Microsoft has announced the Xbox One gaming console at a May 21st event in Redmond, Washington. Microsoft is pushing the new console as an “all in one experience” for all kinds of entertainment — music, television, movies, and video games.
The Xbox One will allow users to instantly switch between video games, television shows, movies, music, and even an internet browser using voice commands, and also features new Kinect gestures for switching between running apps. Users can also have multiple apps running simultaneously with the newly announced Snapmode. Microsoft’s new console also features a live television guide that allows users to navigate using conversational voice commands like “Show CBS” and “What’s on HBO?” The Xbox One Guide also has a Favorites section so users can keep track of their favorite shows, as well as a Trending section that surfaces the most popular content on Xbox Live. The Xbox One will feature “game DVR” to allow games to capture and share gaming moments online.
As for hardware, the Xbox One includes an 8 Core CPU, 8GB RAM, 500 GB HDD, Blu-ray, USB 3.0, Wi-fi direct 802.11n. At the event, Microsoft also unveiled a new Kinect motion sensor, a redesigned controller, and revamped Smart Glass and Xbox Live.
There will be a host of new games available for the new console including Call of Duty: Ghosts, Fifa 14 and Madden NFL 25.
Microsoft will have more information and additional game announcements at this year’s E3 conference. The gaming system will be released before the end of this year.