Talking to BusinessWeek magazine earlier this week, Xbox head honcho Peter Moore made some allusions to the possible future development of an Xbox handheld device.
BusinessWeek apparently has it on authority that Microsoft is sick of all the supposed "iPod killers" that are appearing on the market, failing to topple the iPod, and disappearing into the consumer tech ether.
Jay Green over at BusinessWeek asks Peter Moore directly how their device would theoretically differentiate itself from the rest of the pack? Moore responds, "It can't just be our version of the iPod." Microsoft would also probably use the Xbox brand to market the gadget. "I think the brand is an opportunity," Moore says.
BusinessWeek goes on to state that "in addition to playing music and videos, a Microsoft device would include games."
Which is sufficiently vague enough to be slightly interesting to any budding futurists, but at the same time is not actually telling us anything much at all.
Well, we’re not sure if we can read anything into this vague rumour initiated by some hack on BusinessWeek, but we were sure intrigued when we came across the above artist’s impression of an Xbox handheld over on PlayBomb.
Let us know your thoughts in the forums below.
BusinessWeek apparently has it on authority that Microsoft is sick of all the supposed "iPod killers" that are appearing on the market, failing to topple the iPod, and disappearing into the consumer tech ether.
Jay Green over at BusinessWeek asks Peter Moore directly how their device would theoretically differentiate itself from the rest of the pack? Moore responds, "It can't just be our version of the iPod." Microsoft would also probably use the Xbox brand to market the gadget. "I think the brand is an opportunity," Moore says.
BusinessWeek goes on to state that "in addition to playing music and videos, a Microsoft device would include games."
Which is sufficiently vague enough to be slightly interesting to any budding futurists, but at the same time is not actually telling us anything much at all.
Well, we’re not sure if we can read anything into this vague rumour initiated by some hack on BusinessWeek, but we were sure intrigued when we came across the above artist’s impression of an Xbox handheld over on PlayBomb.
Let us know your thoughts in the forums below.
Read More Like This
Comments
Coxy 27 Jan 2006 15:01
1/14
There is no way the artists impression could be a hendheld, whether it is genuine or not, I mean look at the button placement, it's just too unfeasible, it looks a bit too similar to the PSP for my liking.
Microsoft (in my opinion) will not be developing a handheld to beat off "ipod killers" they will be doing it to be in direct competition with the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS, (I know i'm probably stating the bleeding obvious) even it's functions are the same as the PSP.
But still, if Microsoft do go ahead and develop a handheld it'll be interesting to see how it does, however I don't hold much hope for the Japanese launch. :P
Microsoft (in my opinion) will not be developing a handheld to beat off "ipod killers" they will be doing it to be in direct competition with the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS, (I know i'm probably stating the bleeding obvious) even it's functions are the same as the PSP.
But still, if Microsoft do go ahead and develop a handheld it'll be interesting to see how it does, however I don't hold much hope for the Japanese launch. :P
DoctorDee 27 Jan 2006 15:32
2/14
Coxy wrote:
they will be doing it to be in direct competition with the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS, (I know i'm probably stating the bleeding obvious) even it's functions are the same as the PSP.
I do not believe that those two devices are in "direct competition". OK you can carry both of them around, and both play games. But the PSP's multimedia capabilities, and the DS's wireless capabilities put them in distinctly different camps. The iPod is something completely different again. Microsoft really would have to differentiate themselves, or decide which item they are aiming at.
more comments below our sponsor's message
dmgice 27 Jan 2006 17:12
3/14
Microsoft already attempted to enter the handheld business on the sly with their investments in Tiger Telemetric's Gizmondo handheld system.
That went well.
That went well.
LUPOS 27 Jan 2006 17:46
4/14
Philip Wesley wrote:
That went well.
tis a shame... other than the lack of analog control stick it was actually a suprisignly nifty little thing. using cam for motion detection and having it act as a window into other dimensions sort of thing ws pretty sweet... coudl have made a great version of fatal frame on that thing ;)
____
OptimusP 28 Jan 2006 11:52
5/14
It probable will have dual touchscreens or something. If the PSP (and its gamesales) has proven anything is that you can't compete with Nintendo when it comes to handheld gaming. And then you have this Apple-Jobs-Disney-Pixar deal being finished... can you say iPod Video with exclusive content from the whole Disney stable...
They have to have something really new up their sleeves to get any piece of the "portable entertainment" market (look, i launched a new marketing term! Where's my 5000 dollars? Whatever thinktank uses this term, i'll sue them!)
They have to have something really new up their sleeves to get any piece of the "portable entertainment" market (look, i launched a new marketing term! Where's my 5000 dollars? Whatever thinktank uses this term, i'll sue them!)
majin dboy 28 Jan 2006 12:30
6/14
dual analouge on a handheld,what is the worls coming to.
realvictory 28 Jan 2006 12:42
7/14
DoctorDee wrote:
Coxy wrote:
they will be doing it to be in direct competition with the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS, (I know i'm probably stating the bleeding obvious) even it's functions are the same as the PSP.
I do not believe that those two devices are in "direct competition". OK you can carry both of them around, and both play games. But the PSP's multimedia capabilities, and the DS's wireless capabilities put them in distinctly different camps. The iPod is something completely different again. Microsoft really would have to differentiate themselves, or decide which item they are aiming at.
Still, they are in competition. They all play games in your hand as a primary function. It might just be that one has games that people prefer to the games onthe other one. Which suggests partly why the Gizmondo failed.
I think Microsoft might just be able to get somewhere, if their handheld has a hard disk and some sort of free onilne service. As long as they have a good online Halo for it. But let's face it, either way, it's still probably going to be too big to fit in your pocket, and would probably get so hot that it would burn a hole in your pocket if it isn't. ;)
ozfunghi 28 Jan 2006 13:08
8/14
That mock-up seems about right:
butt-ugly
clumsy
oversized
horrid design
Microsoft should hire that "artist", he's right up their alley.
I'm also trying to figure out how they could "topple the IPod" with a game oriented machine. I know 70 year olds with an IPod because it's so simple, i can not see a game/media player ever being able to achieve the same level of "ease of use". Just like the Ngage failed to be both a phone and a gaming machine. And the PSP fails to be a good and handy media player (IMO).
As for "brand recognition"... using the "xbox" brand is possibly the worst thing they can do. This will no way in hell have the same mass appeal the IPod has. Xbox... X...box... what the, no 70 year old that's gonna buy that if they can get an "IPod". On top of that, people that know the "Xbox" brand, also know that it's a distant second to Playstation... so as far as mass appeal goes...
I think, if anything, they want to topple the PSP, and not the IPod.
Or they need a media player sith very limited gaming features, keeping it transparent. Then they should drop the xbox name. Or they're going for a full blown PSP "killer".
butt-ugly
clumsy
oversized
horrid design
Microsoft should hire that "artist", he's right up their alley.
I'm also trying to figure out how they could "topple the IPod" with a game oriented machine. I know 70 year olds with an IPod because it's so simple, i can not see a game/media player ever being able to achieve the same level of "ease of use". Just like the Ngage failed to be both a phone and a gaming machine. And the PSP fails to be a good and handy media player (IMO).
As for "brand recognition"... using the "xbox" brand is possibly the worst thing they can do. This will no way in hell have the same mass appeal the IPod has. Xbox... X...box... what the, no 70 year old that's gonna buy that if they can get an "IPod". On top of that, people that know the "Xbox" brand, also know that it's a distant second to Playstation... so as far as mass appeal goes...
I think, if anything, they want to topple the PSP, and not the IPod.
Or they need a media player sith very limited gaming features, keeping it transparent. Then they should drop the xbox name. Or they're going for a full blown PSP "killer".
ann0uk 28 Jan 2006 13:58
9/14
Microsoft are making enough money, what are they going to make next? cars? a company should just be content when it gets to the size that microsoft is, and it should be concentrating on what it does best (well..) and that is software.
Why topple the i-pod? Microsoft are pissed that apple is having some success it seems.
Leave apple to make mp3 players and Nintendo to make handhelds, they do it best.
Why topple the i-pod? Microsoft are pissed that apple is having some success it seems.
Leave apple to make mp3 players and Nintendo to make handhelds, they do it best.
Hank 28 Jan 2006 20:32
10/14
realvictory wrote:
DoctorDee wrote:
Coxy wrote:
they will be doing it to be in direct competition with the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS, (I know i'm probably stating the bleeding obvious) even it's functions are the same as the PSP.
I do not believe that those two devices are in "direct competition". OK you can carry both of them around, and both play games. But the PSP's multimedia capabilities, and the DS's wireless capabilities put them in distinctly different camps. The iPod is something completely different again. Microsoft really would have to differentiate themselves, or decide which item they are aiming at.
Still, they are in competition. They all play games in your hand as a primary function. It might just be that one has games that people prefer to the games onthe other one. Which suggests partly why the Gizmondo failed.
I think Microsoft might just be able to get somewhere, if their handheld has a hard disk and some sort of free onilne service. As long as they have a good online Halo for it. But let's face it, either way, it's still probably going to be too big to fit in your pocket, and would probably get so hot that it would burn a hole in your pocket if it isn't. ;)
I am really sick and tired of this "PSP not vs. DS" comment. Those two handhelds are so much in direct competition that if the PSP had two screens, you couldn't tell them apart. You don't go to an electronic store for the PSP and a game store for the DS, you go to the same Gamestop and Best Buy for those two handhelds.
wanderingsoul 28 Jan 2006 23:01
11/14
Microsoft really is not thinking these things through anymore. They are competing for competition's sake rather than competing on the grounds of sensibility. If the Xbox has taught us anything, it's that Microsoft has a very difficult time making up losses on hardware sales. I see this as killer if Microsoft decides to take on iPod and PSP at the same time. PSP is not competing with iPod on any sort of level. iPod video is a gimmick at best, but it is one helluva gimmick! Not to mention it is part of the in crowd in terms of pop-culture. The iPod has done such an effective job at monopolizing the market that people would rather be part of the iPod generation than buy a superior Creative Zen or iRiver (or whatever brand). Sure, you can have a superior product, superior marketing and basically superior everything else, but people will STILL buy an iPod because it is now a fashion icon. Thats something most gadgets will never be able to replicate.
Not only that, but I believe people were sick of Microsoft monopolizing everything while Apple bit the dust. The iPod has firmly secured itself as the portable audio king, and it will be amazingly difficult to dethrone it, even for Microsoft.
Here's to another few billion down the drain!
Not only that, but I believe people were sick of Microsoft monopolizing everything while Apple bit the dust. The iPod has firmly secured itself as the portable audio king, and it will be amazingly difficult to dethrone it, even for Microsoft.
Here's to another few billion down the drain!
PreciousRoi 30 Jan 2006 03:18
12/14
Yeh, not really sure if MS should be engaging in this one at this time, still, they'll have some of the same "advantages" as they did with the Xbox, it'll surely be better, and perhaps the software issue will be addressed, though not likely given thier lackluster performance this time around.
Then again, if they do manage to pull this off, it could be the final link in the chain that apple has been trying to complete from the opposite direction. Microsoft also has the IMNSHO superior position of being a mostly monopolistic vendor of PC OSes, rather than being a PC hardware vendor or (worse?) both hardware and software...
The potential for synergy and functionality between MS hadware and those contrtolled by its products is very obvious and attractive. Wireless networking almost a given. A touchscreen could add sophisticated Remote Control functionality. Dual analog sticks, enabling portable console FPS cement appeal with Xbox core users, the most obvious and easiest targets for MS's Control Over All Your Media Service, mandatory with the next Windows Media Center. Interconnectivity (someone will find and application) with the 360 is certainly probable as well...
MS is also not really too much into the media content providing side of things and has less interest in the...shall we say, provenance of media files you are running though its Media Center...though thats not to say that they won't take steps in the content protection direction.
The next gen console battle could have a massive or less so role in the battle for control over how media content is manipulated at our whims and convienience. Gaming Consoles as we know them are probably in the latter end of thier existence. In the current scheme they provide a set-top box-like capability and native television outputs from RF up to HiDef Component and VGA (on 360?) (no DVI?, ptooey, I spit on your haircut. With flat panels becoming more ubiquitous and Xbox being such a LAN-worthy beastie, why WOULDN"T I want to connect my DFP to my console through DVI? In the future, gaming could be provided via the central through a set-top box of less specific or sophisticated design than a pure gaming console...
Then again, if they do manage to pull this off, it could be the final link in the chain that apple has been trying to complete from the opposite direction. Microsoft also has the IMNSHO superior position of being a mostly monopolistic vendor of PC OSes, rather than being a PC hardware vendor or (worse?) both hardware and software...
The potential for synergy and functionality between MS hadware and those contrtolled by its products is very obvious and attractive. Wireless networking almost a given. A touchscreen could add sophisticated Remote Control functionality. Dual analog sticks, enabling portable console FPS cement appeal with Xbox core users, the most obvious and easiest targets for MS's Control Over All Your Media Service, mandatory with the next Windows Media Center. Interconnectivity (someone will find and application) with the 360 is certainly probable as well...
MS is also not really too much into the media content providing side of things and has less interest in the...shall we say, provenance of media files you are running though its Media Center...though thats not to say that they won't take steps in the content protection direction.
The next gen console battle could have a massive or less so role in the battle for control over how media content is manipulated at our whims and convienience. Gaming Consoles as we know them are probably in the latter end of thier existence. In the current scheme they provide a set-top box-like capability and native television outputs from RF up to HiDef Component and VGA (on 360?) (no DVI?, ptooey, I spit on your haircut. With flat panels becoming more ubiquitous and Xbox being such a LAN-worthy beastie, why WOULDN"T I want to connect my DFP to my console through DVI? In the future, gaming could be provided via the central through a set-top box of less specific or sophisticated design than a pure gaming console...
king skins 30 Jan 2006 10:16
13/14
ann0uk wrote:
Microsoft are making enough money, what are they going to make next? cars? a company should just be content when it gets to the size that microsoft is, and it should be concentrating on what it does best (well..) and that is software.
Why topple the i-pod? Microsoft are pissed that apple is having some success it seems.
Leave apple to make mp3 players and Nintendo to make handhelds, they do it best.
Why topple the i-pod? Microsoft are pissed that apple is having some success it seems.
Leave apple to make mp3 players and Nintendo to make handhelds, they do it best.
I'm sure MS are really pissed that a company they hold a major stake in is doing really well...
And no one or any company should be content if they plan on staying at the top, as soon as you stop trying to go forward you start going backwards.
Running water never goes stale
joe 9 Jul 2009 19:21
14/14
lolage lol lolageness