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Xbox 360 to Include WebTV?
The rumors around the next-generation Xbox system swirl faster and fiercer, which is just to be expected given that we're so close to the system's official unveiling next month. The latest scuttlebutt comes from GamesIndustry.biz, which cites sources close to Microsoft saying Xbox 360 will come at two price points, and that the premium version will may include Microsoft's WebTV service.
The GamesIndustry story also references gaming blog Kotaku, which suggests that the two price points reflect versions of the Xbox 360 with or without a hard drive, and that the hard drive will be available as an add-on for those who initially go with the less-expensive model. The built-in hard drive would house WebTV functionality, giving owners access to the web, streaming media, email, and instant messaging.
But if it's true that you can save some dough by grabbing a cheaper Xbox 360, there's still the question of where you'll store game saves and the downloadable, purchased content Microsoft is so excited about. The answer is likely with Israeli flash memory specialist M-Systems, which confirmed it is developing a memory system for the next Xbox. The base-price Xbox 360, then, may use flash memory for basic storage, leaving its pricier brother to handle stored music, game caching, and other big content.
Of course, all of this is thoroughly unconfirmed, perfectly rumor-y, and nothing to tattoo onto your forearm just yet. While we're close enough to official word to start paying attention to industry chatter, keep those grains of salt handy until the MTV shindig and E3 next month.
Source: IGN
The GamesIndustry story also references gaming blog Kotaku, which suggests that the two price points reflect versions of the Xbox 360 with or without a hard drive, and that the hard drive will be available as an add-on for those who initially go with the less-expensive model. The built-in hard drive would house WebTV functionality, giving owners access to the web, streaming media, email, and instant messaging.
But if it's true that you can save some dough by grabbing a cheaper Xbox 360, there's still the question of where you'll store game saves and the downloadable, purchased content Microsoft is so excited about. The answer is likely with Israeli flash memory specialist M-Systems, which confirmed it is developing a memory system for the next Xbox. The base-price Xbox 360, then, may use flash memory for basic storage, leaving its pricier brother to handle stored music, game caching, and other big content.
Of course, all of this is thoroughly unconfirmed, perfectly rumor-y, and nothing to tattoo onto your forearm just yet. While we're close enough to official word to start paying attention to industry chatter, keep those grains of salt handy until the MTV shindig and E3 next month.
Source: IGN