It was out last September. Here is an article about the announcement:

http://www.ps3insider.com/modules.ph...article&sid=64

And then, because there was some confusion about it, the author commented on the quote here:

http://www.ps3insider.com/modules.ph...article&sid=65

Hmm... I was under the impression that PS1 games played on ps2 hardware because they included a ps1 chip and then over a year ago, they announced that they were able to combine both on one chip... I remember it being a big deal cuz they said it would cut down on costs and could provide for backward compatability in their next system. This might be a way for sony to just explain to the public when in reality perhaps they just want there to still be a reason to buy a ps2 after the ps3 comes out. I don't know. But if what that guy says in the confusion article is true, that it was done through emulation software, then there's no reason why they can't include ps1 compatability in their next system... none at all. Again - I could be wrong - I'll have to ask my sony source to clarify what he told me about it a year ago cuz maybe i misunderstood.

I remember that as well.

Well good, at least I know that either I'm not totally insane or else that at least someone else is also suffering from the same insanity.

My feelings on backwars compatability have changed. I used to think that it was a MUST. But now, after realizing that I never play old PS1 or Gameboy games anymore (except Tetris), I think I can live without it in my Nextbox.
The only benefit of it being backwards compatable would be that I could sell my old xbox. But by then, a used xbox will go for what, $25? For $25, I'll keep my xbox for my old data, for a backup DVD player, and for the times I want to play old xbox games.

Its a big deal for people like me that don't currently have an Xbox though. When I'm deciding on my next console the fact the Xbox 2 or whatever is capable of playing the old Xbox games would really expand the library of games I could choose from. If I'm choosing between the PS3 and Xbox2 and I don't have one of the older models I'm going to end up walking out with a PS3 because I also get to play all the PS2 games I missed out on with it.

MS is trying to steal customers away from Sony. Not including backwards compatiblity will not win over people from the Sony camp use to having that ability in their PS2.

If XBox next is not the technological marvel compared to the other two do you think it will hurt sales? This combined with not including the HD will really hurt MS, IMHO.

I mean how many people bought the system simply because it is the best of this generation. (that and the fact MS slipped it into almost every tv show) I don't know of many people who bought one because of a killer app. If they aren't the technological king like they were this gen people might not jump on so easily.

There was an article in Popular Science where they had very small hard drives that were effectively the size of flash cards, but with about 4gb storage. They were also quite a bit cheaper than flash. Something like that could work great.

hard drive storage is considerably cheaper than flash... if they do this it will be strictly a way for them to make money off memory cards. That's the only reason. They may put some amount of flash memory in the box itself so they could still have the ability to cut down load times for games and then for game saves they might either sell the HD as an add-on for people who want to use the custom soundtracks feature and download content and whatnot. Of course the HD will be like 100 bucks. Then memory cards will be 20-30 bucks each and they'll clean house for people who just want to save their games and not have to pay 100 bucks to do it. Either way, they'll win. Customer loses.

Xbox was overdesigned and underpriced and some people just never appreciated it. Hell, some people even complained that they included too many features and that future consoles should just play games and nothing else. Well, thankfully there are companies that make such devices already for them, but for someone like me, I was happy that there was a company ballsy enough to produce a console that did more than just play games. Now it seems like instead of including more stuff they are taking stuff away.

I mean, my car has A/C, but I never use it. I would never complain that my car came with A/C though. I never use the airbags either. I don't use the seatbelts for that matter. I don't listen to the radio either (I play CDs though) so let's get rid of the radio from cars as well. Boy, this rant is going nowhere. Sorry.

Anyway - I may not buy the next xbox for various reasons, but they could surprise us... I'm gonna wait and see.

[offtopic rant]Trigger, regarding your comment on not using seat belts.....

I work in an emergency room, and talk to cops and firefighters everyday. Seat belts save countless lives (and facial scars). There is NO good argument to not use your seatbelt. For every 1 person that burns up in a wrecked car because their seatbelt locked them in, there are 50,000 whose lives are saved.

I would miss your input here in the forum, so please wear your seatbelt.[/offtopic rant]

I appreciate your concern... of the more than half a dozen accidents I've been involved in, the only one I was injured in was the one where I had a seatbelt on. This includes one where I was in a car that flipped over into a ditch (no seatbelt). Haven't had an accident in 10 years (knock on wood) and I wasn't driving in all the accidents I've been in, so I don't want you to think that I'm a bad driver (quite the opposite). Anyway, if it'll make you feel better, I'll try to wear it more often.

I promise that this will be the last offtopic post (in this thread), but...

I think I'm a good driver too (placed well in a competition driving school last year, never been in a accident that was my fault, etc), but just today I ran a red light. Totally was distracted by my cell phone conversation and didn't notice until it was too late that the light was red. Luckily, it had just turned red and I was able to swerve a bit and get out of harms way, but wow.......almost sucked up my seat with my cheeks.

And yes, I am happier that you'll try to wear the seatbelt Trigger. Your stats on accidents/injuries are rare, and most seatbelt injuries are minor compared to the injuries you would have received without one.

http://news.com.com/2100-1043-5186739.html?tag=alert

Patent offers clue in mystery of Xbox hard drive

Last modified: April 7, 2004, 11:56 AM PDT
By David Becker
Staff Writer, CNET News.com

Then again, maybe the next Xbox will have a hard drive.

The likely fate of the game console's storage medium--the subject of ongoing speculation as Microsoft closely guards details on the planned successor to the current Xbox--got a new twist this week from a patent granted to the software giant.

U.S. patent 6,716,102, granted Tuesday to Microsoft, covers methods for storing data about games in progress.

The patent specifically references "a gaming system (that) includes a hard disk drive for storing applications and other data," indicating Microsoft may be more committed to equipping future Xbox configurations with onboard storage than previously thought.

A Microsoft representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Beyond confirming agreements with key suppliers--including chipmakers IBM, ATI Technologies and Silicon Integrated Systems--Microsoft has steadfastly refused to discuss plans for the successor to the current Xbox.

But company insiders have suggested the next version of the console--expected to hit the market late next year--may not include a hard drive, one of several measures intended to cut production costs for the money-losing product. That idea was bolstered in February, when flash memory products manufacturer M-Systems announced it had signed a contract to create high-capacity removable storage devices for future versions of the Xbox.

But the new patent describes internal, hard-drive storage as a key advantage for the Xbox over competing game consoles, allowing larger storage capacity and room to segregate data on individual games from other information, such as hardware and system settings.

"There is a need for an improved system for managing data in a gaming system that includes an internal data storage device, such as a hard disk drive," the patent says. "Additionally, there is a need for an improved system for displaying information regarding data stored in the gaming system."

The patent goes on to give a detailed description of file structure, naming conventions and other methods intended to make it easier for people to find and manage game data.


Chris

The patent was applied for on March 9th, 2001 I doubt it has anything to do with Xbox2, but it probably an old Xbox1 patent which finally got approved.

josh is on point. By the time a patent application is issued as a patent, the orginal technology may have become obsolete or may not even be used in the final commercial product.

This article means absolutely zilch (not to knock on you, chris).

-gopeglegs!, Esq.

"don't believe everything you read"

I just prints them as I sees them!

I don't care one way or the another. As we all know, it's the games that make the system, not the other way around!

Chris

I guess Microsoft is scrapping plans to turn the x-box to a DVR. I think if you add that functionality to the system you can sell a WHOLE lot more units who may not be savy or wealthy up to pony up the money for a Tivo.

Bad idea Microsoft to abandoning this potentially lucrative idea.

This is what I think is weird. Originally I thought MS wanted to make the XBox2 more than just a console. I thought they wanted it to be a DVR, Media player (MP3, WMA, digital pics), a console, email, web browser and more. Now it seems like they have totally skipped on this idea. I just think they have no idea what to do to get a better share of the market away from Sony. They need to chill and do what they did w/ GUI, wait until they can sneak a peek at the plans for the PS3 and then better it and not wait a year after to release it. I think they have to release at the same time as the PS3, if they go before I can see Sony revamping their PS3 to include better options, after and the market is once again owned by Sony.

It wouldn't be cost effective for them to do it anyway. Look at the price of the PSX that is released in Japan now (and hopefully here soon). The smaller 160GB version is ¥78,800 (which is around $740 US), and the larger 250GB version is ¥99,750 ($936 US). MS would have to charge somewhere in the $500+ US range for a system that can function as a DVR as well as a console system by the time it came out here. Very few will jump on it at that price. And MS would probably still be losing cash on the deal.

Of course, it might be smart for them to do like Sony and have the console only version and also a PSX style machine on the market at the same time. So those that want it will go with the more expensive model, but still have the regular version for everyone else. Doubt that will happen though.

I would also assume that MS will be incorporating a DVR type technology into their next version of Windows so they might not want to be concerned with putting that functionality into the Nextbox.

If MS is smart, they will develope Longhorn and the next Xbox to be compatible. This would allow you to access all the features of Longhorn on your Xbox2 via a network setup. So you wouldn't need a hard drive inside the box, it would simply send the save files to your computer and save it there. You could also use any features (media player, surf internet, DVR, etc) that your computer could do via the Xbox2 console. That would be a very intelligent thing.

Seem like PS3 RULE in 2006 or 2007 cuz it have "Compatable PS2 & PS1 games "

But the other side of the coin is they lose the business of people like me that don't want a DVR, and would refuse to buy it in favor of cheaper, gaming only machines from the competition (Nintendo will be gaming only, rumors have sony doing a set top box and a gaming only PS3).

Just make better exclusive games. simple.

That's indeed the key. Lack of good exclusive games has made me regret buying an X-box, and even a Gamecube to a slightly lesser extent.

Yes yes yes. We all know your orientation now.