BIG IN 2008 – Xbox Ultimate

[CoFree]

BIG IN 2008 – Xbox Ultimate
31 DEC 2007
xbox ultimate
Xbox Ultimate – the gaming daddy?

We’ve already had the Xbox 360 Premium and Elite. Both are, of course, fine gaming machines with the best games catalogue in the next-gen field. But come autumn 2008, we reckon both will be rendered obsolete by the Ultimate.

This PS3-killer will benefit from almost three years of Xbox development, featuring 1080p HDMI output, built-in Wi-Fi, hi-def audio output, cooler 65nm hardware architecture and a near-silent fan.

It’ll also have the ability to make the most of the by-then established Xbox IPTV service, which will mean recording TV shows to its vast 320GB hard disk and watching live TV shows via your broadband provider.

But the piece de resistance? It’ll have a built-in HD DVD drive. Let Round 12 with the PS3 commence...



That all sounds great.
It's about time the 360 got built in Wi-Fi
They don't say how much the sucker will cost.I bet BIG bucks

[sadalius]

If the rumors hold true, I would say your right cofree. A 320 GB HDD, built in hd-dvd, and probably 65 NM GPU AND CPU. the 65 NM chipsets should make production costs a little lower though, but the other two features I know will add a few more dollar signs to the eyes of Microsoft.

[NeoRio]

Interesting. I just Googled the *Ultimate* and from my first findings, it does not seem a reliable "rumor" yet...though you never know:
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/rumor/ridicu ... 289936.php
http://www.slashgear.com/rumor-xbox-360 ... 126711.php

[CoFree]

it very well could be bull but heres to wishing

[phelixnyc]

It was reported on G4 to be true.

[CoFree]

no shit

i bet it true
any takers

if it on G4
That is the word from God.

[CoFree]

yep just heard it on G4 myself
i think it on the way.

[CoFree]

More info
I think this thing is for real.




Source: A string of reports tracing back to predictions pieces on UK-based gadget site Stuff.tv and in The Seattle Times.

What we heard: When Microsoft decided to back HD-DVD in September 2005, many assumed the soon-to-be-launched Xbox 360 would eventually support the next-gen video format. Sure enough, at the 2006 Consumer Electronic Show (CES), then-Xbox marketing chief Peter Moore unveiled the console's external HD-DVD drive. While Microsoft touted the peripheral as its way of offering consumers more choice, many wondered if it meant Microsoft didn't have enough faith in the format to make it standard in its multi-million-unit-selling console.

In September 2006--two months before the 360's external HD-DVD player launched--Taiwanese electronics-industry news site Digitimes reported that Microsoft had designed a 360 with an internal HD-DVD drive to rival the PlayStation 3's built-in Blu-ray Disc player. However, the predicted early 2007 launch period came and went without an HD-DVD-equipped hitting the market. The rumor then faded--until October, when reports surfaced of a joint effort between HD-DVD creator Toshiba to create a 360 which would support the high-definition format.

With CES 2008 just around the corner, speculation is growing that Microsoft will use the gadget-centric event to unveil a new HD-DVD equipped Xbox 360. This week, a series of reports sparked by the two aforementioned pieces raised the possibility that Bill Gates will use his final CES address as Microsoft's chairman to announce a new console which Stuff.tv calls the "Xbox 360 Ultimate." According to stuff's "guesstimate," the new console will have many of the same features as the PS3, including 1080p HDMI video output and built-in Wi-Fi. It will also feature the 65nm CPU and GPU, which will enable it to be cooled by a "near-silent" fan, and will sport a massive 320GB hard drive--or so Stuff.tv editors speculate.

Seattle Times writer Brier Dudley goes one step further, speculating that Gates will announce it is licensing the 360 platform to other manufacturers. Such a move would drastically shake up the console market, as it could allow Sony's consumer electronics competitors to begin competing with it in the games space.

The official story: Both the Times and Stuff.tv's hypotheses make sense--except for one small thing. In a rare abstention from its tried-and-true rumor response mantra "Microsoft does not comment on rumors or speculation," the software giant is denying it has any plans for an Xbox 360 with an internal HD-DVD player.

"We have reiterated multiple times since launching the Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player that we have no plans to integrate an HD-DVD player in to the Xbox 360," a spokesman told GameSpot. "We feel that offering the drive externally is the best way to give consumers the ultimate choice to create their own high-definition experiences."

Bogus or not bogus?: Officially bogus--for now--that Microsoft is making a 360 with a built-in HD-DVD player. However, if Microsoft licenses the 360 platform to Toshiba, expect the electronics giant to rush a HD-DVD-hardware-equipped device as quickly as possible to prop up the format's flagging fortunes in the next-gen video war.

[NeoRio]

Hmmm. Question is: Will we be able to flash the new HD-DVD drive?

(What's the difference between "HD-DVD" and "Blu-Ray DVD"?)

[NeoRio]

* The official story: Both the Times and Stuff.tv's hypotheses make sense--except for one small thing. In a rare abstention from its tried-and-true rumor response mantra "Microsoft does not comment on rumors or speculation," the software giant is denying it has any plans for an Xbox 360 with an internal HD-DVD player.
"We have reiterated multiple times since launching the Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player that we have no plans to integrate an HD-DVD player in to the Xbox 360," a spokesman told GameSpot. "We feel that offering the drive externally is the best way to give consumers the ultimate choice to create their own high-definition experiences."

* Bogus or not bogus?: Officially bogus--for now--that Microsoft is making a 360 with a built-in HD-DVD player. However, if Microsoft licenses the 360 platform to Toshiba, expect the electronics giant to rush a HD-DVD-hardware-equipped device as quickly as possible to prop up the format's flagging fortunes in the next-gen video war.

[CoFree]

"We have no plans to integrate an HD-DVD player in to the Xbox 360"
Words: Andy Robinson,
Jan 7, 2008

There's promise of "important" Xbox news from Bill Gates' appearance at next week's CES in Las Vegas, but despite the rumours it looks like a HD-DVD enabled Xbox 360 won't be revealed at the Sin City electronics show.

Taking a sharp detour from its "we don't comment on rumours" policy, one Microsoft spokesperson said, "we have reiterated multiple times since launching the Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player that we have no plans to integrate an HD-DVD player in to the Xbox 360," in an interview with Gamespot.

"We feel that offering the drive externally is the best way to give consumers the ultimate choice to create their own high-definition experiences."

It's a bit confusing then exactly what Bill's going to reveal in tomorrow's speech, though if it does turn out to be nothing to do with HD-DVD it'll probably save Microsoft some embarrassment following Warner Brother's defect to Blu-Ray.

We'll let you know what Gates has to say as it happens tomorrow.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Well after the studios went blue-ray I would hold off to.
Its not looking good for HD-DVD.

[CoFree]

Microsoft's Xbox could consider Blu-ray support

* Tuesday January 8 2008

(Adds exec quotes, details)
LAS VEGAS, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp's Xbox video gaming unit still fully backs Toshiba Corp's HD-DVD high-definition DVD format but could consider supporting Sony Corp's rival Blu-ray technology should consumers want it, an executive said on Tuesday.
"It should be consumer choice; and if that's the way they vote, that's something we'll have to consider," Albert Penello, group marketing manager for Xbox hardware said when asked whether Microsoft would support a Blu-ray DVD accessory in the event that HD-DVD failed.
Microsoft does not believe the surprise decision last week by Time Warner Inc unit Warner Bros, the top seller of home movies, to abandon HD-DVD format in favor of Blu-ray should affect sales of its Xbox 360 video game console, Penello said.
"I fundamentally don't think ... this has a significant impact on Xbox 360 versus (Sony's) PlayStation 3," Penello told Reuters in an interview at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
"With the PlayStation 2, DVD was a big part in the beginning, but over time, people were not buying it as a DVD player after first year or two," Penello said.
The Xbox 360 supports a plug-in HD-DVD accessory that is bought separately, while Sony, hoping to give its next-generation video format a leg up, built a Blu-ray player into its PlayStation 3 machine.
"You can't say it's not a bummer, not a setback, but I've seen this battle declared over so many times," Penello said of Warner's decision.
"I want consumers to have a voice in this and I think there are a lot of consumers who bought HD-DVD who are going to have a say in how this shakes out."
Warner Bros is the movie division of media conglomerate Time Warner Inc. (Reporting by Scott Hillis, editing by Gerald E. McCormick, Richard Chang)

[NeoRio]

Deal with BT to bring IPTV to the Xbox360:

Microsoft Corp. and telecommunications leader BT announced they are bringing together the next-generation TV service BT Vision with Microsoft's Xbox 360 games and entertainment system. All BT broadband customers will have the unique opportunity to receive the best in high-definition gaming, television and movies through an Xbox 360 console, in a powerful, all-in-one entertainment experience. BT Vision, which is powered by the Microsoft Mediaroom Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) platform, plans to make this first-of-its-kind device and service offering available to customers in the middle of 2008. The announcement was made during the keynote address by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and Microsoft President Robbie Bach of the Entertainment & Devices Division at 2008 International CES on Jan. 6.

The groundbreaking partnership will enable any BT Broadband customer to use an Xbox 360 console to access the BT Vision service and its extensive library of on-demand content, giving instant access to hundreds of movies and thousands of hours of sporting events, television programming, music videos and other digital content, such as BT Vision Sport's 242 "near-live" FA Premier League football matches.

BT Vision customers with an Xbox 360 console will gain the option of accessing BT Vision from either the Xbox 360 console or a set-top-box. The service will be available to existing and future Xbox 360 console owners.

BT Vision on Xbox will combine the richness of the Microsoft Mediaroom-enabled TV service with the benefits of next-generation gaming, as well as unique new capabilities that the integrated solution brings. Xbox LIVE, the largest online social network in the living room, will be seamlessly integrated into the experience, providing consumers with a wide range of community-based features, such as voice chat, sending and receiving text and voice messages, and accessing Xbox LIVE Marketplace, all while watching TV. For example, while a TV viewer is enjoying his favorite football game, he can receive a message from a friend inviting him to join a voice chat, or they could play a game of their own with EA SPORTS? "FIFA Soccer."

"We are pleased to partner with Microsoft to deliver a truly compelling connected entertainment experience to our customers," said Dan Marks, CEO of BT Vision. "For the first time consumers in the U.K. will be able to experience the advantages of an advanced TV service together with the benefits of next-generation gaming. Our aim is to provide BT Vision on multiple platforms -- giving customers greater convenience, control and flexibility over what they watch, when they watch and how they watch TV. It also means that we are able to potentially expand our BT Vision customer base by tapping into the popularity of Xbox 360."

"This is an exciting moment in home entertainment," said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president of the Connected Television Division at Microsoft. "Last year at CES, we announced Xbox 360 on Microsoft Mediaroom as a powerful platform capable of enabling new entertainment experiences for consumers, and we are pleased to team with BT to bring this service to market. Together we are enabling BT Vision customers to be the first in the world to enjoy this next-generation TV and gaming entertainment experience."

[kcfire]

Looks pretty cool. Im just wondering when they will stop making bigger and badder 360's. Generally a new generation of game consoles come out every 5 or 6 years. The 360 broke ground in '04 I believe so you would think around '09 or '10 that a new system might come out. I just don't see the point in dropping alot of money on the Ultimate when something better could come out in two years.

[sccrbrandon4788]

why cant they figure something out that wont be obsolete in 2 years? do something that will allow us modders to upgrade our own consoles instead of paying another $400 for a complete console. they need to make them like computers and allow them to be upgradeable.