A lot of unrest over complex set of requirements for the shiny new console from Microsoft, after a lot of speculation, the Redmond giant finally clears things out.
Microsoft has been providing quite a few updates on their next -gen console Xbox One, with some rather interesting news regarding the the plugged in Kinect feature, controller compatibility with the PC and a video that reveals the chat headset is now included. Gamers have been looking forward for an official confirmation on these aspects of the new console and Microsoft have responded rather well on their website. Obviously a reactionary move, as the software giant continues to cope with public backlash accusing it of a complex list of requirements for the upcoming console. Let us start with the recent updates on the Xbox One:
Xbox One won’t require plugged-in Kinect
There was a long standing rumour that the Xbox One would require the Kinect to be plugged in. However, Xbox Corporate VP Marc Whitten has told IGN that Xbox One does not need the Kinect in order to function normally, which is contrary to previous statement made in May by Corporate VP Phil Spencer.
Now it seems that Microsoft has made way for a previously understood requirement which tied the console and its Kinect motion sensor accessory.
It turns out that the Xbox one will work perfectly without the Kinect connected to it. Talking to IGN lst week, Whitten revealed that “like online, the console will still function if Kinect isn’t plugged in, although you won’t be able to use any feature or experience that explicitly uses the sensor.”
Video reveals that a chat headset is now included
Whitten also announced that the Xbox One will ship with a mono audio headset, as seen in an in-house unboxing video.This again is contrary to what the company previously said, that Xbox One would not include a pack-in headset, but in the video Microsoft’s Major Nelson has confirmed that both the Day One and Standard Edition do come with the accessory.
Whitten also said that the headset features improved audio quality that is “is night and day compared to chat on the Xbox 360.”
The Standard and Day One bundles, both priced at $500, both come with the new Kinect, HDMI cable, power supply, and Quick Start guide and the console.Check out the video below:
Xbox One controllers to be compatible with PC in 2014
The Xbox One controller will work with the Windows PC,However not when the Xbox One launches later this year.A Microsoft representative claims that the company hopes to rollout the drivers by 2014.
“As we’ve stated, the Xbox One controller, although it looks similar in many ways, shares no underlying technology with the current Xbox 360 controller. New wireless protocol, combined with the ability to work in ‘wired’ mode, and the addition of features like Impulse triggers, means that new software has to be written and optimized for the PC,” the representative told CVG. He also said that they must ensure that existing games supporting Xbox 360 controllers also support the Xbox One game pad.
One of the key differences between the Xbox One and Xbox 360 controllers is Wired Mode, which allows an Xbox One controller, when connected through micro-USB, to disable its radios and operate as a true wired controller.
Xbox One will be launched in 21 markets this November. The price of the next-gen console has been set at £425 / €499 / $499.
Source: Joystiq