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Microsoft Will Sell the XBOX One Without Kinect

May 16, 2014 By James Faulkner Leave a Comment

Microsoft made a very interesting announcement on Tuesday: they will sell the game console XBOX One without the Kinect camera starting next month. The official news can be found on the XBOX Wire page. The most important aspect regarding the fact that Microsoft will sell the XBOX One without Kinect is that the overall price of the console will get a $100 cut-down.

In other words, starting June 9, all players interested in the XBOX One game console will be able to purchase it for only $399. Some experts consider this strategy a very important one from Microsoft’s part, as the company is bent to compete with Sony’s Play Station 4 and deliver a more affordable product in order to boost sales.

While Microsoft officials motivate their decision with “having the players’ greater good in mind” and “delivering more choices to fans”, other reviewers refer to the strategy in less flattering terms. Chris Kohler from Wired writes that Microsoft had no other choice but eliminate the Kinect from the XBOX One, adding that

[quote]This would seem to confirm the widely held assumption that the reason that Microsoft’s console cost $500, compared to PlayStation 4 at $400, was the inclusion of Kinect, which can read the movement of players’ bodies, identify them by their faces and accept voice commands. At $100 cheaper, PlayStation 4 is outselling Xbox One significantly: The most recent numbers indicate that Sony has sold 7 million PS4s while Microsoft has shipped 5 million Xbox One consoles to retailers but won’t say how many of those were actually purchased. Today’s move is another in a series of massive climbdowns for Microsoft. It was also its only conceivable play.[/quote]

In all fairness, the fact that Microsoft will sell the XBOX One without Kinect seems to bother only the tech developers and probably Sony too. Gamers didn’t embrace the Kinect peripheral with much enthusiasm in the first place, saying that all they needed and wanted was to play.

However, if you are an XBOX One fan and want the Kinect too, you will still be able to buy the flagship product for the initial $499, as Microsoft intends to deliver both options to the faithful followers. Moreover, now that Microsoft will sell the XBOX One without Kinect, financial analysts within the company hope to shoot three rabbits with one bullet: boost sales for the XBOX One (by delivering a powerful challenger for the PS 4), enlarge the pool of loyal customers (by offering them more buying choices) and sell the Kinect camera by itself later on this year. It is a bold move that might change the game in the consoles’ market share and it seems Microsoft won’t stop at nothing to gain leverage over its competitors.

PlayStation 4 Release Date Update – Sony Makes it Possible to Play PS3 Games on PS4

September 20, 2013 By Troy Rubenson

Gamers are quite jubilant about the fact that in November two new gaming consoles are going to arrive. Xbox One and PlayStation 4 release date are going to pit against each other. Both gaming consoles appear very promising. When Sony announced the features of PlayStation 4, the Japanese tech giant made it very clear that the new PS4 will not support PS3 games.

PlayStation 4 does not come with backwards compatibility with older PS3 games. However, this does not mean that PS4 will never be able to enjoy PS3 games. There is a way through which one can enjoy PS3 games on PS4. In the next year, Sony will be allowing users to stream older PS3 games.

During the Tokyo Games Show that was held yesterday, Shuhei Yoshida revealed that PS4 users will be able to play PS3 games through Gaikai streaming service. Sony had acquired the streaming service for 380USD million in 2012. When the service will be introduced in the next year, it will only allow certain games to be streamed. However, Sony plans to enlarge its streaming library in due course of time by adding new games that were designed for PS3 gaming console.

The streaming service will not only make the games available on PS4 gaming console but also on other recently released devices like PS Vita and Vita TV set-top box. Both Xbox One and PS4 do not allow users to play games that are older. However, through Gaikai service, PS4 users will be play PS3 games.

The Vita TV set-top box will allow users to watch TV channels, access PlayStation Store and play PS3 games and that too at a reasonable price. Although it is unsure when will the device arrive in US but it is certain that the Asian markets are going to get the device on Nov 14 for 95USD or so. According to the rumors, Gaikai service will arrive in North America in 2014

At first Xbox One appeared to be a better gaming console but now it seems that PlayStation 4 will have upper edge in the market. PS4 is arriving a week earlier than Xbox One and also it is priced 100USD less than Xbox One. And now Vita TV along with Gaikai subscription would seriously impact the business of Xbox One.

PlayStation 4 will also allow users to record games through HDMI. On PS3, users had make use of analogue cables in order to record in-game content as the manufacturers imposed copyright protection for recording game content over HDMI. At the Tokyo Games Show, the Japanese gaming console maker announced that the PS4 will be able to capture games over HDMI. As of now, Sony has not revealed much info on it but in the near feature they will be rolling out more details.

PlayStation 4 release date will arrive in Asian markets like Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan in December 2013. In Europe, it will arrive on November 29^th whereas in US, the scheduled PlayStation 4 release date is November 15.

PlayStation 4 Release Date – PS 4 Will be Priced Same As Xbox One

September 2, 2013 By Troy Rubenson 5 Comments

The Xbox One vs PS4 battle is heating up more and more. The PlayStation 4 is going to arrive on November 15 in United States and for Europe, New Zealand and Australia, the release date of PS4 has been set to November 29^th. The news about the confirmed PlayStation 4 release date was announced during the Sony’s Gamescom 2013 press conference.

If you are interested in buying the PlayStation 4, you can apply for a pre-order. Recent records shows that the next gen PlayStation has managed to build up over 1 million pre-orders across the globe. The gaming console will be launched in 32 countries. Also, the launch of PS4 will also mark off the launch of 33 new games. Also recent leaks reveal that some of the much anticipated PSN titles will also be officially announced and added to the list of PS4 games when the gaming console is released.

PS4 Price

What’s interesting about the PlayStation 4 is that Sony has decided to price it at $499. The price is going to be same as that of Xbox One. When you pay $499, here is what you will get in the bundle: a 500GB hard drive, a game called Killzone: Shadow Fall, the PS4 camera, and two DualShock 4 gaming controllers. When you look at the rival gaming console from Microsoft, buyers will only get the Fifa 14 game along with the Xbox One gaming console.

Some of the PS4 games that will be launched alongside the gaming console include, Destiny, Knack, Drive Club, Minecraft, War Thunder, The Order: 1886, Kingdom Hearts 3, Halo and many more. The titles that you purchase for the PS4 can be traded at retail outlets or you can even sell it someone or give to a friend. On the other side, Microsoft did not want offer such perks with Xbox One but owing to the criticism from the gaming community, Microsoft is also offering the same kind of perks with Xbox One.

The PlayStation 4 was first showcased during the E3 event. At that time, only a black colored PS4 was revealed. We are not sure whether the Japanese tech giant has any plans to release the device in different colors. The PS4 is slimmer than the Xbox One.

At first, Sony had no plans to include the PS4 camera in the bundle to make the gaming console available at low price. The Xbox One will be shipped with Kinect 2.0. According to tech experts who have already analyzed the camera device of both the gaming consoles have concluded that Sony is offering a low standard camera whereas the Kinect 2.0’s camera is more likely to be used by Xbox One users.

It was in the news recently that Microsoft is rolling out Xbox One voice commands only for five countries out of thirteen countries where the Xbox One will be launched. However, Microsoft officially announced that will be offering voice commands for ten out of thirteen countries. Sony is going to offer some free services with the PS4 such as free games like Planetside 2, free access to online apps like Netflix and free features like party chat.

Sony Playstation 3 Price $199 on Sale, The PS4 Release Date Effect

August 20, 2013 By Jack M. Robinson Leave a Comment

Sony today has begun with the selling of its lowest-priced PlayStation 3 in the U.S. The gaming console was just priced tagged $199 ahead of the PS4 release date scheduled in November. The PS3 on sale with a 12 GB flash storage. It is made available on the e-commerce site of Sony U.S. Last week this version of PS3 was debuted in North America and went on sale in Canada for the same price tag.

The low-cost PS3 console features 2.5-inch flash drive, a Blu-ray player, a wireless controller and support for the 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi. Apart from being sold online by Sony, the console is also being listed by other retailers such as Walmart, Best Buy and Future Shop.

Sony’s website presently reads the product is temporarily out of stock, but Best Buy now tries to lure customers with a bundle of Uncharted 3 and The Last of Us for $259.98, which it says to be a deal of $40 savings.

The new PS3 beats last year’s super-slim PS3 in terms of price. The super-slim PS3 is priced tagged $269 and is equipped with 250GB of hard drive. It was unveiled in September 2012.

PCMag.com writes, “If 12GB of memory isn’t enough, the new model supports external storage via USB ports. Or you can pick up the Legacy Bundle for an extra $100, snagging the 500GB Super Slim PS3, as well as Gran Turismo 5 XL and Infamous 2.”

The flash-based PS3 as well as Super Slim PS3 were unveiled last year at a press conference of Sony’s Tokyo Game Show. Later in October the first console was launched in Japan and PAL territories.

PS4 release date is nearing. This year in June Sony revealed some details about its upcoming PlayStation 4 and said will be retailed at $399. Remember, the PS4 is cheaper than Microsoft’s Xbox One, which is priced tagged $499 and will be shipped in November this year.

PS 4 Release Date Rumored to Leak Ahead of the Xbox One

June 29, 2013 By Deborah Cobing 9 Comments

The competition between Sony and Microsoft with their PS 4 and Xbox One consoles respectively is yet a hot happening. An early launch of the PlayStation 4 could well be expected as a fall out of this competition to get customers latched on to their device before the other does the same.

A retail partner of Sony covering the European region, NeoGaf have let out the probable early release strategy from Sony by posting a poster of the PlayStation 4 which had the early release date mentioned on it. Sony had forbidden the display of this poster by all its retailers.

As per the poster, release date of the PlayStation 4 has been mentioned as 13 November. The Xbox is to be released on the 27^th of November. That gives Sony, if the release date is to be believed, a full two weeks of head start before the Xbox.

The game is not yet over as neither Sony, nor Microsoft has come up with any official release date announcements as yet. Microsoft has the precedence of effecting last minute change like it did with the policy on usage of used games as well as the need for continuous internet connection on their consoles. Likewise, an earlier than the expected November 27 release date cannot be ruled out either.

The retailer who gave out the food for this fight has also not confirmed anything. What can however be concluded safely is that in the US, the PS4 would have either an early or a late release.

Ardent gamers would sure be keeping their eyes and ear open and up to get more information for they are the first burst of customers who make a difference in the sales of the gadgets and gives importance to the launch timing of the device.

PS 4 Release Date: November 13 Seems to be Most Probable for Sony Playstation 4

June 22, 2013 By Deborah Cobing 2 Comments

There is a long queue of inquisitive interested people for the Sony PS 4 who seem to just can’t wait any longer to have one of their own. A retailer in Amsterdam has put up a poster mentioning the date of 13 November as its release date. There is no confirmation from Sony on the release dates so far.

November the 13th has also been indicated by Media Mart as the date of release of the PS 4. Media Market has a presence in over 700 countries worldwide. They would sure have some tips from Sony to declare such a date. Another source of the probable release date comes from budgetgaming.nl forum maintained by Henri Alexander, who also states the date of 13 November as the D-date. His speculation is based on promotional material received from Sony.

The retailer in Netherlands appears to be the main source for this date of 13 November taking a definitive shape. The retailer, BoI has however mentioned that this date they have mentioned is not for sure and would be updated with time.

If we take precedence to speculate date of release of the PS4 we see that Sony had launched the PlayStation 3 in 2006 with plans of a lunch on the US to be followed by a European launch thereafter. The European launch had rolled over to spring of 2007 in that case. In case of the PS4 therefore, there could be a US release before 13 November this time.

Given the console market has the Xbox One from Microsoft coming in November, Sony would have to match that date or get their device before to remain in the competition. November is also the beginning of US holiday season when consoles are in demand.

There would be many a PS 4 Black Friday deals if the device comes into the market in the holiday season. Retailers do put up such promotional deals to get customers to their stores. The season experiences a huge buying spree in the US.

Another aspect which acts in Sony’s favor if they can keep the date of November 13 for their release is that the PS4 is cheaper than the Xbox One. A customer would get the PS4 with an additional controller for the cost equivalent to that of buying the Xbox One console.

Pre-order bookings have been opened by GameStop and Amazon in the US and they have mentioned date of release as holiday season of 2013. Amazon mentions December 21 as the release date, and this seems to be just to play safe.

Sony PlayStation 4 Release Date Rumors, Could be November 13

June 22, 2013 By Deborah Cobing Leave a Comment

The PlayStation 4 is the next gaming console that Sony has lined up for a launch sometime in the near future. However, no one knows for sure how sooner or later the thing will be seen lending grace to store shelves around the world. Of course such a scenario makes the most conducive environment for the rumor mongers to flourish. No wonder we have come across dates such as November 26th which many believed will turn out to the console’s launch day. A different section believed it will be the November 21^st when the PS 4 will eventually be launched.

However, a retailer based in Europe seems to have other ideas up its sleeve. The retailer, Media Markt is claiming the PS 4 will be launched on November 13^th. It has also put up posters to this effect though Sony is yet to make any official statement on this. Whether the date was announced inadvertently or intentionally is also anybody’s guess right now. However, what is evident is that the device wil be with the consumers well ahead of the Christmas. Sony has earlier promised to make available the device before the year end festival season is upon us. Meanwhile, Amazon has stated it is already sold out on the initial batch of the PS 4 pre-order units. What this means is that those who have placed their orders with Amazon will get their PS 4 units delivered on the day it is officially released in the market.

Let’s hope Sony make an official statement on this to settle matters once and for all.

Xbox to be Revealed on Tuesday and Sony Squeezes Out PlayStation 4 Teaser

May 21, 2013 By Troy Rubenson Leave a Comment

The new Xbox is going to be revealed on Tuesday. Sony PlayStation fans are waiting for new announcements on PlayStation 4. Finally, Sony releases a teaser right before the next gen Xbox is unveiled. The teaser is a real teaser as the video only lets you see an out-of-focus black colored box.

The video released by Sony is a 39 seconds clip which shows you an out-of-focus PS4 gaming console. The console appears to be square. The camera gets closer and closer to the console and while it happens, you get to see several glimpses of various vents present on the next gen PS4. When the video reaches 25 seconds mark, the zooming in stops and you get to see the PS4 logo.

The close-up glimpses of the gaming consoles revealed by Sony only makes you think more on the PS4’s design. After the 25 second mark on the video, Sony lets you know the date and time of the E3 press event. On 10^th June 2013, Sony will reveal the PlayStation 4 at 6pm.

Sony PlayStations were longing to see new information on the next gen PS4. The video which has been released by Sony is the first ever sight on the PS4. Experts feel that even though the device will be announced on 10^th June, PS4 will be available for purchase during the holiday season. There has not been any official announcement on the price of PS4. The release date and the price of the PS4 will be announced at the E3 event.

Sony had spoken about the PS4 for the first time in the month of February by which people came to know what PS4 could offer. It was a two hour event but Sony did not reveal anything else about the device. At the event, presenters were playing games using the PS4 gaming console. However, the device was kept in the backstage and nobody could see the device.

The next gen Sony will not be supporting any of the games that were created for all the previous PlayStation devices. For playing older games, users will have to stream them through the internet to PlayStation 4. The PS4 will support social networking.

Quite a few games have been announced by Sony for the PlayStation 4 but more information on the new games that will support PS4 will be announced at the E3 event. It is also going to reveal mobile companion apps at the event. When PS4 will be released, it will start competing with the next gen Xbox that is going to be released tomorrow.

Microsoft Xbox 720 to Come With a PC Like Architecture to Compete with Sony Playstation 4

May 19, 2013 By Georgia Dawson Leave a Comment

Both Sony and Microsoft are busy putting the finishing touches to their respective next gen gaming consoles, the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox 720 respectively. Both are slated for a market debut towards the end of the year.

Sony though can be considered to be a step ahead of Microsoft on this as it has already launched – even if has been a partial one – the PlayStation 4 a few months back. We at least know something of what Sony’s next offering in the gaming console segment will be like though the scenario is just the opposite with the Microsoft Xbox 720 that is also being referred to as the Durango or the Infinity.

However, in such a situation, its rumors that we are left to depend on and the strongest on this is pointing towards an Xbox that will come with a PC like architecture. The idea of the Xbox to have an architecture that is quite similar to a gaming PC is quite probable considering the device nonetheless will be based on a version of Windows 8.

The above gains more solid foting on the back of Microsoft having put up ads specifying requirements of an individual having ‘experience with both X86 and ARM ISAs’. In another ad, Microsoft has stressed the requirement for someone who has a ‘deep understanding of modern PC architecture’.

This does add some degree of credibility to the ongoing rumors of Microsoft’s next Xbox to come with a PC like architecture.

PS4 Price

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