Xbox

Microsoft's Xbox One: The details

Microsoft has unveiled the new Xbox, and it's called Xbox One. It's Microsoft's first new console in more than seven years. Yes, we've had many expectations for this console, especially since Sony and Nintendo have already taken their first steps in the next-gen landscape. Here's what you need to know that was announced at Microsoft's event in Redmond, Wash.

The Xbox 360 debuted in the fall of 2005, which feels like a million years ago...even if it's only seven and a half. It's high time for a new console, even if … Read more

Microsoft unveils Xbox One

Microsoft on Tuesday unveiled the Xbox One, the newest version of its popular game console.

Don Mattrick, president of Microsoft's interactive entertainment business, said the company wanted to design and build the "ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system."

The Xbox One will be available around the world later this year.

The Xbox One includes games, TV, movies, music, the Web, and apps. It has Skype and live TV capabilities, as well as voice recognition to switch between programs, new gesture recognition, and the ability to operate multiple programs at the same time. And users make group video calls … Read more

Next Xbox shipments to ramp up in third quarter

Microsoft's next Xbox is already in production, and will start shipping in large numbers in the third quarter, according to a recent report.

The sometimes spotty DigiTimes on Monday reported that Microsoft has already started producing the next version of its Xbox in "small volumes," but has already placed orders for "mass shipments" of the device to kick off in the third quarter, and reach their peak in the fourth quarter. DigiTimes is basing its claims on conversations it had with members of Microsoft's supply chain.

Microsoft is holding a big Xbox event today … Read more

Xbox next: What to expect at Tuesday's Xbox reveal event

Much has changed in the video game landscape since Microsoft unveiled the Xbox 360 in 2005.

Back then, Microsoft was a clear underdog, hoping to cut into the leads held by rival consoles from Nintendo and Sony. The Xbox had a core following, to be sure. But it also had plenty of ground to make up.

When Microsoft reveals the details of the next Xbox on Tuesday, it will be sitting in a far more comfortable position. Just last week, NPD reported that 130,000 Xboxes were sold in April in the United States, making the Xbox the best-selling video game console … Read more

No more points for Xbox players, report says

Xbox users may be able to use gift cards and credit cards, instead of points, to purchase games and other content.

"Sources familiar with Microsoft's Xbox plans" told tech news site The Verge that Microsoft will replace its Xbox Points system with gift cards. The gift cards will let Xbox owners buy currency to purchase games and other content. Users also will be able to use credit and debit cards to buy Xbox items online.

The gift cards would work in the Windows Store and the Windows Phone Store, The Verge added. Microsoft may announce the new … Read more

Next Xbox may not need constant Web connection

Plenty of video gamers had feared that the next Xbox console from Microsoft would require a constant Internet connection.

But a new internal e-mail to the Xbox team, reported on by Ars Technica, suggests that the console won't always need to be plugged into the Web.

"Durango (the code name for the next Xbox) is designed to deliver the future of entertainment while engineered to be tolerant of today's Internet," the e-mail said, according to the Ars report. "There are a number of scenarios that our users expect to work without an Internet connection, and … Read more

Court sides with Microsoft over Motorola patents used in Xbox

In a closely watched case, a federal judge has determined that Motorola is entitled to millions -- not billions -- of dollars in compensation for Microsoft's use of certain standard-essential patents.

U.S. District Judge James Robart ruled Thursday that Microsoft should pay Google's Motorola Mobility unit $1.8 million a year in royalties for use of wireless and video coding patents it used in the Xbox and its smartphones.

Motorola had demanded Microsoft pay royalties of $4 billion for use of patents that are part of the H.264 video and 802.11 wireless standards, which is … Read more

Next Xbox may sell for $499, or $299 with two-year subscription

The next Xbox, which Microsoft will unveil on May 21, will reportedly cost $499, or $299 for customers who also buy a two-year Xbox Live Gold subscription for $10 per month.

That comes from longtime Microsoft blogger Paul Thurrott, who also accurately broke the news of the Xbox unveiling date earlier this month in an interview with the video blog "What the Tech." (His comments about the next Xbox start at the 54:44 mark.)

Microsoft declined to comment on the report.… Read more

The new Xbox: Six things Microsoft needs to do

Microsoft has made it official: the next Xbox will be unveiled at a May 21 event in Redmond, Wash., just weeks before E3 opens its doors. This looks like the inevitable Xbox-PlayStation next-gen console war we've all been expecting.

What will it take for Microsoft to keep its strong foothold in the gaming industry? Here's what I'm looking for.

Be the ultimate TV-streaming (and movie-playing) box The Xbox 360 has already carved a great role for itself as a streaming-media hub, and rumors point to the next Xbox possibly being a true rival to a future Apple … Read more