Microsoft Announces Xbox One
Posted on May 22, 2013
Microsoft has announced the Xbox One, which is describes as an all-in-one home entertainment system. In addition to games, the device also lets you stream television programming and use Skype. Microsoft said the Xbox One will launch "later this year," which probably means in the fall in time for the holiday shopping season.
The new console is black and has a beveled edge. It is shaped in a 16:9 aspect ratio and has a horizontal orientation for its high-speed Blu-ray disc player. Microsoft says it has an eight-core, x86 processor which will make "lag and load times a thing of the past." Microsoft says you will easily be able to jump from a game to a TV program and vice versa. Other specs include 8 GB of DDR3 RAM and a 500 GB hard drive. It will support 3D stereoscopy and 4K resolution (3840x2160) video.
Microsoft says the Kinect has been upgraded and is more precise and responsive. The Xbox controller is now designed to work with the Kinect and has 40 new technical and design innovations, including vibrating impulse triggers.
Some of the games available for the Xbox One at launch inlcude Forza Motorsport 5, Call of Duty: Ghosts, FIFA 14, Madden NFL 25, EA Sports UFC and Quantum Break.
The Xbox One won't be backwards compatible with the Xbox 360. More details about the Xbox One will be unveiled in June at the Electronic Entertainment Expo.
Microsoft also announced there will be a Halo live-action TV series executive-produced by Steven Spielberg.