Billg on Xbox 2
02-12-03, 10:25 AM
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Billg on Xbox 2
Bill Gates has let slip some more details about Xbox 2 and the assault of the Microsoft next-gen games console into the living room, in an interview with Les Echos, the French financial newspaper.
The next-generation Xbox (which many people speculate will be called "Xbox Next", based on recent domain name registrations by Microsoft) is a much more broadly-focused multimedia device than the current console, he says.
Some of this functionality could make it into the Xbox before a new console launch - several sources tell us that Microsoft is considering major upgrades to the Xbox Dashboard in the near future, including a possible integration of Internet Explorer and Windows Media into the console.
Next-gen features include "digital media capabilities such as video and photo editing" and "Internet capabilities without the need for direct connections through Wi-Fi," Billg says.
This makes the Xbox 2 sound very like, well, a PC - indeed, if the system combines Internet, video and photo-editing functionality with a games console, it may become an attractive alternative to PC ownership for a lot of families.
However, there's also a danger that the new multimedia focus will dilute Microsoft's games offering; much of the success of Xbox to date can be attributed to a relentless focus on gaming, which has won the hearts of the key hardcore market.
Second Helping
According to Gates, Microsoft is "satisfied with the number two position behind Sony and ahead of Nintendo in the global console market". Nintendo might question this - if Microsoft is ahead, it's to little to be worth mentioning. Let's say "joint second" then.
But what to make of the Gates spiel about third party support - "software developers have historically only supported the top two platforms"? Even if Nintendo sinks into third place, so what? Historically, the company has been the biggest developer for its own platform, anyway.
Gates promises continued support for the Japanese market, which is still in the doldrums despite the good performance of Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball in the territory. "We knew it was going to be difficult, and we will continue to invest in the Xbox there," he said.
Will this yield the kind of software support that's needed to sell the Xbox to Japanese consumers and the legions of Japanese software fans in the USA and Europe? The jury is still out.
The next-generation Xbox (which many people speculate will be called "Xbox Next", based on recent domain name registrations by Microsoft) is a much more broadly-focused multimedia device than the current console, he says.
Some of this functionality could make it into the Xbox before a new console launch - several sources tell us that Microsoft is considering major upgrades to the Xbox Dashboard in the near future, including a possible integration of Internet Explorer and Windows Media into the console.
Next-gen features include "digital media capabilities such as video and photo editing" and "Internet capabilities without the need for direct connections through Wi-Fi," Billg says.
This makes the Xbox 2 sound very like, well, a PC - indeed, if the system combines Internet, video and photo-editing functionality with a games console, it may become an attractive alternative to PC ownership for a lot of families.
However, there's also a danger that the new multimedia focus will dilute Microsoft's games offering; much of the success of Xbox to date can be attributed to a relentless focus on gaming, which has won the hearts of the key hardcore market.
Second Helping
According to Gates, Microsoft is "satisfied with the number two position behind Sony and ahead of Nintendo in the global console market". Nintendo might question this - if Microsoft is ahead, it's to little to be worth mentioning. Let's say "joint second" then.
But what to make of the Gates spiel about third party support - "software developers have historically only supported the top two platforms"? Even if Nintendo sinks into third place, so what? Historically, the company has been the biggest developer for its own platform, anyway.
Gates promises continued support for the Japanese market, which is still in the doldrums despite the good performance of Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball in the territory. "We knew it was going to be difficult, and we will continue to invest in the Xbox there," he said.
Will this yield the kind of software support that's needed to sell the Xbox to Japanese consumers and the legions of Japanese software fans in the USA and Europe? The jury is still out.
02-12-03, 11:29 AM
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I think they should use their resources to improve the amount of RAM in their next offering as well as incorporate wireless controllers as the standard.
Photo and video editing would be a pain in the ass to do with a controller. You can have all the functions of the best paint programs used on a PC but it would be more time consuming to do them with a videogame controller.
Photo and video editing would be a pain in the ass to do with a controller. You can have all the functions of the best paint programs used on a PC but it would be more time consuming to do them with a videogame controller.
02-12-03, 11:38 AM
#9
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They should stick to gaming, that should be ovious to anybody involved. Any added multimedia stuff should be secondary to making a great gaming system.
I think Sony and Microsoft's attempts to make thier next-gen consoles do-everything machines are going to spell doom. If Nintendo goes the same route as the Gamecube and makes an affordable game-only machine, they could easily put themselves back in the lead (and they beefed up thier 3rd party support again.. but that's another thread altogether)..
I think Sony and Microsoft's attempts to make thier next-gen consoles do-everything machines are going to spell doom. If Nintendo goes the same route as the Gamecube and makes an affordable game-only machine, they could easily put themselves back in the lead (and they beefed up thier 3rd party support again.. but that's another thread altogether)..
02-12-03, 12:33 PM
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Agreed that photo editing isn't something I've been dreaming about for my next console.
And I think that there has to be a better name than XBox Next... NeXtBox? NeXBox? Even XBox2 sounds better... they could even do a superscript type thing, so it's squared or whatever. Ooh.
And I think that there has to be a better name than XBox Next... NeXtBox? NeXBox? Even XBox2 sounds better... they could even do a superscript type thing, so it's squared or whatever. Ooh.
02-12-03, 12:33 PM
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Hello guys... MS stated they wanted to do this a long time ago before the launch of the original xbox. Face it, there is a lot of money there. Sony is wanting to do the same thing. Nintendo does not. This is old news in a way is it not? (I suppose we get some newer details)
1) Cost
2) Paying for worthless features I'd never use.
3) Typically individual components excel beyond that of "All in one" units.
4) Upgradability/Aging technology in unit (For example, current xboxes and PS2s play DVD, but can not handle progressive, etc.)
If it does everything, why wouldn't you buy one?
2) Paying for worthless features I'd never use.
3) Typically individual components excel beyond that of "All in one" units.
4) Upgradability/Aging technology in unit (For example, current xboxes and PS2s play DVD, but can not handle progressive, etc.)
02-12-03, 12:46 PM
#12
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Nintendo had similar plans for the original NES... I remember my dad showing me a Wall Street Journal article about how the NES was poised to become a way to shop from home among other things that never happened. This is nothing new - xbox next or 2 or whatever is likely to do little more than play games.
02-12-03, 12:55 PM
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i think xbox next is too long and clumsy to say (too many x's). how x-next or x2 (squared)?
stick to games. i still don't want to browse using the tv (but, i'm an old geezer
)
stick to games. i still don't want to browse using the tv (but, i'm an old geezer
)
02-12-03, 01:01 PM
#14
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I guess they will bundle a keyboard and mouse with it to use the "new" features 
I know consoles are becoming more PClike. I just want them to play games and allow me to play online if I choose to do so.
nothing else. I can do everything else with my PC that is far better than these stripped down PC-consoles ever could be.
I know consoles are becoming more PClike. I just want them to play games and allow me to play online if I choose to do so.
nothing else. I can do everything else with my PC that is far better than these stripped down PC-consoles ever could be.
02-12-03, 01:47 PM
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Originally posted by jeffdsmith
Hello guys... MS stated they wanted to do this a long time ago before the launch of the original xbox. Face it, there is a lot of money there. Sony is wanting to do the same thing. Nintendo does not. This is old news in a way is it not? (I suppose we get some newer details)
1) Cost
2) Paying for worthless features I'd never use.
3) Typically individual components excel beyond that of "All in one" units.
4) Upgradability/Aging technology in unit (For example, current xboxes and PS2s play DVD, but can not handle progressive, etc.)
Hello guys... MS stated they wanted to do this a long time ago before the launch of the original xbox. Face it, there is a lot of money there. Sony is wanting to do the same thing. Nintendo does not. This is old news in a way is it not? (I suppose we get some newer details)
1) Cost
2) Paying for worthless features I'd never use.
3) Typically individual components excel beyond that of "All in one" units.
4) Upgradability/Aging technology in unit (For example, current xboxes and PS2s play DVD, but can not handle progressive, etc.)
All-in-one units always stink. The only one I have ever bought is a Brother laser printer, fax, scanner & copier. It has never scanned anything. I fax and copy very seldom so I thought it would work out for me and it does, but I still need a real scanner and a dedicated color large fomat printer to supplement it.
Oh, and I prefer a real DVD player. Like my 5109 Toshiba progressive scan.
02-12-03, 04:25 PM
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I wouldn't mind the built in IE browser. It would be nice to jump/toggle from the internet to gaming like I do on my PC (i.e.: Post on a message board like dvdtalk's video game forum to get some people together, make some additions to your friends list and jump right into a game & launch the invites).
02-12-03, 08:41 PM
#19
Retired
Originally posted by RoQuEr
If it does everything, why wouldn't you buy one?
If it does everything, why wouldn't you buy one?
For example the Home theater in a box dvd/receiver all in one things suck compared to a half decent standalone dvd player and receiver.
Factor in the fact that no console costing over $299 at launch has been successful and it's even less likely that any companies all in one game console will do anything nearly as good as standalone equipment.
Hell all the PS2 does is play DVDs and it sucks at that compared to my stand alone players.
At any rate I don't care if console makers add these features as long as it doesn't drive up cost. I just won't use them and will stick with my stand alone equipment. If it drives up cost I just won't buy that companies system (or a console period if the only option from all 3 companies is expensive all in one set top boxes).
.
02-12-03, 10:04 PM
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I think Super Word 2: Hyper Edition should be a really really good multiplayer/live-enabled word processor. At least I am hoping that it is better than Super Word 2: Vanilla Thunder.
02-12-03, 10:27 PM
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This is an Edytwinky Exclusive
Picture of the X-Box Next which will be $1500 available now at Dell.com
<img src="http://di.dell.com/images/global/products/dimen/dimen_2350_highlights.jpg"
Picture of the X-Box Next which will be $1500 available now at Dell.com
<img src="http://di.dell.com/images/global/products/dimen/dimen_2350_highlights.jpg"
02-13-03, 10:40 AM
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Originally posted by Gromit
Maybe it's just me, but I don't WANT that stuff in a gaming console. As long as it's optional, no problem, but I don't want to pay for it.
Maybe it's just me, but I don't WANT that stuff in a gaming console. As long as it's optional, no problem, but I don't want to pay for it.
This may be a shock to Microsoft, but when I buy a game console I use it TO PLAY GAMES!! A DVD player is a nice "extra" but I'd rather use a stand alone DVD player. I really have no need for photo/editing software. I have a photo editor that came with that train wreck of an OS called Windows ME that I never use, why would I want one on my game machine?
I've said it before and I'll say it again right now. Microsoft got into the console business without really knowing the marketplace. And after these comments bit Mr. Bill, they've only showed they have no idea what gamers want.