After sitting on pins and needles since Microsoft’s Reveal event back in May and the E3 convention in June, gamers everywhere have a better idea of what to expect from the Xbox One gaming console. While we know the release date and price are set for November 2013 and $499 respectively, here’s what to expect in terms of striking new features and under the hood specs.
Microsoft has been zoning in on an all-in-one entertainment console for years and it appears as though its finally come into fruition. Xbox One is easily operable via voice recognition and hand cues, from turning the console on to toggling multiple screens. Simply saying “Xbox on” powers up the One and avoids any unnecessary login hoopla and updates.
From the startup screen, there are a number of options available for the user. By activating Trending, the user receives a snapshot of popular entertainment based on favorites by friends and the entire Xbox One community, including games, music, and TV and movies.
Instant Switching
A voice activated function, Instant Switching lets the user seamlessly switch from live television to gaming to movies. Hand cues such as extending arms towards the Kinect camera and grasping and minimizing in mid-air selects the screen and subsequently minimizes it for the ability to toggle between screens.
Snap Mode
Similar to Instant Switching, Snap Mode lets the user split the screen between multiple entertainment platforms. Yusuf Mehdi demonstrated Snap Mode at the Reveal Event by using the new sports offering as an example. Users can watch their favorite sports game all the while receiving live stat updates for their favorite Fantasy athletes as they watch highlights and update their roster–all on the same screen.
Guide
The Xbox One Guide lets users take advantage of the same voice recognition technology to find, watch, and keep up with their favorite shows. Favorites and Trending likewise lets users navigate through television channels to find shows they love and make it easy to stay up to date with the latest drama.
Skype
Skype will also be available on the Xbox One. The Kinect cam allows for group video calls on TV during Snap Mode. When the notification appears on the top of the screen, all the user has to do is say “Answer call” and Snap Mode will run, splitting the screen between whatever entertainment you’re engaged in as well as your Skype call.
Kinect
All of these new features and operations are made possible with an updated Kinect. The motion-sensing 1080p camera lens understands joint rotations, balance and weight distribution, and even reads the user’s heart beat which of course will be great for using Xbox One for exercise, but it also bolsters the fact that motion-detection for navigating the One will be silky smooth.
Under the Hood
As for the 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.
The Reveal Event and E3 both offered glimpses into the new line of games and entertainment poised to be outfitted for the Xbox One. A pre-recorded Steven Spielberg video introduced a just-for-TV series of Halo, while NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell mentioned a new deal with the NFL and Microsoft to take advantage of the sports offering feature.
Games
New games from EA Sports will include contemporary versions of FIFA, Madden Football, NBA Live, and UFC. Microsoft Studios is all poised to release 15 new games, including 8 completely brand new franchises, which will be made available later this year and debuted at E3 back in June to much fanfare.
One of the most hyped games, though, Microsoft will be releasing exclusively for the Xbox One is the newest member to the Call of Duty franchise, Call of Duty: Ghosts. Using a brand new gaming engine, publisher Activision’s flagship series features stunning graphics and a story line by Academy Award winning screenwriter Paul Haggis. Characters are more personal and intimate, including a new German Shepherd sidekick companion.
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