xbox

Analyst: Xbox One to cost $399, PlayStation 4 priced at $349

When Microsoft's Xbox One goes on sale before the end of year, it should cost $399, $50 more than the Sony's PlayStation 4, likely to debut at the same time, according to estimates by Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter.

The analyst made his estimates in a research note prepared in advance of next week's E3 video game conference. He based those estimates on the cost of materials needed to build the consoles, taking into account speculation about the specifications for each box.

Pachter also took into account the launch prices for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. … Read more

Analyst: Expect sweeping console price cuts at E3

The E3 gaming conference that kicks off later this month might turn out to be a boon for deal-seekers.

In a note to investors Monday, Wedbush analyst and long-time gaming industry evaluator Michael Pachter said that he expects Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft all to announce console price cuts at the show. He believes that Sony and Microsoft will both cut prices on their PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, respectively, by "at least $50." Pachter also believes that the Wii will drop to $99 -- down from the $129.99 the company is currently selling some bundles for.

Perhaps … Read more

3D model gets you up close with the Xbox One

Chances are it'll be quite a few months before most of us have a chance to go hands-on with the Xbox One. Until then, you can at least get a very in-depth look at what to expect, thanks to this rotatable 3D model from Microsoft.

You'll see the full Xbox One kit -- console, Kinect 2.0, and new-look controller -- and you can zoom in and out on any part of it to your heart's content.

It's embedded below, or you can click here for a full-size version. … Read more

Rumor Has It: Who wants to play used games on the Xbox One? Everybody!

What a week it's been, amirite? Microsoft held an hour-long event where it introduced the next-generation Xbox, called the Xbox One, and we're left with as many questions as when we started.

The most important question on everyone's lips, however, is whether the Xbox One will play used games. What do you think? If it doesn't play used games, would that be a deal breaker? Leave a comment below.

We revisit some colorful iPhone rumors, for no other reason than that they just keep popping up. Google might do something awesome across the world, and iOS … Read more

Xbox One controller: Button-mashing goodness designed to last a decade

Microsoft's Xbox One controller will be one hardened piece of hardware.

Speaking to tech news site Pocket-lint in an interview published Wednesday, Microsoft accessories and hardware manager Bob Brown said his company has been testing the Xbox One's controller by pressing its buttons "over and over, between 4-5 times a second." Twenty controllers are being mashed with 2 million button presses each, according to Pocket-lint.

As each button is pressed, a computer analyzes its function to ensure it's sending a signal back to a console. If it doesn't operate correctly anymore, its errors are … Read more

Microsoft said to go after Xbox One domain name squatters

Microsoft appears to be unhappy about a couple of domain name owners that nabbed xboxone.com and xboxone.net before it did.

The software giant is said to have launched a complaint with the National Arbitration Forum to get those domains into its bevy, according to Fusible.

Hot on the heels of Microsoft unveiling its new gaming console, Xbox One, the company reportedly filed the complaint with the NAF. According to Fusible, Microsoft kept the name of its console a secret, presumably to avoid various domain name squatters.

However, both xboxone.com and xboxone.net have been registered since 2011. … Read more

Will Microsoft sell Bing or Xbox?

Influential and long-time Microsoft analyst Rick Sherlund argued in a May 28 research report that it's time for Microsoft to get rid of Bing and/or Xbox.

The title of Sherlund's note -- "Pressure Building to Realize Greater Shareholder Value" -- makes it plain where he's coming from.

"We think there are a number of things that could be done to improve the return of cash to shareholders and improve the profitability and cash flow of the business," Sherlund, an analyst with Nomura Research, said in the note. He added, "We think … Read more

Microsoft refutes reports about Xbox One used game sales

Ever since the Xbox One unveiling Tuesday, gamers have wondered how Microsoft will handle the resale of used games for the system.

In the absence of a clear answer, speculation and rumors have flooded the Web.

Microsoft is now telling gamers that the speculation and rumors aren't true. But it's not saying what the new policy will be.

"The ability to trade in and resell games is important to gamers and to Xbox," Larry Hryb, director of Xbox Programming (better known by his gamer handle Major Nelson), wrote on his blog Friday. "Xbox One is … Read more

Xbox One uncertainty, earnings drag down GameStop

GameStop is having a pretty rough week.

First Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One but didn't provide much clarity into how used games will work with its new console. Then the video game company reported its fiscal first-quarter profit dropped by a quarter as its revenue fell 6.8 percent.

Neither of those factors is pleasing investors, who had sent shares soaring more than 100 percent over the past 12 months through last Friday. GameStop's shares tumbled 11 percent Friday to $32.10, putting the week's drop at 19 percent.

Particularly worrisome is what GameStop's business will … Read more