Microsoft Considering Smaller Xbox One as Potential Apple TV Rival - MacRumors
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Microsoft Considering Smaller Xbox One as Potential Apple TV Rival

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Microsoft may be gearing up to launch a new Xbox One gaming console in 2016, with a download-only device that would be noticeably smaller than the current Xbox One and enter the market as a potential rival to the new Apple TV. According to a report from Petri IT Knowledgebase (via Business Insider), the console would also see a price cut to match the current market of streaming-centric devices.
xbox one apple tv rival Keeping with the Xbox brand, the slimmer Xbox One would be able to download games from the Windows Store, but the power restraints of a smaller box would likely prevent access to the full Xbox games store. This casual-leaning app marketplace is another category in which the Xbox would compete directly with the new Apple TV, which introduced a similar App Store for the first time on Apple's living room device when it launched in October. The report gave no mention as to whether the Siri-like Kinect would be integrated as well.

Microsoft is said to be looking at a late 2016 launch for the new Xbox One, which would be sold in concert with current models akin to the slimmed down Xbox 360 S that launched five years after the original 360. The company has introduced design refreshes and low-tier prices on its gaming consoles in the past: as low as $199 for the 256MB Xbox 360 Arcade and 4GB Xbox 360 E. Although the Xbox One has seen multiple price cuts, it's yet to have a major hardware overhaul.

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Tags: Microsoft, Xbox
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Top Rated Comments

macduke Avatar
macduke
134 months ago
I didn't realise that I was at WinRumors
From time to time, MacRumors reports on Apple's competitors. The Apple TV is now a gaming platform with full controller support. The Xbox One is now a fully-featured media platform. They're competition. MacRumors has reported on Microsoft for many years, as well as Samsung, Google, Dropbox, and many other competitors. You're not new here, you should know this.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
L
levitynyc
134 months ago
I'll walk naked to Cupertino if this happens.

Not a chance.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
themoose Avatar
themoose
134 months ago
I didn't realise that I was at WinRumors
it would be MicRumors

also, the benefit to a smaller xbox "streamer" would be that if you have a regular xbox one you could potentially stream regular games to the cheaper version on a different tv the way you can to windows 10. could have a ton of potential for gamers and separate it from the competition (aka the apple tv hence the relevance for this article on this website).
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Glassed Silver Avatar
Glassed Silver
134 months ago
I didn't realise that I was at WinRumors
The best Apple customer is the one that doesn't at least know what the others are doing.

Tim and Co. love that sort of customers.

As to the potential question of why we need this news here instead of all of us just looking at a second news outlet and everyone commenting on news there...
Consider the context of comparing the competitor to the brand we're all here for and having another kind of audience talk about the value propositions.

I think there's much to be gained from making frequent comparisons between Apple and competitors, nowadays especially as they really are currently just freewheeling from one half-ambitious product to the next one.
That doesn't mean they don't generate record sales, just like in the 1990's when their downwards trend had been preceded by record sales and profits.

And maybe all of this will continue to work and the crowd that cares is in the vast minority now.
The one that actually does check Apple's performance and data sheets and whatever other aspects that might make them wonder if the value proposition is still as high as ever...
Sure, this could continue for much longer, but when I think of an Apple in demise I don't particularly worry too much about their sales, I couldn't care less being a customer without shares in Apple, what I do worry about is a) value b) choice of products and c) how many of my requirements for a device I'm in the market for they meet. So yeah, if someone sold a trillion pieces of anything I have no use for on my terms, it means jack all.

Glassed Silver:mac
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
L
levitynyc
134 months ago
The Xbox One is underpowered enough. MS wouldn't segment their market like this. Come on. Who would possibly think this is even remotely true?

This is one of the dumbest rumors I've ever read on here.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macduke Avatar
macduke
134 months ago
The last time Microsoft overlooked Apple entering a market they were in, they got wrecked. However unlikely that seems to be here, it's smart for them to make a move like this. Sony has been dominating them in the current generation, so they can't afford to start getting undercut by Apple as well. Furthermore, the Nintendo NX is rumored to be coming, and some rumors say that it will be a smaller box that somehow relies on cloud computing or connecting multiple devices together to increase graphics power. This space is going to be really interesting over the coming years. I look forward to increased competition.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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