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Microsoft megatons? 2 announcements in 2 days

http://www.courant.com/business/hc-xbox0328.artmar28,0,129907.story?coll=hc-headlines-business

REDMOND, Wash. -- Microsoft Corp. will sell a version of its Xbox 360 with a 120-gigabyte hard drive and a souped-up high-definition video connection in a bid to broaden the appeal of its popular console beyond video games.

Earlier versions of Xbox 360 came with 20 gigabytes of storage. But that filled up too quickly with movies, TV shows and games from the Xbox Live Marketplace online store, said Peter Moore, a corporate vice president in Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment group.

The new Xbox 360 Elite will sell for $479.99. Consumers who already own the $399.99 20-gigabyte model will be able to buy a snap-on 120-gigabyte hard drive for $179.99.

The new console and the drive are expected to hit U.S. shelves April 29.

Microsoft also added an HDMI connection, which sends high-definition content from the console to the TV without losing picture or sound quality, while also helping prevent piracy.

Xbox 360 was the No. 2 U.S. video game console after Nintendo Co.'s Wii in January and February, according to data from market researcher NPD Group. The Xbox outpaced Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3, a $599.99 console that plays Blu-ray DVDs.

Microsoft's decision to upgrade the Xbox 360 is the latest of many steps the software maker has taken to position its products at the center of home entertainment.

Microsoft has incorporated Media Center software, which can turn a computer into a digital video recorder, movie and music player, into all but the most basic version of its new Windows Vista operating system.

And Xbox 360 users can connect the console to their home network, then stream movies, music and other content from the computer to the Xbox and television.

Unlike Sony, Microsoft has not added a high-def DVD player to the console, but consumers can buy an external HD DVD player for the Xbox for $199.99.

On Wednesday, Microsoft also announced deals to bring new high-def video to the Xbox Live Marketplace, including New Line Cinema's film "Snakes on a Plane" and coming releases from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment's direct-to-video division.

Microsoft's focus on downloadable high-def video sets the effort apart from the competition, Moore said.

He said the content fills a gap between cable companies' DVR services for fresh TV episodes, Tivo Inc. and Amazon.com Inc.'s standard-definition content available over the Web, and Apple Inc.'s recent move to send iTunes movies and music to the TV from a Mac.

At the core, though, video game players aren't going to choose their system based on its ability to play movies or television shows, said Anita Frazier, an analyst for NPD Group.

"To the extent [the consoles] do other things, it's great, but this industry is all about the games," she said.
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four articles and go to sleep.. wow, now i can't sleep!

apocalidiot said:
neogaf.gif
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:lol :lol :lol
 
One of the announcements is obviously the Elite. But the other one, it could be the Gears DLC that the 1up guys were raving about on 1up yours. April should have 0 1st party games released from MS, so it would be a great time to unleash its highest profile DLC of the year (up to this point anyway). Here's hoping for a new game mode outside of deathmatch for the biggest shooter on Xbox 360. :lol
 
UncleGuito said:
That's shit, I didn't want it to be true.
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With Sony firing a PR in response to it and now news sources are printing it as fact are slowly making it true before it becomes announced.
 
This is bullshat this should have been on my 360 day 1.

They know we are going to slap down $479 just like they know we are going to slap down $150 for Halo 3
 
I found it sort of ironic that the headline is "Microsoft Upgrading Xbox 360 To Widen Its Appeal". When Microsoft said they were going to try to broaden 360's appeal, I never thought they'd go in Sony's direction. How is this supposed to do anything to attract a wider audience? If anything it'll confuse people. Oh well I guess it's not "bad", but it seems like a waste.
 
Fletcher said:
Jesus Christ, Microsoft. My 360 isn't even a year old yet.
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Don't worry, they will come out with a Blue one in 2008 called the XBOX 360 Proletariat. Which will cost $199 but it has the DVD drive seperate for $199.
 
April NPD should be interesting. As much as people dont like this, it will probably sell a lot when it comes out from preorders and upgraders.
 
GhaleonEB said:
Yeah, no shit. This is one of the single dumbest moves I've ever seen in this industry.
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Please, do tell. If this is limtied edition I would love to know how that is so doom and gloom. People seem to continue to ignore this. The shit will sell out day 1.
 
BenjaminBirdie said:
Did it really say "a bid to broaden the appeal"?

Oh, Microsoft.

:lol
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I don't understand MS. How can they be so blind? Time for a reality check here MS, Wii is the one selling 300k+ a month not the Ps3, actually believe it or not, the 360 is selling above the Ps3.

So how about...start worrying about the Wii and it's price tag.

Seriouslly...increasing the price...cmon man. Unheard of.
 
Jtyettis said:
Please, do tell. If this is limtied edition I would love to know how that is so doom and gloom. People seem to continue to ignore this. The shit will sell out day 1.
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What doesnt sell out it's first day/week?!
 
Groovy Ninja said:
This is bullshat this should have been on my 360 day 1.

They know we are going to slap down $479 just like they know we are going to slap down $150 for Halo 3
Click to expand...

its called dedication, love, happiness, and pride.
 
For the price you would think that they would throw in a hd-dvd drive internal, I mean why not? (other than keeping with their it wont happen thing.)
With their moving toward downloadable Hd content you have to wonder if they are washing their hands of the hd-dvd thing.
 
Big Zep said:
What doesnt sell out it's first day/week?!
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Ignoring the real question I see. Oh yea and to answer your question Euro PS3s.

That is the whole point if it is LE. How is that going to hurt MS, please, like I said, I would love to know. If anything, this could insignificantly boost their user base.
 
Jtyettis said:
Please, do tell. If this is limtied edition I would love to know how that is so doom and gloom. People seem to continue to ignore this. The shit will sell out day 1.
Click to expand...

I don't think it's doom and gloom at all. As I've said, I don't think it will make a dent in their marketshare. I just don't think it will broaden their appeal, (a), and (b) I wanted to play Gears Act 5 tonight.

:D
 
Big Zep said:
What doesnt sell out it's first day/week?!
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And what if it's not limited? I was responding to the article above, which makes no mention of a limited run. They should be dropping the price at this point in the lifecycle, not introducing a higher-priced SKU.
 
damn I need HDMI >_<
this sux, I would buy a PS3 for the Bluray but it doesn't up scale DVDs like the 360. oh wel guess Im buying a second 360
 
LOL, what a horrible move. They should have just released the 120GB drive at a REASONABLE price ($100) for those that actually use the movie/tv downloads and poo-pooed the need for HDMI at this point. All they are doing is validating EVERYTHING Sony put into the PS3:

-Added 1080p - CHECK
-Added HD movie drive option - CHECK
-Added HDMI - CHECK
-Added Larger hard drive - CHECK

To boot, they are the first company to release a MORE expensive version of their console this far into the cycle, possibly making it an easier decision for undecided consumers to choose the PS3.
 
GhaleonEB said:
And what if it's not limited? I was responding to the article above, which makes no mention of a limited run. They should be dropping the price at this point in the lifecycle, not introducing a higher-priced SKU.
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Well, if, that is a big if, we still do not have the MS press release, then yea, Houston we got a problem.
 
LuCkymoON said:
damn I need HDMI >_<
this sux, I would buy a PS3 for the Bluray but it doesn't up scale DVDs like the 360. oh wel guess Im buying a second 360
Click to expand...

DVD upscaling has been confirmed in a firmware update very soon.
 
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