Microsoft fans and those in attendance at the Xbox One reveal event yesterday got more than they bargained for. In the days, even weeks, prefacing the event many pundits and Xbox loyalists were under the impression that Microsoft would hardly submit any substantial information on its next-generation console to the public. But they were all wrong. Here’s a comprehensive collection of Xbox One reveal event photos, specs, and highlights that show why Microsoft may have developed the best all-in-one entertainment platform on the market.
Trending
Using the voice-activated command “Xbox, on” the user is directed to a snapshot of popular entertainment including games, music, and TV and movies they might find enjoyable. But this isn’t just a random selection. The Xbox One Trending feature aggregates all-things entertainment the user likes (games, movies, music, etc.) as well as those of friends and the Xbox One community at large, and compiles a list tailored to the user’s interests. No more scouring for the latest television episodes or leaked screenshots. Microsoft wants to throw technology in the back of the closet to nothing stands between the user and their entertainment.
Instant Switching
A combination of voice-activation and hand cues triggers the Instant Switching function. Instant Switching allows the user to toggle between screens. So now, the user can instantly switch between, for example, gaming and live television. The hand cues are easy and take advantage of the upgraded Kinect camera technology. By simply extending your arms, grasping with your hands as if grabbing the corner of the screen, and actually minimizing the screen, the commands translate exactly on the display and minimize the screen to allow for instant switching.
Snap Mode
Similar to Instant Switching, Snap Mode allows the user to juggle multiple entertainment platforms and even integrate them. As an example at the Xbox One event, Yusuf Mehdi showed how the user can watch their favorite sports game while, at the same time on the same screen, tracking their favorite athlete’s stats and highlights as well as updating their fantasy sports team.
Xbox One Guide
Who wants to spend their leisure time by wading through stupid reality TV shows and boring infomercials? Microsoft knows you don’t so it implemented the Xbox One Guide. Similar in interface to Comcast cable, the guide presents TV shows and movies but with a twist. Using the Trending feature and by recognizing the user’s favorites, Xbox One Guide filters out shows you hate, shows you and your friends love, and pulls up episodes in order for you to keep up to date. And this can all be done using voice-recognition and it extends beyond just television to–you guessed it–music, gaming, and movies.
Smart Glass
Smart Glass is a feature that recognizes all of your Microsoft gadgets (Surface, Windows Phone, Xbox One, etc.) and syncs them up lag-free. Microsoft didn’t go in depth on the technology that makes this cross-device so great, but its been alluded to that it uses cloud technology and Kinect to recognize all of the devices.
Skype
Skype was acquired by Microsoft back in 2011 for $8.5 billion and just kind of let it be. But now Microsoft has big plans for Skype and included it in the Xbox One. The user can receive a notification on the top corner of their display and answer the call. The screen then initiates snap mode splitting the screen between whatever entertainment you’re engaged in and pulls up a live feed of whoever the user is conversing with using Kinect.
Specs
All of these new and impressive operations are made possible with an updated Kinect 2.0 motion-sensing camera. The 1080p camera lens understands not only solid objects but joint rotations, balance and weight distribution, and even reads the user’s heart rate which, for those who use Xbox to work out, will be great for utilizing Xbox One for exercise.
As for the hardware specs, as previously thought they were a bit limited but Microsoft did confirm some of the rumors. The Xbox One will run on an 8-core CPU, feature 8GB of RAM, offer 500GB HDD, boast a Blu-ray drive, and connect through a wireless Wi-Fi direct and HDMI input/output.
Games
A sizable collection of games will be made for the next-generation console upon its release, including Call of Duty: Ghosts which received plenty of stage time during the event. Also mentioned were new versions of FIFA, Madden, NBA Live, and UFC by EA Sports. Microsoft Studios will also be releasing 15 games, 8 of which are brand new. There are plenty more in store I’m sure, but this is all that’s been confirmed for now. More is likely to come into fruition during the E3 2013 event in Los Angeles.
