Xbox Next HD: Another Leap on Microsoft’s Gaming Consoles

The biggest supplier of operating systems and software, and one of the consistently listed companies in the Fortune 500 list of companies, Microsoft, has taken another leap ahead in the arena of gaming consoles with three versions of its Xbox 2: the Xbox Next, the Xbox Next HD and the Xbox Next PC. Xbox Next and Xbox Next HD are launched in autumn 2005 and the third, the PC version, was scheduled to launch in autumn 2006. By now, Sony’s PlayStation is almost a regular feature in the population’s living room. To meet this challenge and compete with the existing game consoles, Microsoft decides to give a facelift to its home entertainment products with this Xbox range.

The Xbox Next is without a hard drive, thus cutting costs on the basic unit. However, the following model, the Xbox Next HD has a hard drive unit and offers added functionality (probable media center features) based on this. The extra attributes on this Xbox Next HD take advantage of its massive storage capacity. The last in the range, the Xbox Next PC is an entry-level computer that runs Windows and regular Windows software but with Xbox compatibility. It will work best if connected to a high-definition TV or PC monitor and includes CD Burner, wireless keyboard, mouse and controller.

The Xbox is Microsoft’s sixth generation video game console, first released in 2001 and is its debut venture in the video game console domain. To stay in competition, Microsoft charted a strategic launch of its Xbox versions so that the world gets to savor the flavor of this new-feel Xbox 2 versions before Sony’s PlayStation 3 hits the stores. Both Sony’s PS3 and Microsoft’s Xbox Next PC was scheduled for a 2006 release. And Microsoft felt that it can take into advantage a possible shortage of Sony’s PS3 through the holiday season. Time will say which of these reigns longer in the hearts of the gaming public worldwide.

Apart from the PC version, the other versions, Xbox Next and Xbox Next HD, are basically the same; only that the latter offers more utility functions with its hard drive. Users of the Xbox Next HD can store games, music, photos and other playback media files into its drive space for later use. Added functionalities of the Xbox Next HD were anticipated to be anything from Xbox backward compatibility to media jukebox functions or TIVO-style video recording.

An online poll was conducted on Xbox Boomtown’s website regarding the mass preferences of Microsoft’s Xbox 2 versions. The votes, so far, are in favor of the Xbox Next HD with a leading 40%. Close in tow is Xbox Next PC, bagging 35% of the polls. And these Xbox 2 versions are all competitively priced to make a mark in the public mind and to find a permanent place in the arena of video game consoles. So far, so good; however, gamers will take a final call on its future.

 




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