Xbox 360 cam gets new look and May launch date?

It looks like Microsoft is prepping their Xbox 360 cam -- for serious this time -- for release this May, along with a "Quick Charge Kit" for keeping two controller batteries primed (which includes an extra rechargeable battery). The source is supposedly an unreleased Chinese issue of the Official Xbox Magazine, and this new look matches the most recent version of the camera we've seen first hand. But there's no telling if this will be the version that actually makes it to stores, or if that fabled day will be in May, but things are looking good for among us inclined to video chatting and awkward gesture-based games.

[Via Joystiq]

[Whisky @ Feb 21st 2006 4:26PM]

they should concentrate on having Xbox 360 systems available in stores in stock!

[JMW @ Feb 21st 2006 4:34PM]

This is different from the one they just posted on their web site.

[Andre @ Feb 21st 2006 4:34PM]

I'm lukewarm about this camera. I swear to god, no guy better flash his privates in front of that camera.

[James @ Feb 21st 2006 4:40PM]

They have had these pictures at my Circuit City for ages now, with these exact photos and description... strange.

[nojok3 @ Feb 21st 2006 4:46PM]

They should concentrate on backwards compatibility. I don't know about you guys, but if relatives saw a webcame on top of my tv, I would die or embarrasment.

[vincent @ Feb 21st 2006 5:33PM]

i think its pointless to have a camera. If your playing games with the xbox then wats a camera gonna do?

[Daniel @ Feb 21st 2006 5:49PM]

Yeah that version of the camera has been on dispay for quite a while. Just look at the display systems at Best Buy.

[Alex @ Feb 21st 2006 6:43PM]

Why the hell do you need a camera for a console? Copy off of Sony's EyeToy maybe? Yeah, great job Microsoft. As #3 says, all it's going to do is raise sex offenders, now online on video consoles.

[Shamma Banks @ Feb 21st 2006 7:00PM]

I think it should be shaped like a mini 360, although it does not matter to me there is no way in hell i am getting one.

[HeistGoneWrong @ Feb 21st 2006 7:17PM]

I've been saying all along that they were saving this, a big dashboard update and more backcompat news for E3. This pretty much just cements my thinking.

[tom @ Feb 21st 2006 7:21PM]

how can it be 'coming soon' AND be in 'may 2006' ?
i mean, the sentence 'coming soon in may 2006' makes no real sense at all, so i smell a fake.

[Andre @ Feb 21st 2006 7:38PM]

I don't see the purpose when playing online games. Why would you want to look at another guy when playing? Maybe for those lame camera games the PS2 has, or some sort of communication with family friends across the country or in another country - I have cousins in the UK that would get it if I did.

[crysalis @ Feb 21st 2006 7:54PM]

Ugh.. it's hideous! It looks like those 50's Televisions.. something out of the jetsons perhaps, what they THOUGHT looked futuristic 40 years ago

[thanggnuyen @ Feb 21st 2006 8:02PM]

I wonder what innovations the Xbox 360 can make of this add on? On behalf of gamers, I hope this will enable video voip. That is just one of many scenarios that can be realized this cam. The new xbox might have a new killer app on its hand.

[met @ Feb 21st 2006 8:33PM]

It would be fun playing with friends I have in other places/countries. People I already know (not strangers :) )

[Garriq @ Feb 21st 2006 9:47PM]

I also do not really see the point in this. Of course, it will raise sex offenders and whatnot. Someone might even make a haul selling pr0n on their 360. (LOL) Plus, will it be wireless, or is that too much to ask for?

[SOAD @ Feb 21st 2006 11:56PM]

Eughhh. I liked the other design much better. This one looks a little......cheap

but watever, I can't wait for the Quick Charge Kit!

PRICE, PLEASE!

[Smoke_Dawg_187 @ Feb 22nd 2006 12:34AM]

True the other version of the camera did look a whole lot better. But the video VoIP should be pretty tight. Ugly people won't bother with the camera. Plus you can report anyone doing anything sexual to the Xbox Live Staff. They'll take it extremely serious. Just an easier way to weed out the bad people and make the online experience even better.

[Dark Painter @ Feb 22nd 2006 1:09AM]

in reply to post #17: reporting individuals sexually exposing themselves over xbox live, to the xbox live staff is a great idea. however, sore loosers, or other mentally off-set persons, might just report false exposure and suspend innocent players. the XBL staff might have to record the content broadcase through their servers if they intend to release this for XBL use. just my two cents.

[JA1230 (hiro2525) @ Feb 22nd 2006 4:35AM]

Is NOT A FAKE god damnit!!!! i personally scanned those images!!!!

[RejectedAcorn @ Feb 22nd 2006 5:43AM]

a camera is definitely unnecessary for the 360, and a lot of people make some pretty strong points on how this camera would have to be very good quality to produce the desired effect, think about it the only people that are gonna have these YOU WONT WANT TO SEE!!! I agree with anyone who says we need more consoles on the shelves and more backward compatibility

the quick charge kit is definitely a more sensible accessory

[Anthony @ Feb 22nd 2006 5:27PM]

That webcam is so fake. Why is "Video Chat" capitalized but "messaging" isn't?

[Raving Lunatic @ Feb 28th 2006 8:50AM]

# 14, you cannot hope on behalf of gamers for voIP, solely because most gamers (at least the ones i know) hate the 360 anyway, and Microsoft, for that matter. Saying you hope on behalf of gamers implies that we all feel the same as you. But we don't. So take your hope and shove it, cuz Microsoft isn't going to be in the market for much longer, mainly because of something that commenter # 1 mentioned.

[alan @ Aug 28th 2006 7:25PM]

I,ve always said if you don,t like it don,t buy it i,m going to get 2 and i think i will happy with both.