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Xbox Portable for E3 2009
I've never really done predictions but I just wanted to consider one possible announcement Microsoft could make at their E3 presser on June 1st. I'd do the PS3 and Wii as well but since I only own an Xbox 360, I think I have a better chance of getting this right than if I made predictions for the other consoles.Let's consider the different rumors:
Xbox and Zune integration
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Zune in June
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Along with this consider the company's reticence going head-to-head with the iPhone by launching its own hardware. The Windows Mobile philosophy has always been "our software, your hardware". I don't see Microsoft breaking away from this and getting embroiled in yet another hardware battle for mobile devices. I think the company is planning on a backdoor entry to the consumer handset market just the way they used the Xbox to get into the home entertainment market.
What we'll possibly see is an Xbox Portable Zune phone, not positioned as a competitor to the iPhone or the Palm Pre but as a competitor to the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP. Think less iPhone (though it will definitely compete with the iPhone) and more Nokia's N-Gage.
What do they get out of this?
- They already have a legion of Xbox 360 owners who would pounce at the device for portable gaming.
- They will capture the existing Zune users (are there any?) and potentially sell them on the Xbox 360 (depending on the level of integration).
- They will have another pitch against Sony for its PSP/PS3 combo.
- They will have a play in the mobile phone market without giving an impression to the WinMo partners that the ZuneBox will canabalize the sales of other devices: Hey, it's just a portable gaming device!
- It can't hurt their position in the marketplace given how much the company has gained from its Xbox business (while losing billions).
I'm not going to be standing in line to buy one of these. Atleast for now, I'm very satisfied with my iPhone and really don't see doing a lot of mobile gaming in the coming year. What do you think?
Philips LivingColors Mini
I just bought the Philips LivingColors Mini lamp for my room. Awesome product for a very affordable price. It's true what they say: different lighting, different moods. If you can afford it, go for the higher end version Philip LivingColors. Great styling as well. permalink 0 commentsXbox 360 motion detection and 3D
I'm trying to put two and two together on this one:+
Rather than go the Nintendo route, this would be a game-changing (literally) effort from the company. As close to full immesion as you can get, without the use of holograms. Imagine a boxing game where the fighter not only appears to come out-of-the-screen but where you can interact with him by punching his face and see real-time effects. Why not?
I just saw my first 3D movie (My Bloody Valentine) and when the movie started, one of the first things I instinctively did was to try and touch the characters popping off the screen. If this could be translated to a game setting, we could have some serious fun on our hands. Ofcourse, this does not diminish the utility of the normal control schemes. I don't see this being THE way games will be controlled once introduced.
I have a good feeling this might be what we're in for at Microsoft's "blockbuster" keynote at this year's E3.
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