On the eve of the new Xbox release, prototype secrets have leaked out onto the web involving Microsoft’s prototype models for the next generation gaming console.
Microsoft has obviously been pondering different avenues to take Xbox, including the development of a TV with gaming capabilities. Most prototypes will not see the light of day, simply because Microsoft has managed to understand problems with the idea.
The biggest rumour right now is the cable TV port, allowing users to connect Xbox up to a cable port and watch all channels through Xbox. We expect Microsoft has developed a new skinning and channel process, to make it easier to watch on-demand content.
Microsoft would overlay content and news on top of the cable TV shows, allowing ads and notifications to pop up while the user watches TV. These ads may even be curated by Microsoft, bringing in huge amounts of money for the Xbox.
The company was ready to launch a DVR style video capture card inside the Xbox, allowing gamers to record any content they are watching or playing and share it. This was apparently scrapped after Microsoft viewed it corrosive to their content deals.
Microsoft will apparently go for the same cloud gaming initiative Sony has announced, gamers can add games from Xbox 360 and play them on the new Xbox through the cloud, this means the next Xbox is probably not going to be compatible.
Kinect 2.0 is expected on the next Xbox, with added functionality. Microsoft apparently tried 3D glasses to immerse the user in gameplay, but these didn’t work out all that well and made gameplay laggy.
IllumiRoom may be the end to these troubles, it creates a background image all over your room, showing the gameplay. This feature will not be on the next Xbox when released.
Microsoft will reveal the next Xbox tomorrow, with a release date around November to match Sony’s PS4 console.
