Microsoft unveils Xbox with 1TB storage, souped-up wireless controller

A souped-up Xbox controller, an Xbox One console with 1TB capacity, and a lower-priced Xbox One 500GB model are among Microsoft's offerings to gamers ahead of the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles this week.

Microsoft unveiled an Xbox One console with 1TB capacity and a new matte finish, which it said stemmed from frequent fan request.

"Since Xbox One launched, one of the most frequent requests from fans is to add more storage to their consoles. Today, we’re unveiling the Xbox One 1TB console, with a new matte finish and more storage for your games and media, making it the best place to play the biggest blockbusters this holiday like Halo 5: Guardians, Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Forza Motorsport 6," Major Nelson said in a blog post.

The new console also lets users extend game storage further by adding an external USB 3.0 drive.

Bundled with the new console are Microsoft's new wireless Xbox controller and for a limited time in selected regions the game "Halo: The Master Chief Collection."

The Xbox One 1TB consoles will start shipping to retailers June 16 in the United States and select markets later this month, with prices starting at $399.

Microsoft also brought down the price of the 500GB Xbox One consoles to $349 in the US and select regions.

Wireless controllers

Microsoft also unveiled its new Xbox One Wireless Controller that now has a built-in 3.5mm stereo headset jack to accommodate gamers' gaming headsets.

"With the updated controller, in addition to the volume and mute controls on gaming headsets, you’ll also have the option to adjust headset volume, mic monitoring, and voice and game audio balance through the Settings menu on your console," Major Nelson said.

Microsoft also said it has improved the quality of audio coming through the controller and increased the maximum audio volume on headsets used with this controller.

The bumpers have been fine-tuned for more consistent performance and the controller can now get firmware updates wirelessly.

Gamers can also buy the new controller as a standalone item in black or as a new camouflage design in silver and black.

Windows 10 support 

Also, Microsoft is releasing the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows so gamers can use the wireless controller on Windows 10 PCs, laptops, and tablets.

"[S]imply plug the Adapter into the USB 2.0 or 3.0 port of your Windows 10 PC and bind the Adapter to your Wireless Controller to enable the same gaming experience you’re used to on Xbox One, including in-game chat and high-quality stereo audio," Major Nelson said.

He said the wireless adapter for Windows will be available for $24.99 or bundled with an Xbox One Wireless Controller for $79.95. — Joel Locsin/BM, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Xbox One wireless controllers to come to Windows

Gamers with Windows-based rigs, better start saving up: Microsoft is rolling out soon an adapter that allows Xbox One controllers to connect to Windows PCs wirelessly.

A report on PC World quoted Xbox head Phil Spencer as saying the wireless adapter for Xbox One controllers may come later this year, getting rid of the USB tether.

While the Xbox 360 controller for Windows had a wireless model, Microsoft stopped making the adapter easily available.

A report on PC World said this move may be part of Microsoft's drive to unify the Xbox and Windows ecosystems, or "to keep the Xbox semi-relevant to PC gamers." —Joel Locsin/JST, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Microsoft makes next XBox One Twitter-friendly

The next iteration of Microsoft's Xbox One gaming console will play nice with Twitter.

In a November update, Microsoft's Major Nelson said this is one of the new features rolled out for the Xbox One preview program.

"You can now share your favorite Xbox One game clips with your followers on Twitter. Use the Share button on any game clip you have created and select Twitter to compose the Tweet," he said.

With the new Live TV and Twitter integration, Microsoft said users can "discover new shows to love and see what people are saying on Twitter about shows in real-time."

Microsoft is also bringing to the Xbox One a most-requested feature - the ability to customize one's Xbox One background.

Another feature is the ability to share some favorite achievements and game clips.

"For the first time, each account on your Xbox One can have a customized background.  You can choose a custom color or achievement art as your background on Xbox One, with more customization options coming down the road," Major Nelson said.

Gamers can also share location and bio as part of their profile, while using Xbox One SmartGlass to browse to other people’s profiles and check their showcase items.

They can also select showcase items displayed when other gamers look at their profiles on an Xbox One console.

Live TV trending

For preview members in the US, Canada and the UK, there will be a new tab in OneGuide showing the top 20 most watched TV shows.

"The Live TV Trending list is updated by the minute, so you can easily discover shows that are popular with other viewers. The Trending tab in OneGuide is updated to display Twitter - Live TV trending first and Xbox – Live TV Trending second. You can tune to a specific show by pressing the A button," Microsoft said.

But that's not all with Twitter integration: another new feature allows users to see what Live TV is trending based on shows with the most conversations taking place on Twitter. The feature is initially available in the US.

On the other hand, the Trending tab in OneGuide can also display Live TV Trending.

Tweets will also be available in MiniGuide along with Recents and Favorites.

Store, smartglass updates
 
Improvements have been made to the Store pages on Xbox One to quickly browse and find content and game add-ons.

Store categories have also been standardized "so you can easily see the top items in each query at a glance," Microsoft said.

Also on SmartGlass, users can see friends’ game activity.

Gamers with an Xbox Live Gold subscription can browse “Free Games with Gold” and discounted content with Gold, and download the content to their Xbox One consoles from their mobile devices.

Meanwhile, a new section for Apps will make it easier to find and download apps for the Xbox One.

IE updates

Updates are also coming to the Internet Explorer browser, including snapping from a full screen experience and moving IE into snap mode.

Also updated is the Preview dashboard app, which now adds a user's stats and leaderboard. — Joel Locsin/VC, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Xbox One original programming pushes through, starting with 'Humans'

Since the Xbox One's was unveiled at a press event at Microsoft's campus in Redmond, Washington, the company has teased consumers with the prospect of original programming to be made exclusively available on their Xbox Live service. Such programming was going to be just one slice of content in the company's desire to make the Xbox One a do-it-all entertainment device for the entire family.



Microsoft has announced that they are moving forward with original programming. Bloomberg reports that production at Xbox Entertainment Studios will commence this June, under the leadership of Nancy Tellem. Tellem was hired by Microsoft in 2012. Previously, Tellem was president of CBS Entertainment, where she supervised the network's programming lineup. Shows like CSI, Everybody Loves Raymond and Survivor all aired under her watch.

Xbox Entertainment Studios was founded in L.A. last year to create 'true interactive content' for the Xbox brand, not long before the unveiling of the Xbox One. Back then, Microsoft already began talking about a Steven Spielberg produced series based on the megahit franchise Halo. While details have yet to materialize regarding that project, the renewed commitment to original programming comes with the reveal of their first series, entitled 'Humans.'

'Humans' is based on a Swedish series, Äkta människor or 'Real Humans.' A collaboration between Xbox Entertainment Studios (XES) and the UK's Channel 4, the series will be set in an alternate present where robotic servants have become a household accessory. Drama unfolds when a busy father purchases a second-hand model that conceals its own secrets. An eight episode order has been given, and will air on Channel 4 with XES holding exclusive broadcast rights in North America.






"Humans not only questions personal relationships, we loved how this sci-fi show toys with reality and our connection to technology," said Tellem. "This deal with Channel 4 and Kudos underscores Xbox Entertainment Studios' commitment to programming premium TV series with global partners and creating engaging interactive experiences." Other programs on the slate at XES include "Every Street United," a street football reality show and a sketch comedy show from Sarah Silverman and Michael Cera.

Tellem later told Bloomberg that Microsoft is open to creating programs based on the "rich amount" of intellectual property the company already owns ."Whether it's from a game like Fable or Age of Empires or Gears of War or Forza, which is an amazing car racing game, or Halo. These are the things that frankly if we weren't attached to Microsoft everyone would yearn to have."

Microsoft is just one of a handful of tech companies diversifying into original video content. Netflix has already seen success with their Netflix Originals, which includes shows like Orange is the New Black and House of Cards. The online retailer Amazon has already begun greenlighting shows for the first season of its Amazon Originals. Sony is also developing its own programming for the Playstation service, but so far has only one show in its stable, the high concept procedural Powers. — TJD, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

XBox One update coming in March

Microsoft is rolling out this March the first major update for its Xbox One game console to address issues with the Xbox Live service, a tech site reported Thursday.

The Verge cited sources familiar with Microsoft's plans as saying the major update will also include "other system fixes."

"Party-chat problems and issues with the usability and placement of social features of Xbox Live will be improved with the update," it said.

It added a forum poster at NeoGAF first disclosed the update, and claimed Microsoft will release a white version of the Xbox One console in October.

Other rumored plans include a 1TB version of the Xbox One to be released in November, it added.

Still other rumors include an Xbox One without a Blu-ray drive, a Bluetooth adapter, and launch dates for the console worldwide, it added.

Blu-ray drive

Also, The Verge confirmed Microsoft "has been testing versions of its console without a Blu-ray drive." — TJD, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com