Xbox 2 & PC Hybrid? [May 27, 2004, 10:20 am ET] – Share – Viewing Comments
Microsoft studying appeal of Xbox 2-PC hybrid on CNN Money describes low-key
research Microsoft has been conducting to evaluate the appeal of combining PC
functionality into the next generation Xbox, which they say may be available as
early as next year. The Xbox, of course, is built on PC architecture, so the
issues involved are much more conceptual than technological. Here is a bit of
what they learned about this scenario, currently being tested with focus groups,
that is apparently just one of several possible directions Microsoft may be
taking with the Xbox 2:
The B/R/S Group, a California-based market research company that lists Microsoft and the Xbox division specifically as clients, has been gathering consumer feedback on a device it refers to as Xbox Next PC – "a videogame console system with a hard drive and a built-in fully functional PC." Mention of the device came on one of several slides shown to focus groups.
One slide describes the unit, which would require a PC monitor or high definition television, as being backward compatible with current and next-generation Xbox titles. It would also play PC games and include a fully functional version of Windows, CD burner, DVD player (with remote control), built-in access to Xbox Live and a hard drive. Control-wise, the system would come with both a keyboard and mouse and a standard Xbox controller. The price point this particular study tested was $599.
Eventually, everyone's living room will have a console with a keyboard and mouse. The kitchen and bathroom too. Humans are becoming data-centric. Consoles won't be just about games anymore. In the future, when we use the word console it will mean a cheap black box with a nice out-of-the-way display, keyboard, and mouse. The black box will provide generic functionality, but it will be stackable (like legos) -- meaning you can stack more black boxes that provide more specific functionality.
When the batteries die you'll throw the console out and get a new one. However, you'll probably die before the batteries.
This comment was edited on May 27, 15:02.
When the batteries die you'll throw the console out and get a new one. However, you'll probably die before the batteries.
This comment was edited on May 27, 15:02.
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