With the Nov. 22 launch date fast approaching, Microsoft is offering up more details on their next gen console, the Xbox One.
The tech company posted a blog post trying to drum up more excitement for the Xbox One. The focus was to show potential customers that the console is about more than just video games, something they have continually harped on.
The post outlined how users can interact with the Xbox One using their voice. "A simple voice command turns on your Xbox One, your TV, your set-top box and your AV system." One could say "Xbox, go to ESPN" and your TV would change itself.
The blog post also highlights the console's ability to "snap two experiences together," as well as using peripherals with it, like Xbox SmartGlass.
Microsoft wants the Xbox One to be used for everything, the Los Angeles Times reports. "One of the goals we have for the Xbox One is for it to be the games and entertainment system for people in their homes," said Jose Pinero, Xbox marketing director.
The company is trying to make the console easy to use and quicker to access what each person might want. One way is that the Kinect controller (a feature not everyone has been excited about) recognizes each person as they boot up the system and shows their favorite games, TV channels and more. Their voice command system is also supposed to reduce the need to scroll through menus as users can simply state what they want.
Microsoft's focus on entertainment and luring in casual gamers might be leaving their more hardcore consumer base confused. They are the ones who will likely be in line on day one for the console and their focus is usually more on games. "Microsoft is trying to do too many things," Michael Pachter, of Wedbush Securities, said. "Everything they're trying to do is swell, but they're doing too many things to communicate clearly."
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