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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.
©2006 www.xboxnexthd.com
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