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Xbox 360 Gets HD-DVD External Add-On |
by Coola
1/4/2006 |
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Gates Outlines Vision for the Digital Lifestyle and Showcases New Products and Technologies From Microsoft
CES keynote address features first broad demonstration of Windows Vista; new Xbox 360 peripherals, mobile devices and Windows Live services.
Highlighting key consumer products such as Xbox 360 and offering the first broad demonstration of the consumer features of Windows Vista, Microsoft Corp. Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates showed how the company is delivering on its vision for a digital lifestyle where devices, services and applications work together seamlessly. In his 10th annual keynote address at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Gates demonstrated how Microsoft® Windows Vista, Xbox 360, new mobile devices and the emerging wave of software-based services will deliver more connected and richly personalized experiences for consumers.
In his keynote, Gates said that the consumer electronics industry is poised to deliver a quantum leap forward in rich, interactive, high-definition experiences. “Technology has revolutionized how we listen to music, watch TV, play games, communicate, and manage and share personal information,” he said. “In the years ahead, further exciting innovations will unify the software, hardware and services in people’s lives, offering them even richer, more engaging and deeply connected experiences.”
Windows Vista Unveiled
In the first broad demonstration of Windows Vista for consumers, Gates showed how Microsoft’s next-generation operating system, due later this year, will offer customers powerful new advances in security, search capability and digital entertainment. He highlighted how Windows Vista will bring clarity to customers’ digital world and help them easily accomplish everyday tasks, instantly find what they want, enjoy the latest in entertainment, keep their personal information safe, and stay connected at home or on the go.
He highlighted some of the most compelling consumer-oriented features of Windows Vista, including a sleek user interface, richer multitasking experiences and deep integration of search throughout the operating system. He also showed the new Windows Photo Gallery, which will make managing and working with digital photos easier.
He showcased the most advanced Windows games platform for everyone from casual players to hard-core gamers, including stunning graphics capabilities, by premiering Microsoft Games Studios’ forthcoming “Flight Simulator X,” the most realistic flight simulator in the franchise’s 25-year history.
Gates was joined onstage by MTV Networks’ Music Group President Van Toffler to showcase the forthcoming URGE digital music service, which is designed to bring people’s emotional connections with music to the forefront of the digital entertainment experience. URGE will give users of Windows Media Player 11 instant access to more than 2 million songs from major and independent labels as well as exclusive MTV Networks programming and content.
Demonstrating the Windows Media Center capabilities of Windows Vista, Gates cited growing momentum around the platform by announcing that more than 6.5 million Windows XP Media Center Edition-based PCs have been sold from more than 130 computer manufacturers worldwide.
In another sign of momentum for Windows XP Media Center 2005, Microsoft announced that Comedy Central has joined a group of 110 Online Spotlight content partners and that forthcoming Media Center PCs will include CableCARD support for high-definition programming without a set-top box. This will allow users to plug their digital cable signal directly into their PC to watch and record premium cable content, including high-definition programming, without a set-top box.
Xbox 360 Leads the Way in High-Definition Entertainment
Just a month after the global launch of the new Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, Gates discussed the product’s strong momentum in delivering high-definition hardware, games and digital entertainment experiences. Xbox 360 is on track to be the fastest-selling video game console ever, forecast to ship between 4.5 million and 5.5 million units worldwide by the end of June 2006.
Gates noted that Xbox 360 has also become a powerful application for high-definition television, adding that nine out of 10 Xbox 360 owners currently own or intend to purchase a high-definition television set.* He announced that more than 50 new high-definition Xbox 360 games will be available by June 2006.
Building on Xbox 360 leadership in high-definition experiences, the company announced plans to deliver a new Xbox 360 external HD DVD drive in 2006. The new drive will offer millions of Xbox 360 owners the ability to easily enjoy HD DVD movies and will provide consumers with even more choices for experiencing high-definition content, in either physical or digital form.
Using Xbox 360 and the Xbox Live service today, consumers are already able to access high-definition entertainment such as Xbox Live Arcade titles, game demos and high-definition movie trailers. Consumers can also use their Xbox 360 system to access high-definition television and movies from their Windows XP-based Media Center PC.
Gates’ keynote also showcased the momentum behind Xbox Live, announcing that more than half of all Xbox 360 owners are already connected to the online games and entertainment service, which boasts a worldwide community of more than 2 million members. He demonstrated Electronic Arts Inc.’s forthcoming EA SPORTS “Fight Night Round 3,” scheduled to be available in February 2006, and announced that a free, playable high-definition demo of the game is now available at the Xbox Live Marketplace, a one-stop digital download center where consumers can access high-definition games, music and movie content from leading industry partners.
Staying Connected With Powerful Windows Mobile-Based Devices
Gates highlighted the Treo 700w, an innovative new device that brings Palm Inc.’s celebrated ease of use to the Windows Mobile® platform. The Treo 700w, available exclusively on the Verizon Wireless network, combines a great mobile phone with easy access to wireless e-mail and business applications, giving professionals more ways to stay connected while on the go. The Treo 700w is available at retail Jan. 5.
The keynote also included a demonstration of how future technologies will transform the way people manage information in the office or on the go, communicate with
co-workers in richer and more immersive ways, and be more productive wherever they are.
Continuing his keynote, Gates showcased Microsoft’s advancements in mobile entertainment by unveiling next-generation Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Centers from Toshiba Corp., Tatung Co. and LG Electronics. The new devices, scheduled to be available this year, will feature extensive battery life, support for new high-resolution and widescreen (16:9) displays, direct audio/video recording, gaming, FM tuners and direct connections to digital cameras.
New Content to Energize the Digital Lifestyle
Gates’ keynote address highlighted a number of new alliances that use Microsoft software to provide broader and richer content to consumers. He showed Starz Entertainment Group’s new Vongo video download service, which offers more choices and great experiences for people using Windows Mobile-based devices. Vongo subscribers will enjoy unlimited access to more than 1,000 first-run movies and video selections as well as the streaming Starz TV channel.
Microsoft announced a broad agreement with DIRECTV Inc. that will open up new ways for consumers to enjoy their digital media in the networked home and on portable devices. Microsoft and DIRECTV will work together to enable digital content to flow between Windows-based PCs, DIRECTV devices, PlaysForSure-based portable media devices and Xbox 360.
It was also announced that Microsoft and British Sky Broadcasting (Sky), the leading pay-TV provider in the U.K. and Ireland, plans to create a Windows Media Center version of Sky’s forthcoming broadband content service, Sky by broadband. The service will enable millions of Sky TV customers to access video content from their PC, including hundreds of movies and sports clips.
Windows Live Services Deliver Rich, Seamless Experiences
In the area of software services, Gates previewed new Windows Live offerings, designed to bring together relationships, information and interests that are important to people on PCs and a wide range of devices. He unveiled two new telephones from Royal Philips Electronics and Uniden America Corp., designed to work with the voice communications capabilities in the upcoming Windows Live Messenger, the soon-to-be-released successor to MSN Messenger, which has more than 200 million active accounts around the world. The new phones will allow consumers to make calls from a cordless handset connected to both the Windows Live Messenger service and public telephone networks. The Philips VOIP433 Dual Phone will debut in Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America in 2006. The Uniden WIN 1200 Digital Cordless Phone will offer people another option for making calls over the Internet and will be available in North America in spring 2006.
Gates also previewed forthcoming services for Windows Live and Windows Vista that will help people find and manage their entertainment on the Windows-based Media Center PC or Microsoft TV IPTV Edition-powered set-top box from almost anywhere in the world. TV gadgets on Live.com will enable people to find, manage and share personalized TV recommendations as well as remotely schedule recordings on their Media Center PCs.
Gates concluded his keynote address by looking back on the great momentum of 2005 in consumer technologies and outlining key trends that will shape future innovation in the consumer electronics industry.
“The incredible momentum around all these new products and services shows that the digital lifestyle has truly gone mainstream this year,” Gates said. “Now it’s time to bring together the devices, software and services in people’s lives and take all these experiences to the next level.”
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
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XBOX365 Says
Guess that puts to rest concerns about Microsoft implementing HD-DVD's into the Xbox 360 itself. Hip hip hooray!
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Related News, Images & Links
Features & Interviews
» Feature : E3 And Gamer Dissapointment on Sunday, 7 05 2006» Feature : The World Embraces Xbox 360 As E3 Draws Near on Wednesday, 19 04 2006» Feature : Origen Revealed on Tuesday, 27 09 2005» Feature : In Response To Peter Moore%27s Interview on 1up on Thursday, 19 01 2006» Feature : Xbox 360 in Japan: Who Cares? on Tuesday, 12 07 2005» Feature : Why Xvid, Mkv and Subtitle Support Are Vital For The Xbox 360 on Monday, 2 07 2007» Feature : Microsoft Unveils Wave of New Products and Services at CES on Sunday, 7 01 2007» Feature : Microsoft Announcements @ German Games Convention on Wednesday, 23 08 2006» Feature : Xbox 360 Inventory Surge + Spring Games Lineup on Tuesday, 21 03 2006» Feature : Xbox 360 Launch Lineup Announced on Tuesday, 4 10 2005» Feature : The X06 Summary on Wednesday, 27 09 2006» Feature : Full Dashboard Update List Revealed With Video on Friday, 30 11 2007» Feature : E3 News Gallore For Xbox 360 on Tuesday, 9 05 2006» Feature : Fall Update: Browse Friends Lists of Other Xbox Live Members on Monday, 26 11 2007» Feature : Xbox365 Lost Planet: Extreme Condition Giveaway on Sunday, 7 01 2007» Feature : Ready To Be Broke? Xbox 360 E3 07 Games Round-Up on Tuesday, 10 07 2007» Feature : Opening the Lid on Xbox 360 on Monday, 12 09 2005» Feature : Xbox 360 To Offer Hi-Def TV Shows Via Live [Update] on Monday, 6 11 2006» Feature : Xbox 360 Pricing and Details Blowout on Wednesday, 17 08 2005» Feature : Japanese Publisher Love For 360 ...Finally on Monday, 25 07 2005» Feature : Xbox 360 Widens The Gap Over PS3 on Thursday, 17 01 2008» Feature : Monster Xbox 360 Faceplate Collection on Tuesday, 4 07 2006» Feature : Wanted - Classic RPGs On Xbox 360 on Friday, 9 12 2005» Feature : When’s The Price Falling? on Monday, 25 06 2007» Feature : Introducing - The Xbox Live Diamond Card on Thursday, 22 12 2005» Feature : Xbox Live Reaches 6 Million Members on Tuesday, 6 03 2007» Feature : Xbox 360 Day One Launch Line-Up on Monday, 14 11 2005» Feature : Xbox Info Roundup From Microsoft on Monday, 12 06 2006» Interview : Xbox Support Group Program Manager on Sunday, 10 09 2006
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grandaddygame
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Bill's working hard to Muscle into the home intertainment business.
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without a vision the people fail
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hiddengamer7
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Yea, but I am still wondering where it will go?
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hiddengamer7
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Will it fit with a USB connector, or the HDD slot?
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Beefcake
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Great! Another reason for me to give my money to Microsoft.
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Dokham
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So it doesn't play games? That sucks!
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kurnlx
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Are you drunk or something?
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Mad Gamer 2
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Originally Posted by tp4ever84 Quote: m sure the hd dvd drive they offere will be a lot cheaper then one you could buy seperately. I expect prices of a seperate hd dvd player to be around a thousand dollars when it appears on the market. And guess how much the first BluRay drives gonna cost when they hit the market ? More or less 2 G's(thousand dollars), give or take. HD media is still too far within its infancy as wel as being too expensive to commit incorporating them into game consoles that have heated battles in the game market. And yes, if HD-DVD does in fact fail...its just up to MS to stop making the external drives than risk implementing them in. This year Sony will either float easy with BluRay ,or sink quicker than a 50 ton car in a kiddie pool. Originally Posted by beerBelly Quote: ems like a smart plan to me....why wait for the movie industry to decide...this gives 360 owners lots of options... It's a very smart plan, but Sony will decide who wins as the movie industry will move on to whatever format that loses. But being a good sport that I am, I hope that Sony has 'damage control' on red alert...this gen's console war is goona be really messy this time around. |
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isotope313
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Its a good move. MS is stayin flexible in case the HD-DVD or the Blu-ray become the next mass medium.i wouldnt be surprised to see a blu-ray add on if thats the disc of the future. BTW, does anyone know if the PS3 can play ordinary DVD's and CD's?
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hyperhyper
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I'm curious to see what the price is. My guess that the prices of the Xbox 360 Premium Package + the HD-DVD addon will come close to what the PS3 though I suspect the PS3 might be slightly higher. Then the whole arguement that the Xbox 360 is cheaper will be thrown out the Window. And if the Xbox 360 is shipped with a HD-DVD (as some people have expressed interest in seeing), I think they would be screwing their established customer base by offering 3 variations of the Xbox 360.
I can understand why MS wanted to rush the console out to market early and why it was so important to get the frantic x-mas people out but even that backfired on them because there were not enough units to sell. I think a more sound strategy would have been to wait till Jan 5th or something to release the 360. Why you ask?
1) They could have had more time to test the console to work out the heating issues (and thus avoid negative press)
2) More time for developers to work on the games so the launch could have been seen as GREAT instead of GOOD. This would have definitely helped in Japan. DOA 4 would have been available at least and all the delays would not have sparked all the jokes.
3) They could have market tested the feasibility of having 2 packages and they may have realized that the "Core" package is something that not many people want. Go with the model that had a HD and then your base for development would have been much stronger.
What the Xbox 360 needs now is a couple of killer games to come out to revive the interest in the game. Halo 3 will once again be the game that saves the day and it needs to come out BEFORE the PS3. I don't think that releasing it on the same day as the PS3 release is a good idea. They needs to spent another couple of milliion on Marketing like they did with Halo 2 and have those midnight releases (I waited in line and it was actually kind of fun but I only played Halo 2 probably about 3 times before I got bored - blame it on Half Life 2. ;) Personally I'm not a fan of Halo as I have a pretty decent PC and we all know how the FPS on the PC compare to the FPS on consoles (implement a mouse/keyboard combo and I may play them a bit more).
Another issue is that I hope gets resolved soon is the whole HD-DVD vs Blu-Ray thing. It would be hard for me to conceive of MS saying "we are going with Blu-Ray" because of the whole "war" thing but the people who will end up getting burned by this is the public. The market will decide but why can't they have decided on a format ahead of time? DVD-R vs DVD+R, etc.. it's annoying to be honest unless you have a DVD-R / DVD+R burner. Personally I don't feel like going out and buying new burners to replace the other ones I bought. Likewise, I don't feel like having 2 High Def readers of different formats in my house. I'll make my choice on what I will buy when the PS3 comes out.
Anyone else have mixed feelings on this HD-DVD announcement?
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steve9999
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I am just wondering will it be released b4 or after hd dvd movies are available and if before how long we will have to wait for the addon to become useful.
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jason0899
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Am I going to have to change my messenger again for Windows Live? I hope it has a keep-the-same-contacts abiility. I found everything in the article interesting except for the HD DVD part for 360. I don't have an HDTV, there are no HD DVD movies out, and the HD DVD drive doesn't effect games, so I really don't care. The other stuff about messenger and Vista were interesting though.
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djnatasisgod
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Why? Just another attempt to make money! Should have made it standard, then MS would have won the format war. I hope you guys read where they might do a Blu Ray device add on to. Oh, and the dude that said Blu Ray players were going to go for 2000 big ones is full of crap. $299.99 and up, you get a choice high end or low end!!
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PornStar_71
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Bottom line is a format war is the best thing that can possibly have happened with Hi-Def DVD being pushed out as fast as it is. Lets face it, DVD is still a pretty new product with VHS only being phased out a couple of years ago. Regular DVD still has a long shelf life to go and I personally think they are pushing the Hi-Def DVD a little early. With that being said a format war is perfect at this point in the game as I for one am not going to invest alot of money into Hi-Def DVD for at least a few more years. Competition drives companies to create better products plain and simple. Just look at what the Videogame wars have done for gaming. I cant belive that I am playing a console at times when playing Oblivion on my 50" Hi-Def TV and Xbox360.
Let Blu-Ray and HD-DVD duke it out for a year or two, each one trying to eliminate the other by making thier products better, possibly cheaper, with more content etc.. The only people that can get hurt are the people who are jumping into HD-DVD headfirst and planning on replacing thier entire collections with HD-DVD immediatly. I personally own over 1500 DVD's with a large percentage of them being Special Editions and 2, 3 and 4 Disc sets. The only ones ill be upgrading to HD-DVD will be my absolute favorites that will really see a bunch of improvment from an HD push like Star Wars and Blade Runner and such. My other movies will be just fine with the current editions I have.
As for MS making a HD-DVD drive available for the Xbox360. Its a move that it absolutly had to make, its a no brainer. MS can not afford to have Sony be able to run commercials and advertisments stating it is the only console available with a HD-DVD drive. It would have made the Xbox360 look like an inferior machine in terms of movie playback and such which again, it just cannot do. If anything MS is in a better position by offering it as an add on and not built in. Sony is betting more than most people understand on Blue Ray winning this war. If Blue Ray fails, it will be quite simply the hardest blow to Sony since the company was founded and could hand MS a boost of momentum in the VG industy that Sony might never be able to get back.
It will be fun to see what happens this year. well know alot more by christmas.
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