xbox 720

The 404 1,076: Where you don't know you're beautiful (podcast)

Hope you're sitting down for this: Jeff actually has positive words about a movie he saw this weekend! Without giving away the surprise, suffice it to say that Jeff's complaints about the lack of creativity in film and his disgust with the movie-going experience disappeared for two hours on Friday.

In advance of Microsoft's mysterious press event today, we'll speculate what's in store for the software giant and how it could fit into the 56-page road map document that leaked over the weekend.… Read more

Why we believe most of the massive Xbox roadmap rumor

An atomic rumor in the gaming world exploded on Saturday, perhaps the largest in recent memory, innocently tucked away in a random NeoGAF forum thread. The weapon, a leaked 56-page confidential Microsoft Powerpoint file, serves as a possible early vision for Microsoft's Xbox strategy through 2015 by including juicy conceptual details about the code-named Xbox 720, Kinect 2, and several pairs of augmented-reality glasses.

CNET contacted Microsoft for comment, and a representative noted the company doesn't comment on rumor or speculation.

Within the presentation reside some sensational conceptual ideas for the future of Microsoft's overall entertainment platform. Honestly, despite the bold propositions, very little of it reads as farfetched or illogical. As the hours progressed past the initial leak, an assortment of supplementary details gave further credibility to this massively impactful document (originally teased last month by Nukezilla). First, the basics. … Read more

'Kinect Glasses' coming from Microsoft?

If a supposedly leaked, 56-page Microsoft document is the real deal, we've now got more details on the Xbox 720, as well as on the next version of Kinect. We've also got an intriguing glimpse of a Google glasses-like project called Project Fortaleza.

Our sister site CNET UK has a report on the document, which was written about by The Verge earlier today. Among other things, the document says the 720 console will feature Blu-ray functionality for showing high-def movies and will be able to play films in 3D. Check out the CNET UK story here.

Will we see Xbox 720 in 2013, PlayStation 4 in 2014?

There's no official word yet on the release date for the next-generation successors to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, but a recent Los Angeles Times article suggests the launch timeframe for the next-generation gaming consoles could happen over the next several years.

The latest rumor originates from a recent lawsuit involving Activision that brought to light details of the company's publishing agreement with game developer Bungie.

The contract, a 10-year deal made between the two companies in 2010, indicates that Activision expects Bungie to launch a sci-fantasy, action shooter game code-named "Destiny" in November 2013 for the Xbox 360 as well as a specifically referenced Xbox 720. A game for the PlayStation 4 would arrive in 2014, as noted in the official agreement between Activision and Bungie.

So did that contract just inadvertently announce when we should expect the next Xbox and PlayStation consoles?… Read more

Xbox 720 to ship with 16-core CPU?

Can you imagine the raw power of a costly enterprise server in your next game console?

The latest rumor circulating about the upcoming Microsoft console (aka, the Xbox 720) indicates that it will contain a monster CPU. According to U.K.-based ComputerAndVideoGames.com, the console could be equipped with a 16-core IBM PowerPC chip reportedly found in some early development machines. Wait, 16 cores?

While a powerful CPU would be a nice boost for enabling more intelligent game engines, it's actually the GPU that takes care of complex graphics rendering such as tessellation and anti-aliasing. Confused? Think lifelike texture and smooth jaggies-free outlines of your game characters for starters.

The same source, which provided the lead, also cited a 2013 launch for the Xbox 720.

(Source: Crave Asia) … Read more

Next Xbox reportedly shipping with Blu-ray, not DVD

Although Microsoft has said the next Xbox won't be launching anytime soon, the rumor mill just won't quit.

Gaming blog VG247 is now reporting that Microsoft is hard at work on the next Xbox, and when it finally launches late next year, it'll come with a Blu-ray player. The device will also ship with two AMD GPUs, making it "like two PCs taped together," the blog's sources say.

Those reports aren't necessarily groundbreaking. AMD has hinted from time to time that it'll be Microsoft's partner in the next Xbox. Gaming blog … Read more

Say hello to the brave new world of console gaming

The next evolution of home console gaming is shaping up like a dystopian Philip K. Dick short story. Refueled by the latest PlayStation 4 rumor, signs continue to point to a future in which games are no longer really yours to own, instead being just something you have a right to play -- as long as you're connected to the Internet, have a unique ownership ID, and aren't playing a used copy.

This isn't the first we've heard of this either; a January report says Microsoft's next machine will attempt to thwart used games too.

Of course, Sony hasn't confirmed any of these supposedly leaked details, but is it really out of the realm of possibility? The Vita is a prime example of the company's piracy paranoia. It's locked down and vacuum-sealed, made painfully apparent by how tedious it is doing trivial things like transferring files between device and computer. The reason for all the red tape? To combat piracy. … Read more

Bonus for Apple shareholders

Links from Monday's episode of Loaded:

The 404 1,010: Where we've got some pi in our eye (podcast)

A worldwide zombie invasion is the perfect hypothetical setting for survivalist tips, and Jeff and I can't help but explore a few of them after watching this week's episode of "The Walking Dead."

After we get that out our system, the rest of today's rundown consists of AOL laying off the majority of its AIM unit, waving goodbye to the printed Encyclopedia Britannica, and a city in the U.K. shaming away loitering youth with pink lighting that exposes acne.… Read more