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Rumor mill: next gen Xboxes + Kinect 2 to read lips, track fingers, make unicorns real
Pinches of salt at the ready, folks. According to the latest speculation, Microsoft's sequel to the Xbox 360 will actually be two models, a pared down set-top box for casual gamers and a heftier model for the hardcore. Either way, Xbox 720 / Xbox Loop's getting paired up with a revised version of the magnificent Kinect hardware. The digital grapevine's saying that Kinect 2 will be able to read your lips, track your fingers and sense the tone of your voice to determine if you've come over all angry. It can't do that currently thanks to its USB cable, which can only transmit 16MB/s of data -- limiting the camera's resolution to 320 x 240 at 30fps. We don't know what protocol the new sensor bar will use, but we do know that either USB 3.0 (which can transmit 400 MB/s) or Intel's Thunderbolt (700MB/s) would remove such limitations. In related news, 2012's Kinect for Windows is getting a shorter USB cable for better data integrity and a refocused image sensor that will switch to "near mode" to see objects 50cm away -- which means a whole bunch of classic Kinects and Nyko Zooms are gonna wind up as a filling for a New Mexico landfill.
New Xbox 360 4GB's packaging shows off 250GB HDD upgrade option
It seems like a no-brainer, but at this point Microsoft has yet to confirm a separate 250GB HDD for its new Xbox 360 consoles -- and really, if you're picking up the 4GB model next month, that might come in handy. Newer press shots show a different side of the packaging, however, and if you get a high-res snapshot, you can see that it's touting the various accessories you can buy to enhance your new Xbox 360 4GB experience: wireless controllers, Kinect, and... a 250GB HDD. Now, it could very well be misleading advertising -- such a disc drive already exists, but you have to buy the current slimmed-down model or Halo Reach special edition bundle to get it. Somehow, though, we get the feeling this HDD is destined to be wrapped in separate packaging all by its lonesome -- Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg even insinuated as much not two weeks ago. Only question is, when and for how much?
New Xbox 360 250GB Limited Edition Halo: Reach bundle revealed
The Halo series is no stranger to special edition Xbox 360 hardware, so it should come as no surprise that the latest entry, Halo: Reach, is also privy to such treatment. What makes it special, however, is that it's the first special edition based on the new model -- 250GB HDD, built-in 802.11n WiFi, a silver (presumably matte, based on the picture) finish, and custom, Halo-inspired sounds. The $399 price tag also nets you two special edition wireless controllers and, naturally, a copy of the game itself. Look for this September 14th, and really, if you're not into glossy black (and we feel ya, brother), this might be in your best interest to pick up. %Gallery-98042%
New Xbox 360 and upcoming add-on HDD to include data cable?
It looks like Microsoft might have a heart and will possibly be including a data-retention cable with the new and improved, back-in-black Xbox 360 model. Ars Technica has a line on a secret source who lets it slip that Microsoft had sent a new SKU for the upgraded unit, which specifies that this cable will be included. Additionally, the same source says that the cable will be included with the standalone 120GB HDD as well, which hasn't officially been announced yet. Will the cable and the HDD be available in both black and white? We don't want to mess up our precious gaming color scheme. We might see a rise of third-party HDD stickers and skins that'll let you dress that Xbox up in your love.This will be a huge incentive towards getting existing Xbox owners to either upgrade their unit to the "Elite" model, or to buy the new drive, because no one wants to lose all their picture packs, arcade games, and episodes of Battlestar Galactica. We're just happy to know what we probably won't have to download that Eragon demo again. However, this sounds like one of those "use it once and you're done" items that'll soon be collecting dust in the back of a drawer somewhere, so look for 'em on eBay not long afterwards.
