Xbox 360 Elite Finally Confirmed

In a move sure not to astound the gaming community Microsoft has finally confirmed the release of a new Xbox 360. Yes, folks, this newest configuration will be called the 'Xbox 360 Elite'.

"So, what?" you're wondering in awe will this new configuration include? The leaked details were on the money. The Elite will ship with a detachable 120Gb hard drive, HDMI output (as was confirmed on Monday) and a black finish.

Backing Microsoft's new push into IPTV, the new model will also be IPTV compatible. OK, so the 360 already is; however, Microsoft does make a point of this feature in its confirmation today. This emphasis also comes shortly after digital video delivery 'guru', Reed Hastings, joins Microsoft.

Just so current 360 owners don't feel left out, the120Gb hard drive will be sold separately at $179.99 (£92).

Reports on the US pricing were also accurate; it will retail at $479.99 (£245), $20 less than the 20Gb PS3. Microsoft isn't in quite as much of a rush to get it out as reports suggested, however. It will be released on April 29th, not April 7th.

SPOnG contacted Microsoft to find out what we can expect from the UK launch in terms of pricing, release dates and allocation figures. “There will be an announcement closer to the time,” was all we were told.

We also queried whether the announcement's timing had anything to do with the PAL PS3 launch but were unsurprisingly told that all the available information has been released. The announcement of a competitively priced top-end 360 so soon after a successful PS3 launch reeks of Nintendo's hardware spoiler antics yesterday.

It seems likely that with the release of the Elite the core model will drop away to a quiet death, and the current premium pack will drop in price to replace it. Microsoft wasn't about to admit anything of the sort when SPOnG spoke to it, however. “With the new version there will be three models available on the market,” SPOnG was told.

On pricing, however, Microsoft picked its words carefully. “There are no plans to announce a price drop for the other two SKUs,” SPOnG was told. No planned announcement isn't, however, quite the same as no price drop.

For the full specs check out Microsoft's press release here.