Xbox 360 Groundbreaking News
Seems the talk of the town is the Next Xbox 360 for 2008/9
As many will know, I’ve been saying for some time that MS Xbox-Div would most likely release a new style of console come late 2009 .. .or early 2010.
Well it seems that it could be as early as very late 2008 or early 2009, when a new model, which will include a HD-DVD, bigger HDD storage and several other newer functions, will be unleashed into the wild world of gaming.
From all reports, it seems Toshiba is working closely with MS Xbox-Div to produce a new version of the Xbox 360. This follows Toshiba’s recent announcement to drop the price of its 3 main HD-DVD players as well as look at other areas of support for MS Xbox-Div.
The new Xbox 360 is expected to be released at the CES show in Vegas in 2009, or late in 2008, at an event yet to be determined. This of course works in with their (MS Xbox-Div) to move well into the Home TV market via the iPTV. With MS Xbox-Div now working with Toshiba, the two are reportedly working on a unified chassis that will allow an Xbox 360 (of sorts) to be ‘slotted’ into a 40″ Toshiba HD-TV ‘bay’ . . .
Bill Gates was recorded as saying he (MS) wanted the xbox 360 to be a “Set-top-Box” by the end of 2007 or 2008, so this is most likely the end result of these thoughts, and would fit in well with that notion.
For the full guff on this ground breaking news, here’s some info from SmartHouse and what follows, is part of a 3 page story on Toshiba and MS Xbox-Div collaborative ventures, include recent announcements by JB Hi-Fi to support the HD-DVD format in all its stores, and working with Toshiba to sell its up-coming range of HD-TV’s. It makes for a very interesting and thought provoking read.
UPDATE: David Richards stands up for his work after criticism of article/s
Source: SmartHouse
Author: David Richards
Posted: Friday 19/10/2007
Visit Source Site: here
Toshiba Working With Microsoft On New Entertainment Xbox
“Microsoft, according to insiders at Toshiba owner of the HD DVD patents, claim that Microsoft is working on a brand new Xbox that will incorporate not only a new HD DVD drive but a large hard drive and new entertainment software that is a spin off from its struggling media centre offering.
The device is being developed in response to the PS3 driving sales of games software and Blu-ray content in several countries. A recent Sony Brand Wave study conducted in five countries including the UK, Australia, France Germany and Spain revealed that a key reason that consumers are buying a PS3 is because it includes a Blu-ray player.
Recent GFK research reveals that the recently launched Xbox 360 HD DVD attach player is not selling well. Another factor that impacted early sales of the Xbox 360 was that Microsoft failed to include a HDMI port – omitted because Microsoft wanted to cut down the costs of the console in an effort to compete up against the PS3.
The new Xbox device, while allowing for extensive gaming capability, will be positioned as an entertainment hub that includes gaming and extensive wireless networking capability as well as 1080p playback. There is also talk of it including a dual HD TV tuner and EPG capability and a docking port for an MP3 player. For Toshiba, the device is critical if it is to be successful in beating Sony and the Blu-ray promoters.
Also being discussed is the development of an open standard docking port similar to the 17 pin iPod port. This would allow all manufacturers to use the same port for docking.
A senior Toshiba executive in Singapore told SmartHouse that “An Xbox with a built in HD DVD drive is critical. They and we are working on it. It also has to be more than a gaming machine. Microsoft recognise this. A version of the device may also be sold under the Toshiba brand name”.
Scott Browning, the Marketing Director of JB HiFi Australia’s second largest consumer electronics retailer said, “The device is a lay down mis`ere and essential for the HD DVD camp. We are told that one is coming. The PS3 has been extremely successful for Sony in getting Blu-ray off the ground and for Microsoft, the omission of a built in HD DVD player is set to hurt sales going forward as consumers are aware that the PS3 comes with a Blu-ray player.”
Both Toshiba and Microsoft have also explored the possibility of a new open standard chassis system that allows an Xbox to be slotted into a HD TV screen over 40-inch. The open standard bays will allow hard drives to be upgraded and expanded similar to the way that users can upgrade the hard drive on a PC.”
Filed under: Console gaming, Microsoft Games, Xbox 360 3rd Party Games, Xbox 360 Game Previews Tagged: | 360 hd-dvd, built-in hd-dvd, falcon, groundbreaking news, hardware, hd-dvd, jasper, latest xbox news., new 360, new console, new tech, new technolody, new xbox 360, smarthouse., tech news, Xbox 360 News1, xbox news, xbox360
Good piece.