By Claire Reilly
Microsoft has announced the launch of the newest iteration of its Xbox gaming console, unveiling the Xbox One in the United States overnight. The device boasts increased processing power, updated architecture and cloud-based gaming functionality as well as a new user interface featuring voice controls and multi-tasking capabilities
Microsoft is also promising users that they will be able to watch Live TV through the console itself, though the launch event was heavy on information for US consumers and the finer details on how this feature will work in the Australian market remain unclear.
Speaking at the launch, Don Mattrick, president of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business, was busy spruiking the Xbox One as an “all-in-one” gaming device.
“Team Xbox is on a new mission: to design and build an all-in-one system to light up a new generation of games, TV and entertainment,” he said. “It must be built for the future, with hardware, software and services that put you at the centre. And at its very core it must be simple instant and complete.
“Today, we’re thrilled to unveil the ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system — the one with the power to create experiences that look and feel like nothing else, the one that makes your TV more intelligent, the one system for a new generation.”
That all-in-one unit will be made up of several parts. The new Xbox One console itself features a 500GB hard drive, Blu-ray disc player, HDMI and Wi-Fi connectivity, three USB 3.0 ports and an eight-core, x86 processing power. Microsoft has also updated and redesigned its Kinect motion and image capture device to include an HD 1080p camera that captures video at 30 frames per second, while the Xbox controller has been “enhanced with more than 40 technical and design innovations” including a new D-Pad and an infrared LED on the front that can be detected by Kinect.
Importantly for many users, the Xbox One does not require constantly internet access, though this is recommended to take full advantage of its features.
The new Xbox One console, controller and Kinect.
Microsoft used the launch to demonstrate a number of new features on the Xbox One, including Skype video calling, voice controls and gesture controls. Using voice recognition to arrive at the home screen (with the command “Xbox, On”), the device remembers recent activities for quick relaunching and allows the user to switch between screens such as Movies and Internet Explorer with short voice commands.
These screens can also “Snap” two applications together, allowing concurrent gaming and Skype calling for example. A Trending screen also shows popular games and movies to users, based on the information accessed through the cloud, showing recent activity in the Xbox Live community.
Gaming on the Xbox One also utilises the cloud, with the device suggesting suitable gaming partners from the Xbox community and a “Game DVR” allowing users to record their in-game action highlights and share them with friends.
Microsoft hinted that it will have more information on the Xbox One at E3 in Los Angeles in June. While there’s no word yet on pricing and availability, a local Microsoft spokesperson said, “Xbox One will launch in markets around the world later this year” and that the brand will have “more to share later”.
EB Games has already begun pre-orders of the Xbox One, with an “placeholder price” of $899 advertised on its online store.