This week on the GeekWire radio show, we dive into the details of Microsoft’s newly unveiled Xbox One console — including the redesigned controller, the upgraded Kinect sensor, the lack of backward compatibility with the Xbox 360, and the company’s attempt to make this an all-in-one entertainment console.
That discussion begins at 8:00 in the player above. Joining us is journalist Matt Hickey, a contributor to Forbes.com who has been covering all the ins and outs of the new machine.
A big challenge for Microsoft’s Xbox One vision is that the console doesn’t include built-in DVR capability, which means many people will still spending a lot of time with their cable provider’s on-screen interface. This is the biggest area where the new console falls short of being “one box to rule them all.”
One topic we didn’t get a chance to discuss on the show was the Xbox One’s new restrictions for used games and trade-ins. The MCV news site has more background on that issue, although Microsoft says in general that reports about this topic have been inaccurate or incomplete.
Here’s a roundup of GeekWire’s coverage of the unveiling for more details.
- Xbox One: How Microsoft is trying to change the game
- Xbox One: Here is the official video from Microsoft
- Official word: Xbox One requires Internet connection, but not ‘always on’
- Sorry, but Xbox One won’t play Xbox 360 games
- Reactions mixed as group of 14 Xbox fans watch console launch at Microsoft Store
- Up close with Xbox One: Pics, specs and the backside
- Xbox One: Live from Microsoft’s new console unveiling in Redmond
The show begins with our weekly news roundup, including Amazon’s new biosphere plan for its expanded Seattle campus, the company’s annual meeting in Seattle this week, and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s new album.
Our App of the Week is a fun one: William Shatner’s “Shatoetry” poetry app for Android and iOS. It’s normally 99 cents but is currently free for iOS.
Listen to the show above or via this MP3 file.