Post: XboxOne Explained
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06-05-2013, 03:41 AM
#1
iTZz Rain
Guest
XBOX ONE NAME
While we all guessed correctly that Sony's next generation console would be called the PS4, but everyone was wrong when we assumed the next Xbox would be called the Xbox 720. Instead, the name is Xbox One.
The company did a great job at keeping the name under wraps, buying up the Xbox8.com, which suggested both Xbox Loop and Xbox Infinity, although the logo mock-up doing the rounds was actually created by Reddit user C-Ron.
There was a possibility the new console would just be known as Xbox, which would almost certainly irritate anyone searching Google for updates on the system when they ended up with 10-year-old information about Microsoft's first console. The official Xbox website received a redesigned Xbox logo this morning - a fact brought to our attention by Joystiq, but that alone wasn't enough to confirm a simpler name.
The logical step forward would be Xbox 720, although the number seemed purely arbitrary now as the 360 moniker of the previous console was supposed to indicate a complete entertainment package. Even so, it was the name most people are using to refer to the new system, and one we ourselves used right up until Microsoft confirmed otherwise.
XBOX ONE RELEASE DATE
Microsoft has confirmed that the Xbox One will ship worldwide by the end of the year. It'll go head-to-head with the PS4 in the UK, confirmed by Sony taking out a full-page advert saying that the PS4 would be available in 2013.
Both the original Xbox and the current 360 both launched in the US in the month of November, so the consensus is that Microsoft will attempt to do the same a third time. Current industry rumours point to the PS4 launching in October, potentially one month ahead of the Xbox One.
The information comes from Colin Sebastian, at Baird Equity Research, who spoke to a lot of companies at CES 2013 involved in games development and distribution. His note for investors, published on GamesIndustry International, outlined the company's beliefs on the next-generation consoles.
This should mean that most of the English-speaking world should have a shiny next-gen console in time for Christmas, presuming of course that Microsoft can manufacture enough to meet demand – and that demand is going to be huge.
XBOX ONE PRICE
Price is something that Microsoft hasn't announced for the console and there are loads of rumours as to how much it will cost. Console manufacturers frequently sell their systems at a loss, making money from online services and games sales over time. Rumours suggest that both the Xbox One and PS4 consoles will ship for around $400 (roughly £250 excluding taxes), but you may have to pay more for your games compared to the current generation. Analysts have predicted that both Sony and Microsoft will charge an additional $10 per title to recoup the added development costs of working with next-generation hardware. In UK terms, this could mean a jump from £50 to £60 on some new releases.
Not having a final price hasn't stopped companies offering the console for pre-order, placing their own price on it. Amazon currently lists the Xbox One for £600, the same price as for the PS4. This seems very high and we think that Amazon has simply gone for the worst-case scenario. Thanks to Amazon's Pre-order Price Guarantee, you're not actually charged anything now until the console's release date, at which point you're charged the current rate.
Blockbuster is just taking a £20 deposit, for now, knocking this off the console's final price when the Xbox One is released. The company isn't even taking a stab at how much it thinks it will cost. Asda and Game are doing the same thing.
Zavvi is currently offering the Xbox One for £400, with a release date of 30th November. However, there's a clear warning saying that both bits of information are subject to change and that if the price of the console drops you'll be charged the lower price.
Ultimately, we think £600 will be too high and £400 sounds about right, although a lower price would, of course, be welcomed.
XBOX ONE PROCESSOR AND GRAPHICS
It’s still far from conclusive, despite the #XboxReveal event being over, but the general consensus is that the Xbox One is using AMD CPU and graphics hardware like Sony’s PS4.
Original rumours had this being developed by IBM, using PowerPC cores, but AMD has stepped in and will be using x86 architecture instead. Using off-the-shelf components should help Microsoft build systems faster than if it was fabricating its own chips, as well as cut down the learning curve for software developers, allowing games to be released faster.
Several rumours have suggested the console will use two GPUs in tandem, although this won’t be a 'CrossFire' configuration like the one you’d find on a gaming PC. Considering complex hardware architectures have been a real failing of many consoles in the past, this seems a little outlandish – simple architecture is easier for developers to get to grips with quickly. The rumours could refer to a powerful main GPU and smaller, media-centric GPU designed to reduce power consumption when watching videos or playing music.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]24933[/ATTACH]
Any new console must be capable of producing 1080p at 30fps, along with the processing overheads required for 3D as well. Rumours of an 7000-series AMD GPU would certainly live up to this, and also place the Xbox One and PS4 on a very close footing in terms of graphical oomph - something that publishers and developers will appreciate.
AMD recently revealed the Radeon HD 7790 graphics card, which is highly likely to form the basis of the next Xbox's GPU. It uses a redesigned chip architecture, something AMD would never normally roll out for a mid-range card half way through its life cycle, and matches many of the leaked specifications mentioned by the Durango development kit documentation.
Unfortunately, rumours that the Xbox One would include backwards compatibility with Xbox 360 discs, thanks to an x86 chip built into the new console, have been proven false. An anonymous post made to Pastebin by an individual claiming to be a software engineer familiar with the new console suggested that a Xenon chip would sit alongside the main AMD APU, letting gamers use their existing discs without having to download the games from Xbox Live and play them through software emulation - however, Microsoft has stated outright that Xbox 360 discs won't be supported on the Xbox One.
XBOX ONE CONTROLLERS
We are of the opinion that the Xbox 360 controller is among the best around, so we're glad that Microsoft hasn't changed the formula too drastically for the Xbox One. Reports that suggested the new pad would be similar, albeit with a few changes, proved right on the money. Kotaku suggested it would keep the button, trigger and analogue control stick layout as the current model, but were incorrect about a touch-sensitive strip, similar to the one shown off by Sony for its PS4 Dual Shock 4 controller, in order to add news ways to interact with games and the Xbox Dashboard.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]24934[/ATTACH]
Microsoft hasn't stopped there, though - it has built deeper Smartglass support into the console, letting you use your smartphone or tablet to display secondary information, and will be shipping the Xbox One with an updated Kinect camera, although we can't say we're too thrilled at the possibility of further experiments into motion-controlled gaming.
XBOX ONE STORAGE AND BLU-RAY
Today, Blu-ray is the most widely used format, and has the capacity to deal with next-gen games, so it was only natural that Microsoft made the switch for the Xbox One. The optical drive will install games to a built-in hard disk, but it was initially unclear whether it will just be used for games and won't let you play Blu-ray films. Microsoft is backing its Xbox video streaming service heavily on the current Xbox 360, so this isn't an outlandish suggestion, but thankfully the company has confirmed you'll be able to play your Blu-ray library through the console.
The Xbox One will include a 500GB mechanical hard disk as standard - something already confirmed by the most recent Durango development kit documentation leak. Although we would have loved to see a sizable SSD, which would be faster, quieter and cooler than a mechanical hard disk, price would almost certainly be a problem.
XBOX ONE DRM AND USED GAMES
Microsoft is looking to take DRM, currently limited to single-use codes that reward customers that buy their games brand new with additional content, to the next level with the Xbox One. According to Wired, games will be installed to the console so gamers no longer need the game disc, but in doing so lock that game to a specific console.
Quite how this is done is currently unclear, as the discs may contain digital watermarks that tie them to a specific one-use code, that once activated would lock the disc to a specific console or Xbox Live account.
An always-on internet connection, used to install system updates and game patches invisibly in the background, doesn't appear to be mandatory. Based on the wording of the leaked Durango development documents, the console could even stay connected in standby mode, ensuring your games are always up to date when you come to play them.
However, there is hope - Polygon has suggested that always-on DRM won't be forced by Microsoft, but will instead be up to the discretion of each publisher. If they choose, they can force players to stay connected, or turn off the DRM completely for single player titles and let them play offline.
XBOX ONE SPEECH RECOGNITION
The Xbox 360 has supported voice control, using the optional Kinect camera, for some time, but the Xbox One will go a step further. Wake on voice, natural language controls and speech-to-text were just a few of the new features listed during the #XboxReveal event.
If you're an iPhone user, you might already be experienced with Natural language - it's the system used by Apple's Siri service to recognise questions, and means gamers are able to quickly reply to messages over Xbox live, resume playback from a particular point if you were half way through a film, or get recommendations on what to play based on their most frequently played game genres.
The next generation Kinect sensor will also be able to detect the number of people in a room based on voice, and suggest appropriate multiplayer games based on how many are looking to play.
XBOX ONE SKYPE
Microsoft now owns Skype, having bought the best-known VoIP provider in 2011, so it makes sense that the service will come integrated in the Xbox One. According to CVG, Skype will be the default communications platform in place of the standard Xbox Live chat system and Messenger service, although Microsoft has yet to confirm it - it's far more likely to appear as a standalone app and sit alongside Microsoft's own messaging service.
XBOX ONE SMART GLASS
Microsoft's current generation Smart Glass system is rather limited, with only a few games supported and a rather simplified UI. It's nbo surprise that the Xbox One will include a beefed-up version of Smart Glass, designed to work closely with Microsoft's own Windows Phone 8 smartphones along with iOS and Android devices. We're still waiting for the first killer app to show us what the system is capable of, but with Nintendo's Wii U already familiarising developers with second screen gaming, that can't be too far away.
CONCLUSION
As you can see, information on the Xbox One is slowly beginning to create a picture of what to expect when the console launches later this year. We'll be updating this article as more information comes to light between now and the launch.
06-05-2013, 10:33 AM
#2
ResistTheSun
In Flames Much?
Originally posted by iTZz
[ATTACH=CONFIG]24932[/ATTACH]
XBOX ONE NAME
While we all guessed correctly that Sony's next generation console would be called the PS4, but everyone was wrong when we assumed the next Xbox would be called the Xbox 720. Instead, the name is Xbox One.
The company did a great job at keeping the name under wraps, buying up the Xbox8.com, which suggested both Xbox Loop and Xbox Infinity, although the logo mock-up doing the rounds was actually created by Reddit user C-Ron.
There was a possibility the new console would just be known as Xbox, which would almost certainly irritate anyone searching Google for updates on the system when they ended up with 10-year-old information about Microsoft's first console. The official Xbox website received a redesigned Xbox logo this morning - a fact brought to our attention by Joystiq, but that alone wasn't enough to confirm a simpler name.
The logical step forward would be Xbox 720, although the number seemed purely arbitrary now as the 360 moniker of the previous console was supposed to indicate a complete entertainment package. Even so, it was the name most people are using to refer to the new system, and one we ourselves used right up until Microsoft confirmed otherwise.
XBOX ONE RELEASE DATE
Microsoft has confirmed that the Xbox One will ship worldwide by the end of the year. It'll go head-to-head with the PS4 in the UK, confirmed by Sony taking out a full-page advert saying that the PS4 would be available in 2013.
Both the original Xbox and the current 360 both launched in the US in the month of November, so the consensus is that Microsoft will attempt to do the same a third time. Current industry rumours point to the PS4 launching in October, potentially one month ahead of the Xbox One.
The information comes from Colin Sebastian, at Baird Equity Research, who spoke to a lot of companies at CES 2013 involved in games development and distribution. His note for investors, published on GamesIndustry International, outlined the company's beliefs on the next-generation consoles.
This should mean that most of the English-speaking world should have a shiny next-gen console in time for Christmas, presuming of course that Microsoft can manufacture enough to meet demand – and that demand is going to be huge.
XBOX ONE PRICE
Price is something that Microsoft hasn't announced for the console and there are loads of rumours as to how much it will cost. Console manufacturers frequently sell their systems at a loss, making money from online services and games sales over time. Rumours suggest that both the Xbox One and PS4 consoles will ship for around $400 (roughly £250 excluding taxes), but you may have to pay more for your games compared to the current generation. Analysts have predicted that both Sony and Microsoft will charge an additional $10 per title to recoup the added development costs of working with next-generation hardware. In UK terms, this could mean a jump from £50 to £60 on some new releases.
Not having a final price hasn't stopped companies offering the console for pre-order, placing their own price on it. Amazon currently lists the Xbox One for £600, the same price as for the PS4. This seems very high and we think that Amazon has simply gone for the worst-case scenario. Thanks to Amazon's Pre-order Price Guarantee, you're not actually charged anything now until the console's release date, at which point you're charged the current rate.
Blockbuster is just taking a £20 deposit, for now, knocking this off the console's final price when the Xbox One is released. The company isn't even taking a stab at how much it thinks it will cost. Asda and Game are doing the same thing.
Zavvi is currently offering the Xbox One for £400, with a release date of 30th November. However, there's a clear warning saying that both bits of information are subject to change and that if the price of the console drops you'll be charged the lower price.
Ultimately, we think £600 will be too high and £400 sounds about right, although a lower price would, of course, be welcomed.
XBOX ONE PROCESSOR AND GRAPHICS
It’s still far from conclusive, despite the #XboxReveal event being over, but the general consensus is that the Xbox One is using AMD CPU and graphics hardware like Sony’s PS4.
Original rumours had this being developed by IBM, using PowerPC cores, but AMD has stepped in and will be using x86 architecture instead. Using off-the-shelf components should help Microsoft build systems faster than if it was fabricating its own chips, as well as cut down the learning curve for software developers, allowing games to be released faster.
Several rumours have suggested the console will use two GPUs in tandem, although this won’t be a 'CrossFire' configuration like the one you’d find on a gaming PC. Considering complex hardware architectures have been a real failing of many consoles in the past, this seems a little outlandish – simple architecture is easier for developers to get to grips with quickly. The rumours could refer to a powerful main GPU and smaller, media-centric GPU designed to reduce power consumption when watching videos or playing music.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]24933[/ATTACH]
Any new console must be capable of producing 1080p at 30fps, along with the processing overheads required for 3D as well. Rumours of an 7000-series AMD GPU would certainly live up to this, and also place the Xbox One and PS4 on a very close footing in terms of graphical oomph - something that publishers and developers will appreciate.
AMD recently revealed the Radeon HD 7790 graphics card, which is highly likely to form the basis of the next Xbox's GPU. It uses a redesigned chip architecture, something AMD would never normally roll out for a mid-range card half way through its life cycle, and matches many of the leaked specifications mentioned by the Durango development kit documentation.
Unfortunately, rumours that the Xbox One would include backwards compatibility with Xbox 360 discs, thanks to an x86 chip built into the new console, have been proven false. An anonymous post made to Pastebin by an individual claiming to be a software engineer familiar with the new console suggested that a Xenon chip would sit alongside the main AMD APU, letting gamers use their existing discs without having to download the games from Xbox Live and play them through software emulation - however, Microsoft has stated outright that Xbox 360 discs won't be supported on the Xbox One.
XBOX ONE CONTROLLERS
We are of the opinion that the Xbox 360 controller is among the best around, so we're glad that Microsoft hasn't changed the formula too drastically for the Xbox One. Reports that suggested the new pad would be similar, albeit with a few changes, proved right on the money. Kotaku suggested it would keep the button, trigger and analogue control stick layout as the current model, but were incorrect about a touch-sensitive strip, similar to the one shown off by Sony for its PS4 Dual Shock 4 controller, in order to add news ways to interact with games and the Xbox Dashboard.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]24934[/ATTACH]
Microsoft hasn't stopped there, though - it has built deeper Smartglass support into the console, letting you use your smartphone or tablet to display secondary information, and will be shipping the Xbox One with an updated Kinect camera, although we can't say we're too thrilled at the possibility of further experiments into motion-controlled gaming.
XBOX ONE STORAGE AND BLU-RAY
Today, Blu-ray is the most widely used format, and has the capacity to deal with next-gen games, so it was only natural that Microsoft made the switch for the Xbox One. The optical drive will install games to a built-in hard disk, but it was initially unclear whether it will just be used for games and won't let you play Blu-ray films. Microsoft is backing its Xbox video streaming service heavily on the current Xbox 360, so this isn't an outlandish suggestion, but thankfully the company has confirmed you'll be able to play your Blu-ray library through the console.
The Xbox One will include a 500GB mechanical hard disk as standard - something already confirmed by the most recent Durango development kit documentation leak. Although we would have loved to see a sizable SSD, which would be faster, quieter and cooler than a mechanical hard disk, price would almost certainly be a problem.
XBOX ONE DRM AND USED GAMES
Microsoft is looking to take DRM, currently limited to single-use codes that reward customers that buy their games brand new with additional content, to the next level with the Xbox One. According to Wired, games will be installed to the console so gamers no longer need the game disc, but in doing so lock that game to a specific console.
Quite how this is done is currently unclear, as the discs may contain digital watermarks that tie them to a specific one-use code, that once activated would lock the disc to a specific console or Xbox Live account.
An always-on internet connection, used to install system updates and game patches invisibly in the background, doesn't appear to be mandatory. Based on the wording of the leaked Durango development documents, the console could even stay connected in standby mode, ensuring your games are always up to date when you come to play them.
However, there is hope - Polygon has suggested that always-on DRM won't be forced by Microsoft, but will instead be up to the discretion of each publisher. If they choose, they can force players to stay connected, or turn off the DRM completely for single player titles and let them play offline.
XBOX ONE SPEECH RECOGNITION
The Xbox 360 has supported voice control, using the optional Kinect camera, for some time, but the Xbox One will go a step further. Wake on voice, natural language controls and speech-to-text were just a few of the new features listed during the #XboxReveal event.
If you're an iPhone user, you might already be experienced with Natural language - it's the system used by Apple's Siri service to recognise questions, and means gamers are able to quickly reply to messages over Xbox live, resume playback from a particular point if you were half way through a film, or get recommendations on what to play based on their most frequently played game genres.
The next generation Kinect sensor will also be able to detect the number of people in a room based on voice, and suggest appropriate multiplayer games based on how many are looking to play.
XBOX ONE SKYPE
Microsoft now owns Skype, having bought the best-known VoIP provider in 2011, so it makes sense that the service will come integrated in the Xbox One. According to CVG, Skype will be the default communications platform in place of the standard Xbox Live chat system and Messenger service, although Microsoft has yet to confirm it - it's far more likely to appear as a standalone app and sit alongside Microsoft's own messaging service.
XBOX ONE SMART GLASS
Microsoft's current generation Smart Glass system is rather limited, with only a few games supported and a rather simplified UI. It's nbo surprise that the Xbox One will include a beefed-up version of Smart Glass, designed to work closely with Microsoft's own Windows Phone 8 smartphones along with iOS and Android devices. We're still waiting for the first killer app to show us what the system is capable of, but with Nintendo's Wii U already familiarising developers with second screen gaming, that can't be too far away.
CONCLUSION
As you can see, information on the Xbox One is slowly beginning to create a picture of what to expect when the console launches later this year. We'll be updating this article as more information comes to light between now and the launch.
XBOX ONE NAME
While we all guessed correctly that Sony's next generation console would be called the PS4, but everyone was wrong when we assumed the next Xbox would be called the Xbox 720. Instead, the name is Xbox One.
The company did a great job at keeping the name under wraps, buying up the Xbox8.com, which suggested both Xbox Loop and Xbox Infinity, although the logo mock-up doing the rounds was actually created by Reddit user C-Ron.
There was a possibility the new console would just be known as Xbox, which would almost certainly irritate anyone searching Google for updates on the system when they ended up with 10-year-old information about Microsoft's first console. The official Xbox website received a redesigned Xbox logo this morning - a fact brought to our attention by Joystiq, but that alone wasn't enough to confirm a simpler name.
The logical step forward would be Xbox 720, although the number seemed purely arbitrary now as the 360 moniker of the previous console was supposed to indicate a complete entertainment package. Even so, it was the name most people are using to refer to the new system, and one we ourselves used right up until Microsoft confirmed otherwise.
XBOX ONE RELEASE DATE
Microsoft has confirmed that the Xbox One will ship worldwide by the end of the year. It'll go head-to-head with the PS4 in the UK, confirmed by Sony taking out a full-page advert saying that the PS4 would be available in 2013.
Both the original Xbox and the current 360 both launched in the US in the month of November, so the consensus is that Microsoft will attempt to do the same a third time. Current industry rumours point to the PS4 launching in October, potentially one month ahead of the Xbox One.
The information comes from Colin Sebastian, at Baird Equity Research, who spoke to a lot of companies at CES 2013 involved in games development and distribution. His note for investors, published on GamesIndustry International, outlined the company's beliefs on the next-generation consoles.
This should mean that most of the English-speaking world should have a shiny next-gen console in time for Christmas, presuming of course that Microsoft can manufacture enough to meet demand – and that demand is going to be huge.
XBOX ONE PRICE
Price is something that Microsoft hasn't announced for the console and there are loads of rumours as to how much it will cost. Console manufacturers frequently sell their systems at a loss, making money from online services and games sales over time. Rumours suggest that both the Xbox One and PS4 consoles will ship for around $400 (roughly £250 excluding taxes), but you may have to pay more for your games compared to the current generation. Analysts have predicted that both Sony and Microsoft will charge an additional $10 per title to recoup the added development costs of working with next-generation hardware. In UK terms, this could mean a jump from £50 to £60 on some new releases.
Not having a final price hasn't stopped companies offering the console for pre-order, placing their own price on it. Amazon currently lists the Xbox One for £600, the same price as for the PS4. This seems very high and we think that Amazon has simply gone for the worst-case scenario. Thanks to Amazon's Pre-order Price Guarantee, you're not actually charged anything now until the console's release date, at which point you're charged the current rate.
Blockbuster is just taking a £20 deposit, for now, knocking this off the console's final price when the Xbox One is released. The company isn't even taking a stab at how much it thinks it will cost. Asda and Game are doing the same thing.
Zavvi is currently offering the Xbox One for £400, with a release date of 30th November. However, there's a clear warning saying that both bits of information are subject to change and that if the price of the console drops you'll be charged the lower price.
Ultimately, we think £600 will be too high and £400 sounds about right, although a lower price would, of course, be welcomed.
XBOX ONE PROCESSOR AND GRAPHICS
It’s still far from conclusive, despite the #XboxReveal event being over, but the general consensus is that the Xbox One is using AMD CPU and graphics hardware like Sony’s PS4.
Original rumours had this being developed by IBM, using PowerPC cores, but AMD has stepped in and will be using x86 architecture instead. Using off-the-shelf components should help Microsoft build systems faster than if it was fabricating its own chips, as well as cut down the learning curve for software developers, allowing games to be released faster.
Several rumours have suggested the console will use two GPUs in tandem, although this won’t be a 'CrossFire' configuration like the one you’d find on a gaming PC. Considering complex hardware architectures have been a real failing of many consoles in the past, this seems a little outlandish – simple architecture is easier for developers to get to grips with quickly. The rumours could refer to a powerful main GPU and smaller, media-centric GPU designed to reduce power consumption when watching videos or playing music.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]24933[/ATTACH]
Any new console must be capable of producing 1080p at 30fps, along with the processing overheads required for 3D as well. Rumours of an 7000-series AMD GPU would certainly live up to this, and also place the Xbox One and PS4 on a very close footing in terms of graphical oomph - something that publishers and developers will appreciate.
AMD recently revealed the Radeon HD 7790 graphics card, which is highly likely to form the basis of the next Xbox's GPU. It uses a redesigned chip architecture, something AMD would never normally roll out for a mid-range card half way through its life cycle, and matches many of the leaked specifications mentioned by the Durango development kit documentation.
Unfortunately, rumours that the Xbox One would include backwards compatibility with Xbox 360 discs, thanks to an x86 chip built into the new console, have been proven false. An anonymous post made to Pastebin by an individual claiming to be a software engineer familiar with the new console suggested that a Xenon chip would sit alongside the main AMD APU, letting gamers use their existing discs without having to download the games from Xbox Live and play them through software emulation - however, Microsoft has stated outright that Xbox 360 discs won't be supported on the Xbox One.
XBOX ONE CONTROLLERS
We are of the opinion that the Xbox 360 controller is among the best around, so we're glad that Microsoft hasn't changed the formula too drastically for the Xbox One. Reports that suggested the new pad would be similar, albeit with a few changes, proved right on the money. Kotaku suggested it would keep the button, trigger and analogue control stick layout as the current model, but were incorrect about a touch-sensitive strip, similar to the one shown off by Sony for its PS4 Dual Shock 4 controller, in order to add news ways to interact with games and the Xbox Dashboard.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]24934[/ATTACH]
Microsoft hasn't stopped there, though - it has built deeper Smartglass support into the console, letting you use your smartphone or tablet to display secondary information, and will be shipping the Xbox One with an updated Kinect camera, although we can't say we're too thrilled at the possibility of further experiments into motion-controlled gaming.
XBOX ONE STORAGE AND BLU-RAY
Today, Blu-ray is the most widely used format, and has the capacity to deal with next-gen games, so it was only natural that Microsoft made the switch for the Xbox One. The optical drive will install games to a built-in hard disk, but it was initially unclear whether it will just be used for games and won't let you play Blu-ray films. Microsoft is backing its Xbox video streaming service heavily on the current Xbox 360, so this isn't an outlandish suggestion, but thankfully the company has confirmed you'll be able to play your Blu-ray library through the console.
The Xbox One will include a 500GB mechanical hard disk as standard - something already confirmed by the most recent Durango development kit documentation leak. Although we would have loved to see a sizable SSD, which would be faster, quieter and cooler than a mechanical hard disk, price would almost certainly be a problem.
XBOX ONE DRM AND USED GAMES
Microsoft is looking to take DRM, currently limited to single-use codes that reward customers that buy their games brand new with additional content, to the next level with the Xbox One. According to Wired, games will be installed to the console so gamers no longer need the game disc, but in doing so lock that game to a specific console.
Quite how this is done is currently unclear, as the discs may contain digital watermarks that tie them to a specific one-use code, that once activated would lock the disc to a specific console or Xbox Live account.
An always-on internet connection, used to install system updates and game patches invisibly in the background, doesn't appear to be mandatory. Based on the wording of the leaked Durango development documents, the console could even stay connected in standby mode, ensuring your games are always up to date when you come to play them.
However, there is hope - Polygon has suggested that always-on DRM won't be forced by Microsoft, but will instead be up to the discretion of each publisher. If they choose, they can force players to stay connected, or turn off the DRM completely for single player titles and let them play offline.
XBOX ONE SPEECH RECOGNITION
The Xbox 360 has supported voice control, using the optional Kinect camera, for some time, but the Xbox One will go a step further. Wake on voice, natural language controls and speech-to-text were just a few of the new features listed during the #XboxReveal event.
If you're an iPhone user, you might already be experienced with Natural language - it's the system used by Apple's Siri service to recognise questions, and means gamers are able to quickly reply to messages over Xbox live, resume playback from a particular point if you were half way through a film, or get recommendations on what to play based on their most frequently played game genres.
The next generation Kinect sensor will also be able to detect the number of people in a room based on voice, and suggest appropriate multiplayer games based on how many are looking to play.
XBOX ONE SKYPE
Microsoft now owns Skype, having bought the best-known VoIP provider in 2011, so it makes sense that the service will come integrated in the Xbox One. According to CVG, Skype will be the default communications platform in place of the standard Xbox Live chat system and Messenger service, although Microsoft has yet to confirm it - it's far more likely to appear as a standalone app and sit alongside Microsoft's own messaging service.
XBOX ONE SMART GLASS
Microsoft's current generation Smart Glass system is rather limited, with only a few games supported and a rather simplified UI. It's nbo surprise that the Xbox One will include a beefed-up version of Smart Glass, designed to work closely with Microsoft's own Windows Phone 8 smartphones along with iOS and Android devices. We're still waiting for the first killer app to show us what the system is capable of, but with Nintendo's Wii U already familiarising developers with second screen gaming, that can't be too far away.
CONCLUSION
As you can see, information on the Xbox One is slowly beginning to create a picture of what to expect when the console launches later this year. We'll be updating this article as more information comes to light between now and the launch.
Xbox.com has a great piece which is a good read posted about it here.
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May only be a design point of view but all adds up.
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