There was a roomful of gamer workstations on display to demonstrate the system to the press
Killer racing game.
This week I got to visit the worldwide Xbox 360 dog and pony show when Microsoft Gaming division came to the Bay Area to show off both the Xbox 360 as well as all the new games for it. There was also a demonstration of how well the Xbox360 integrates over a home network with any Media PC. It seems as if there will also be an interesting Xbox branded Home Theater speaker system including an Xbox sub-woofer.
Integration with Media Center PC and other devices. Hi-def display a huge plus.
In short this system is nothing less than spectacular. From the GUI to the games this will be one hot Christmas seller I can assure you. Its integration with both media players and digital cameras is seamless. The unit itself is attractive and can be set up vertical or horizontal. Look for a large third-party market for “skins” and front plates. The hard disk is removable and sits on the top when in the vertical position. It pops right off and can easily be replaced. I suspect some third party types may tap into this potential market for the hard disk. You’ll be reading a lot of raves about this system as Christmas approaches. As I’ve said over the years the gaming group at Microsoft is the most creative group at the company and kudos to Gates for letting them push forward with this project. This goes on my “recommended” list. .
I’m pretty sure the Xbox audio system is already out–it was marketed as an affordable 5.1 system for the current system; also notice that the color is black. Its unique satellites are licensed from Mirage Audio, and they’re supposed to sound very good.
I like that last picture with the iPod and the “Apple Changes” what ever it is.
I think that actually says “APPLY Changes”
had mine on pre-order for several months now… i’ve taken launch day through the following weekend off… i’m ready.
[and actually, beelzebub, that says ‘apply changes’, not ‘apple changes’.]
It says “Apply Changes”, not “Apple Changes”.
my bad, i thought it was a browser window or something because of the mouse on the side
One of the things you’re not considering is the price tag. And let me assure you the average consumer is familiar with paying for things. The normal package is going to retail for $400, and while there will be a $300 no-frills package, it’s clearly a waste of money as you don’t get a hard drive — You can’t play games from the first Xbox! I think Microsoft is pricing themselves out of the market this time around.
While Apple is going sleek, small and minimal, Microsoft is going clunky.
I, personally, don’t mind clunky so much but I would have expected Microsoft to at least borrow a little from Apple’s tremendous recent design successes.
I haven’t owned a console in years, but will probably be buying this system. Very impressive.
One question: I see the X-Box 360 pictured with a Media Center PC. Why? Personally, I did the HTPC thing for a year and abandoned it (in favor of an upconverting DVD player and an Airport Express). In my circle of friends and co-workers I know of no one who has a computer connected to their TV. Is there any proof out there that people are using Media Center PCs as Media Centers?
$300 is the standard asking price for every non-Nintendo game system since Playstation – and none of those came with a HDD and see how well they sold. As for the $400 pricetag, it may be “pricing themselves out of the market this time,” but the same could easily be said about the upcoming PS3 (fall 2006) which is rumored to cost as much or more. Considering what the machine can do (besides just games), $400 is not that bad of an asking price. Many, many people pay a lot more for devices that do far less, as a very shrewed consumer, I cannot see where one could go wrong with the $400 expenditure.
As for the funky speaker system by Spherex (sister company to Mirage Speakers), they have been out for about a year and can be had for a pretty fair price (as low as $200 less than MSRP) if you shop around. I’ve been using the Mirage Omni Series speakers for my home theater setup for several years now and can honestly testify that the new omni-polar audio technology is the best that I have even listened to for movies or for games. The set ran me over $3000 after the tax and I had been looking for something relatively as good, yet much more affordable to go into the bedrooms. The Spherex speakers came out for thousands cheaper than the Mirages, they used the same omnipolar technology and even though they can’t hope to compare with my main setup on my home theater, they blow away every other sub-$500 speaker system on the market. Right now I have a spare copy of all my systems (Xbox, Gamecube, PS2, PC and DVD player) plugged into it in my bedroom, and they work out spectacular – well worth the investment if you can find a set.
It’s still just a console with better graphics…a game machine for pre-teen intellectuals and rednecks. : ) The more highly evolved gamers will stick with the PC.
Wishful thinking or not, you’re still only getting the value for which your paying. People act like this is some kind of miracle machine that will restart their heart when all the cheesy poofs stop it. In this country, marketing hype is more contagious than the flu.