Speaking at the Evolve conference, Pachter said that he thinks Microsoft have got their console strategy right, and predicts that the next Xbox is “going to be your television as well”, suggesting a built in tuner.
“You won’t need a ‘smart TV’ when you’ve got an Xbox 720, it will be your television and your internet,” he said.
“It’s going to be open architecture and I think its real trick will be that one Xbox will be able to display television to as many screens as you have in your possession.”
He also claims that the next Xbox will run Windows “for sure”, and you’ll be able to use SmartGlass to “shoot off” different channels all over the house. “That is happening, that I’m certain of,” he confirms, boldly, and apparently with some authority.
But that pricing claim?
“I’m pretty confident that in the US Microsoft is going to partner with a cable TV provider, so I expect that the console will be priced like a smart phone. I expect you’ll be paying $99 for the console with a cable TV subscription,” Patcher added.
Agree, disagree? Let us know in the comments.
Kev
This gen of consoles are more akin to media devices already (it only does everything!) and I think next gen will just take this integration a step further. There will come a time when a touch-screen Sony TV with all this built-in as the user interface will be mass market – switch on and decide if you want to watch TV, browse the internet, play games, etc, etc. (If the screen is large enough, you might even do some of these simultaneously?)
But does anyone else think touch-screen is shite? I’m forever cleaning off greasy finger marks. Unless they come up with a smudge-free glass…
blast71
I don’t use my fingers fnar fnar ;)
Forrest_01
Surely that would make it dirtier? Certainly after a few back & forth motions at least.
KeRaSh
What about the rest of the world? Europe certainly has a different selection of pay TV channels than they have in the US. I can’t imaging Microsoft teaming up with every major Pay TV provider across the world…
Bilbo_bobbins
Honestly, this bloke is just a penis.
baggyg
Saying its $99 its a false statement. Its like saying a current XBox is free just because I can get one with my phone contract. Never been a fan of Pachter. He has a penchant for sensationalism but mostly is just plain wrong
Nickboss1
Streamed to your tv without a console or i’m i wrong?
FRUITofDOOM
I want Xbox 8, I want it to sync with Win Phone 8, Surface and Windows 8, I want a smooth and consistent experience across all Win 8 devices and Apps! I don’t want to subscribe to a TV provider and you better give me the option to buy the console outright or i’ll be throwing you in the “I’m not buying PS4 if Sony insist on game streaming” bin! I’d rather play chess :-p
Nickboss1
You dont want much :)
FRUITofDOOM
Santa better deliver!
wirralsman
Is it just me or has patcher just described, to an extent, a pc running windows?
Crocadillian
Analyst, please just shut up -_-.
OnlineAssassin77
mmm! that is all…