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Everything you need to know about Microsoft's Xbox One

Everything you need to know about Microsoft's Xbox One

By Anupam Saxena | Updated: 22 May 2013 17:04 IST

Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One, its next generation gaming and entertainment console that wants to be the single system you will need for games, television, movies, sports and other entertainment. Here's all you need to know about it.

1.Hardware
Microsoft's Xbox One is powered by an 8-core x86 CPU and graphics processor made by AMD. The console has 8GB of RAM, 500GB hard disk drive, a Blue-ray drive slot at the front, USB 3.0, HDMI In/ Out and 802.11n Wi-Fi with Wi-Fi Direct.Internal storage can be expanded with the use of external drives.

2.New Kinect
A new Kinect motion sensor will be bundled with every console that also supports voice controls. It features an upgraded 1080p camera as well and according to Microsoft is more precise, more responsive and more intuitive. It can even record your heartbeat in addition to the slightest of movement.

3.The Xbox One runs three operating system
Since the Xbox One is not just a game console but an entertainment center and an Internet communication device Microsoft decided to add three operating systems namely the Xbox OS, Windows and another software that facilitates app switching and multitasking to get the console perform all the myriad tasks.

4.Xbox Live
Xbox Live will continue to offer achievements and will still come with a premium Gold subscription. It will add a new functionality called 'Game DVR' that will allow you to record and share your gameplay videos. It will also allow users to start playing games as they are being downloaded. The new Xbox Live will also estimate the time when you'll enter a multiplayer game via a new 'Smart Match' feature.

5.Skype for Xbox
Microsoft has also added the Skype communication software bringing the functionality to your living room. It will allow you to make HD video calls and even group calls via Kinect while watching movies or playing games.

6.Voice control
As we mentioned earlier, the new Kinect features an improved microphone that detects the user's voice even in noisy environments. The console's software is designed to support voice commands across TV, Gaming and apps like Skype and Internet Explorer. If you give the "Xbox On" command the console will turn on, say "Go to TV" or "Go to Skype" it will execute the commands immediately as evident from Tuesday's demo. It will also let you switch between all functions through these commands.

7.TV/ Sports integration
While the Xbox One will offer existing streaming services from the likes of ESPN and Netflix, it will also allow you to connect your cable or satellite set-top box via the HDMI-in port and include its own TV guide overlay complete with 'favorites' and 'trending' show information.

It will also offer a second screen experience through the Xbox glass app that works through your smartphone to display additional information with live TV. For example you can see a fantasy football card with player statistics right on the screen when you're watching a live game via the Xbox. Of course a lot of these features are US-only.

8.Used games
Microsoft has clarified that players will be able to borrow games and play them with their own Xbox Live ID but has not shared more details about the fee involved, at this moment. An earlier report had mentioned that Xbox One installs games on the device and doesn't run them via disks so they're tied to one console. Microsoft has said that users can play their games at a friend's house, without a fee if they are signed in to their profile.

9.Always-on Internet not required
Microsoft has clarified that the Xbox One does not have to be always connected, but it does require a connection to the Internet as it's an all-in-one entertainment system that is connected to the cloud and always ready. Users will be able to normally play games and watch Blu-ray movies and live TV if they lose their Internet connection.

10.Not backward compatible
Since the Xbox One is based on a new architecture and is powered by a new x86 processor, it won't be able to run games designed for the current generation Xbox 360. It's being said that Microsoft might bring older titles to the new console as Internet downloads/ streams but there's no official word on this.

11.Game Titles
While Microsoft has said that there would be 15 exclusive titles for the Xbox One in the first year, it announced some selected ones at Tuesday's event. Among the ones announced were Forza Motorsport 5, Quantum Break which is a combination of live-action TV and gaming, EA's Madden NFL 25, NBA Live 14, FIFA 14, and EA Sports UFC and Activision's Call of Duty: Ghosts. The two gaming giants also announced that they'd bring exclusive DLC (downloadable content) to the Xbox One. Microsoft is expected to reveal more titles at its E3 event, scheduled to be held on June 10.

12.Availability/ Pricing
There's no word on pricing but Microsoft has said that it will launch in markets around the world later this year and that it will make another announcement about the same.

Xbox one launch and first look

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