Gizmodo
A german site, Xbox-Archiv, has a few interesting rumors from "good sources" inside Microsoft (German division?). These sources tell them that the Xbox 360 Core edition will be canned, the Premium will have a price drop to 299 Euros down from 399 Euros, and a new edition (Codenamed Zephyr) will come in at 399 Euros and feature the HDMI port and 120GB hard drive.
So how likely are these rumors? Here are some numbers we arbitrarily pulled out of our arses.
•Xbox 360 Core edition dropped: 70%. It's pretty likely that Microsoft will can the low-end Xbox 360. After all, we've rarely even seen a green box whenever we visit our local Best Buy or Fry's. Plus, if they really are going to release an updated version, they need room to push the current Premium down.
•Xbox 360 Premium price drop: 90%. It's been about a year and a half since launch, and although the original Xbox's price drop history isn't quite relevant here because Microsoft wanted to lower the price faster to compete with the PS2, it does show a trend that they could be prepared to follow. And May seems like the right time to do so.
•Zephyr Edition with HDMI, 120GB Hard Drive: 30%. Somehow May seems too soon for a new edition of the Xbox 360. The current one is doing fine (save for HDMI support), but there's no gigantic reason for Microsoft to update right now. We'd probably expect them to release an update around Christmas, or 2008.
Xbox-Archiv [via Xboxic]
Comments
so if they do, is the box going to be black, along with the xbox itself? hmmm, anyone want to buy a xbox 360 premium v1? i got a neked DVI-D port to fill.
I agree. Not putting HDMI and the sole usage of Microsoft accessories for many aspects of the console is a big drag. However decreasing the price of the 360 will really put the hurt on both the Playstation 3 and the Wii. It'll be even better with the inclusion of a 65nm chip and a quieter optical drive and maybe even a price drop on its accessories (wireless controller 39.99, wired controller 29.99, charge kit with wire 9.99, wireless internet adapter 49.99, 20 GB HDD 49.99, 64 MB memory stick 9.99, 512 MB memory stick 29.99, and any more i missed). Zephyr seems a bit much for now, it would be better if they just let us upgrade our HDD ourselves and just stick with the Xbox 360 (premium) and thats it.
The current PS2 is doing fine but they released PS3 anyways...
Plus anything that garner support in hopes of attacking Nintendo's Momentum is ideal for the M$ company.
@daftrok: if they do this new console...there will be virtually no need for the 512 mb cause every 360 would have a harddrive, unless you want to transfer stuff but do people do that?
The xBox is being positioned for more than just gaming...yes, I can see it released in May before the Apple TV gets a strong foothold.
Positioned for more than just gaming? When is the last time you played an XBOX 360?
I am not only playing games on my XBOX 360 but watching movies, tv shows, listening to music, etc. Let's not forget plugging in my iPod listening to my music.
The best part is ripping DVD movies that I own, playing them on my pc, and watching them via Vista's Windows Media Center.
Speaking from experience, if Apple TV forces you to download video content before watching it, it will be a horrible experience. If they allow immediate streaming, then it will be a huge hit.
I'm confused:
What does doing that have to do with the 360? (If the answer is simple/obvious, then I apologize for my stupidity...)
BlindsidesDork, there's no need now, I'm just saying to make accessories cheaper is all.
@EQC
Perhaps he's refering to the ability of the 360 to act as a Media center extender.
Send video from your PC to the TV using the 360 instead of having the PC connected directly to the TV.
I don't have a 360, but I'm pretty sure you can do that.
@Bender
Bingo. Not only does the XBOX 360 allows you to download and watch HD movies and television programs via XBOX Live, it acts as a Windows Media Extender. This allows me to watch videos, listen to music, and display pictures from my desktop pc. The best part is you can rip your own dvd's and play them on the XBOX 360. There is a free of software called My Movies that allows you build/maintain your movie collection and displays your movie collection in Windows Media Center/XBOX 360 similar to IMDB (Internet Movie Database).
Now I understand Apple TV is playing catch up to Windows Media Center but there's a catch. iTunes doesn't allow you to import ripped DVD's so you can't watch them on Apple TV. Why, cause it's illegal. You are forced to purchase the movie from iTunes and must watch it via iTunes or Apple TV.
This leads me to explain why people think Windows Vista Ultimate is sooooooooooo expensive when in reality it's really not. Why you ask? Because Windows Vista Ulimate comes with Windows Media Center. Before Vista's release, Windows Media Center was sold as a seperate operating system.
Yep, you can. I use mine for that very purpose.
It's very couch-potato friendly, as you can browse the files on your Media Center PC from your 360.
Apple will have do things different and offer products that will truly compete with this machine if they want a piece of the cake ;-) For the moment, the Apple TV lack the basics, DVD or Blue Ray reader, HDMI, larger hard disk and a way to play some games on it, then it will truly be an alternative to this noisy XBOX.
By the way Apple, I'm a big Mac fan but not crazy anough to pay 299$ for what I consider a anemic entertainment center.
Seems silly to introduce a new version without an HD-DVD-drive so doubt that's gonna happen just yet.
Also keep in mind that many Mediacenter PC's have TV tuners in them, allowing me to change tv channels thru my 360 remote and record directly from the remote to view later,Streamed in high def -Thru my 360 - Ala Tivo.(Without the cost) If you have an XBox360 and don't have a mediacenter or Vista PC with a tuner, You haven't seen what it's capable of at all. This is no one trick pony...it is one VERY cool device. I bought it to game, but once I connected all my stuff up together, I was impressed.
@yoshi
The Home Premium SKU comes with Media Center too :)
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/edi...
@rayv
Well I'll be a mutha f******. Even more cheaper than I thought!
Actually, I am thinking of getting another XBOX 360 to be a media extender in the family room.
I may wait for HDMI support before I do. This is fantastica!
yoshi, thats what im thinking too.
i need another 360 for the family room.
moving it back and forth through different rooms of the house is a hassle sometimes.
if only there's a 360 that comes out soon that has HDMI, i'll buy it immediately. my HDMI inputs on my tv are lonely..
Ah, if only it came with the HD-DVD drive built in, too...
So you guys (the Giz) think that they'll drop the Core and lower the price on the Premium all in May, but not intro the new version until 7 months later? I dunno... I think it'll all happen at once, more or less, so we'll either see everything happen in May or November/December. I'm hoping for the latter.
Aah, fuck!
and I just bought a premium!
Godddamn technology and its SPEED!
I should just live in the woods, being a tax agent for stupid white people on dialup or radio, and emerge in ten years. I'd buy everything i'd see, and resubmerge myself into the woods yet again, completely oblivious of the technological advances which had taken place, while still enjoying all te shiny brilliance I have acquired.
or I could just bitch about this more...
$400!
Yoshi:
Actually, I am thinking of getting another XBOX 360 to be a media extender in the family room.
thesillyone:
i need another 360 for the family room.
moving it back and forth through different rooms of the house is a hassle sometimes.
what, do you people have money to just throw away? I am BURSTING with envy.
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