Hasta La Gadget!

It seems like it was literally two days ago when Sony finally unveiled its PlayStation 4 to the world, and even though its unveiling raised way more questions than answers, Sony officially made the first move to delivering their next-generation video game console. Now, all eyes are on Microsoft to play catch up and announce their next-generation Xbox, which according to a number of developers and other industry professionals, may come as soon as April.

In addition to the majority of the video game industry believing Microsoft plans on unveiling their next-generation Xbox in early April, it looks as through Ustechs, who is a platform holder who has worked with Microsoft on a number of media briefings, has registered the domain XboxEvent.com.

Both companies have normally shown off their next-generation consoles at E3, so holding media briefings outside of the show is something unique to this generation of consoles. When you consider how aggressive both companies have been with its products over the years, we can’t blame either Sony nor Microsoft for wanting to get the ball rolling on the next generation of game consoles as soon as possible.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Sony’s PS4 Event Unveiling Next-Gen Battlefield 4? [Rumor], Sony’s Next-gen PlayStation Could Stream PS3 Games According To Report,

There’s a lot of talk going on about Microsoft‘s next-generation gaming console, but we haven’t heard a whole lot about the console’s next-generation Kinect sensor add-on. According to a leak, the new Kinect will feature quite a bit of upgrades from the current sensor, including full HD streaming, and a quicker latency that’s cut down by a third from the current Kinect sensor.

The next-generation Kinect sensor is said to be able to stream 1920 x 1080 at 30fps, and will come with a USB 3.0 connection. The sensor will also have a wider field of view, going from 57.5˚ horizontally and 43.5˚ vertically to 70˚ horizontally and 60˚ vertically. The new Kinect will also be able to allegedly track six players rather than just two.

On top of the RGB stream being full HD, the depth stream will also be higher resolution at 512 x 424 instead of 320 x 240. The new Kinect will also come with an IR stream for the first time, with a resolution of 512 x 424. Thanks to the improved streaming abilities, the sensor will be able to separate objects in close depth proximity, as well as capture depth curvature around edges better.

What’s perhaps most interesting, though, is the lack of a vertical tilt motor in this next-gen Kinect sensor. We’re not sure why exactly Microsoft would cut this out, but it most likely has to do with cutting down on production costs. Again, this is all just a leak and is unconfirmed, so we’re definitely taking it with a grain of salt, but hopefully we’ll hear more about the Xbox 720 and the new Kinect at E3 in June.

[via The Next Web]

Microsoft next-gen Kinect sensor to support 1080p, USB 3.0, and 60ms latency is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Seeing how many rumors of the PlayStation 4 and next-generation Xbox have been circulating over the past few months, it’s safe to say the next generation of video game consoles will soon be upon us. How soon has been anyone’s guess, but if some leaked marketing materials for Ubisoft’s upcoming game Watch Dogs is to be believed, then you better start saving up now to buy your next-generation consoles this holiday season.

When Ubisoft’s Watch Dogs debuted at E3 2012, we knew it would be a next-generation game shortly after its debut that would make its way to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 as well. Leaked promotional materials were obtained by Kotaku which call Watch Dogs a game for “all home consoles” expected to be released this holiday season.

This leaked promotional material pretty much confirms the PlayStation 4 and next-generation Xbox will be made available this holiday season, which means you have nine months of saving to plan if you expect to pick either one of them up later this year.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Destiny: The Newest First Person Shooter For Xbox and Playstation, Sony’s Next-gen PlayStation Could Stream PS3 Games According To Report,

One of the most terrifying prospects we’ve heard in the past few years surrounding a gaming console – or a computer of any type, for that matter, has been re-addressed this week with the Xbox 720. This machine has not yet been confirmed as even being in development by Microsoft as of yet, but another bag of tips has been revealed with specifications and features included with the device that may set your hair on end. The first and perhaps most important of these is the idea that the included Kinect camera need to be plugged in to the machine at all times – and that it’ll be watching you constantly.

The Xbox 720 has been tipped as currently being distributed to developers under code-name Durango. Under that code-name we’ve seen a collection of information leaks large and small over the past year or so, with quite a few more than usual stacking up over the past few months. Today a source is speaking with Kotaku about this developer unit complete with a note that the features included on this unit will, for the most part, be included on the final Xbox build as well.

One element in play on this device appears to be a requirement for the new and improved Kinect camera sensor to be plugged in and active whenever you’re operating your Xbox. That’s all well and good, right? No harm in having a piece of the device plugged in as long as it’s not recording me playing Halo with uncombed hair, yes? Not if it has any implementation of Patent 20120278904 it’s not.

That patent application goes by the name Content Distribution Regulation by Viewing User. This application is for a “content presentation system and method” (the Xbox with Kinect, in this case) allowing content providers (Microsoft or whatever video company is participating) to “regulate the presentation of content on a per-user-view basis.” With this system Microsoft describes how “the users consuming the content on a display device are monitored so that if the number of user-views licensed is exceeded, remedial action may be taken.”

We must assume that this means the video being watched will throw up a warning sign, and now that the Xbox will explode into flame, of course. The same source as mentioned above has provided the image you see above this paragraph, this image coming from a specifications manual provided to developers (or so they say) here in the pre-release calm before the storm. This new Xbox 720 system will be able to not only see more “skeletons” than before (6 in one room!) it’ll have additional contact points – thumbs and all.

Have a peek at the timeline below to see more insights on what the Xbox 720 might bring later this year. And don’t forget – the Xbox 720 isn’t actually confirmed to in existence in any capacity by Microsoft as yet. We’ll hear from them soon – we hope!

Xbox 720 may be “always watching” with mandatory Kinect is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

We’re almost certain that next-generation Xbox and PlayStation game consoles will be launching this year. Rumors continue to point to the first unveil of the consoles sometime before E3 with a launch later this year for both products. While the next-generation Xbox had been expected to debut before the next-generation PlayStation, that no longer seems the case with the PS4 all but a sure thing for a February 20th reveal.

A new rumor is making the rounds today that the next Xbox (aka the “Xbox 720″) will support more sophisticated voice control technology than is currently offered by the Kinect. According to the rumor, the Durango, which is the codename for the next-generation Xbox, will feature support for “wake on voice.” That would mean you could turn the console on using your voice. The console is also tipped to support natural language controls, which should be a major improvement over the current voice commands. The voice control technology is said to be similar to Apple’s Siri technology, allowing you to ask things like “what are my friends playing.” A speech-to-text capability could also allow for faster text messages and data entry without need for a keyboard.

Microsoft is also reportedly investigating the ability to allow Kinect sensors to detect the individuals in a room and suggest appropriate multiple player games.

[via The Verge]