Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
It's a start. I bet you the next gen consoles (PS5, XBO2) will no longer have optical disc drives in them no more. All games will be downloaded or streamed.

Thats what xbox one was trying to do this gen, well at least start paving the way, but people freaked out causing Microsoft to back peddle.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 69Mustang
The last time Microsoft overlooked Apple entering a market they were in, they got wrecked. However unlikely that seems to be here, it's smart for them to make a move like this. Sony has been dominating them in the current generation, so they can't afford to start getting undercut by Apple as well. Furthermore, the Nintendo NX is rumored to be coming, and some rumors say that it will be a smaller box that somehow relies on cloud computing or connecting multiple devices together to increase graphics power. This space is going to be really interesting over the coming years. I look forward to increased competition.

Can't see apple getting wrecked by the Apple TV , Apple TV is kinda getting owned itself by the competition . I myself use an Apple TV , but it's far from the best device on offer.
 
I didn't realise that I was at WinRumors
The best Apple customer is the one that doesn't at least know what the others are doing.

Tim and Co. love that sort of customers.

As to the potential question of why we need this news here instead of all of us just looking at a second news outlet and everyone commenting on news there...
Consider the context of comparing the competitor to the brand we're all here for and having another kind of audience talk about the value propositions.

I think there's much to be gained from making frequent comparisons between Apple and competitors, nowadays especially as they really are currently just freewheeling from one half-ambitious product to the next one.
That doesn't mean they don't generate record sales, just like in the 1990's when their downwards trend had been preceded by record sales and profits.

And maybe all of this will continue to work and the crowd that cares is in the vast minority now.
The one that actually does check Apple's performance and data sheets and whatever other aspects that might make them wonder if the value proposition is still as high as ever...
Sure, this could continue for much longer, but when I think of an Apple in demise I don't particularly worry too much about their sales, I couldn't care less being a customer without shares in Apple, what I do worry about is a) value b) choice of products and c) how many of my requirements for a device I'm in the market for they meet. So yeah, if someone sold a trillion pieces of anything I have no use for on my terms, it means jack all.

Glassed Silver:mac
 
Really really bad idea from Microsoft!!!

They should actually double down on the Xbox and start creating the Xbox2 that is 4K capable with an UHD BluRay Drive that can atleast be able to handle games at 1080p and 50-60fps with the possibility of some sort of VR gear connection.

They have to realize that their approach with the Kinect didn't work out and nobody really uses it! Built a xbox with strong hardware, lose the kinect and get it VR ready rather than built an xbox light for casual gaming and video streaming!

The market for casual gaming and video streaming is already too crowded with the dozens of internet connected setup boxes, smart TVs and lets not forget the smartphones and tablets itself!

Such an xbox2 could be ready for 2016/17.
 
If I were Microsoft, I'd release an Xbox One without the disc drive and all the home media stuff. Just the guts of a gaming console and a big enough HDD for a few games (perhaps 250 GB?). Controller included. I'd price this at around $250 ($199 for the holidays).

If you need more storage, buy an external drive (maybe a propietary one for the Xbox).
 
  • Like
Reactions: MH01
Hopefully they keep the giant power brick. I love that. And the high-pitched fan whirring inside the giant power brick. :rolleyes:

Microsoft just can't get anything right at all. This will be another case study in cutting corners while everyone else does it better.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gudi
Got an Xbox for the holidays and it's been fun. Granted it's got the usual MS bugs like the constant need for updates, the need to unplug and restart to clear simple errors, and needing to force quit on occasion. The dashboard is loaded with ads and the "Bing search" in the marketplace is downright broken searching for "lego" games resulted in no results.

That said the quality of the games is pretty darn sweet. Of course my last console was a Wii.
 
Stick an updated version of Windows Media Center on here and include an OTA TV connector on the back and I'll take one - not bothered about the gaming, just give me WMC - my Media Centre running WMC was by far the best DVR/set-top box I've ever owned, let down only by the investment in time required to stay on top of the hardware-related glitches that were due to 3rd party hardware compatibility. However, if MS were to resurrect the concept and give us a first-party solution, and therefore presumably without the compatibility issues, I'd be sold - goodbye Sky+. Such a shame Apple couldn't have included DVR functionality within the ATV4, though I do appreciate that with multiple different OTA standards across the world it was probably never really going to be practical, especially as Apple have decided that streaming TV is the future.
 
Haters gonna hate.

I have no interest in the ATV but I would probably buy the small xbox. It would be good as a secondary gaming console and if it has enough audio and video capabilities, then I am in for one or two.
 
I don't think it will work out. Apple TV is an actual set top box, which delivers a lot different kinds of content: movies, tv shows, music, games and apps. This small Xbox they're talking about would be no more than a gaming set top box, maybe with access to a few mediocre apps. It's bound to become a flop. :p

I'm not saying the Apple TV is waaaay better. But Apple just does the content delivery best thanks to the App Store.

The XBox 360 actually works well as a streaming device in conjunction with PS3 Media Server. It will play content that the PS3 either hobbles after 30 minutes or refuses to play. That said, it is a bit cumbersome navigating around the media part of the XBox. They have to fix that user interface and also add channels. The ATV 4 is a great step in the right direction for Apple and I plan on getting one later in 2016. Even the ATV 3, although limited in channels, with a slight hack can run Plex which connects to even more channels as well as streaming content from your computer and iTunes.
 
It would be a poor idea to give this lower specs than the Xbox One - seems like that'll just lead to fragmentation.

Game developers don't like making multiple versions of their code. They don't want to have to write multiple copies of every shader for every platform. Generally they'll just write a shader that maximizes what the minimal console they're targeting can do. So this means that a developer aiming for this slimmed Xbox One + the fullsize Xbox One will write shaders that maximize what the slimmed one can do and make a fullsize Xbox One look like a silly purchase.

It's been 2 years now, so the price of the CPU, GPU, Memory, and Hard Drive should all have been cut in half. Ditch the optical drive and camera and I feel like you could manage to make a device with similar specs to the full size Xbox One for ~$200.
 
I think this is plausible. They will drop the bluray drive, so less licensing fees, drop the extra HDMI input. They probably have a more power effecient chipset available, so use that and a smaller power supply (Or don't and just keep the huge brick.)

Also - now there are no used game sales for this console - they own every piece of content available on the platform. So higher revenues on new game releases.

Sounds like wins all around, price it at $250 and call it a day.
 
I think this is plausible. They will drop the bluray drive, so less licensing fees, drop the extra HDMI input. They probably have a more power effecient chipset available, so use that and a smaller power supply (Or don't and just keep the huge brick.)

Also - now there are no used game sales for this console - they own every piece of content available on the platform. So higher revenues on new game releases.

Sounds like wins all around, price it at $250 and call it a day.

I think it's plausible as well. I would like to see Sony and Microsoft implement a method for those that bought BluRay Discs previously have the option to download purchased content.
 
What's funny is I used to be a Microsoft Partner, and marketing is all they pretty much did for us. However, compared with Apple's marketing:
Apple Marketing: Life is great when you have our products
Microsoft Marketing: Life will suck without our products, and that thing you bought last week that we sold you is now a piece of crap.

Never have I seen a company (as a company, mind you) that throws it's own work down the toilet so regularly (with each release cycle).

And with what you're saying, it's obvious why you're no longer a partner for them. With friends like that, they wouldn't need enemies.
 
The problem with a download only Xbox One is that it would alienate brick and mortar game retailers. Whilst they are a dying breed, Microsoft still need them. It's why games on the PS Store and Xbox Store are more expensive that in the shops even without the packaging and expensive distribution costs.

I could see it as an Xbox Streamer or the smaller indi Xbox Live games plus entertainment box.
 
Last edited:
Not sure if I'm misunderstanding you, but the Xbox One doesn't play Xbox 360 games

It does (limited library), but I meant hardware re-designs. I read the article as the Xbox one is being re-designed to be smaller, but would have a limited library. It shouldn't be called Xbox one if it does t play all Xbox one games. That would cause too much confusion. The Xbox 360 and 360 slim played the same games.
 
I don't think it will work out. Apple TV is an actual set top box, which delivers a lot different kinds of content: movies, tv shows, music, games and apps. This small Xbox they're talking about would be no more than a gaming set top box, maybe with access to a few mediocre apps. It's bound to become a flop. :p

I'm not saying the Apple TV is waaaay better. But Apple just does the content delivery best thanks to the App Store.
You realize the Xbox One already does all of those things too, right? Plus you're able to connect live TV to the Xbox One as well which is something the Apple TV CAN'T do. That's the reason Microsoft making a smaller version of the Xbox One actually makes sense.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fancuku
The problem with a download only Xbox One is that it would alienate brick and mortar game retailers. Whilst they are a dying breed, Microsoft still need them. It's why games on the PS Store and Xbox Store are more expensive that in the shops even without the packaging and expensive distribution costs.

Microsoft doesn't NEED brick and mortar retailers. Retailers like GameStop have to wake up and adapt to the changing marketplace or they will follow in the footsteps of companies like Blockbuster Video. Downloadable/streamable games are the future. GameStop still has a viable position in the marketplace selling hardware, accessories, and download gift cards/game download keys. The only thing hampering a download-only console is hardware manufacturers and game developers refusing to allow digital games to be resold/traded on the secondary market.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.