Microsoft is one of the first companies to release a gaming console that had such big success. From their first launch of the Xbox, the consoles from Microsoft completely changed the gaming experience. The company brought more interactive games, a better game quality and better performance of the console. With its every model, Microsoft tried to improve the old version and brought considerable upgrades, taking into account the feedback from their users. After the Xbox 360 and Kinect, gamers and tech enthusiasts together with the IT media is waiting for Microsoft to release a new model: the Xbox 720. This comes after some officials from Microsoft expressed the company’s intention to launch such a product.
In this entire hunt for rumors appeared some contradictions. Although some say that Microsoft is planning on releasing the Xbox 720 soon, others say that the IT giant would not have any reason. So far, the Xbox 360 is running perfectly and there haven’t been complaints from the users. The console is still up to date, the latest games run more than good on it and its performance is comparable to the one from its main competitors. Moreover, Microsoft has just launched Kinect, which is an innovative accessory that uses a technology similar to the one used by Nintendo or Sony, but without the need of any kind of controller. The Kinect was a real hit and brought on the market new types of games for players that haven’t got bored of it yet. So why release a new product now?
Microsoft never stated a clear date for the possible launch of the Xbox 720, but there have been made certain predictions by people from the industry. The soonest possible date would be the beginning of the year 2012. Like this they would have time to test the beta version and release an official console by the middle of 2012. But these are pure speculations. Others believe that Microsoft is waiting for its competitors to launch their new products and attack them then with an improved device.
Rumors regarding the new features of the Xbox 720 are based on gamers’ wishes and on the changes in the technology from the last year. It is believed that the new Xbox will have 3D technology and the games will have a better graphic quality in order to make the gaming experience almost real. With the increasing popularity of HD TVs and Smart TVs, Microsoft will most probably develop some applications for its Xbox 720.
Ever since Microsoft launched its first console, gamers, kids and not only them immediately fell in love with it and started buying all sorts of games, organized game nights and waited breathlessly for even the smallest upgrade. Although competitors like Sony or Nintendo launched their own consoles, which were similar but not identical, Microsoft managed to stay on top with its Xbox consoles. The Xbox 360, launched in 2055, was a big hit and continues to be one of the most popular consoles on the market, having received different upgrades. People are still buying it and have found no complaints to file against it. But like every other electronic device, its time passes and the users want something new, especially in the context of ever evolving technology.
The latest product release from Microsoft was the Kinect, launched in 2010. Although it’s not a new console per say, but only an accessory to the Xbox 360, the officials from Microsoft say that they see it as a new product and thus have postponed the launch of the Xbox 720. Kinect brought a new technology in the gaming segment. Its system is similar to the one on the Nintendo Wii because it has sensors that detect body movement, but they are a lot better. The sensors from Kinect are more sensitive and you don’t need any controller because it reads very accurately the movements of your body. This means more freedom during the play and a whole new type of games. You can play sports, do aerobics in the morning or play your favorite action games at a different level.
There are a couple of reasons given by Microsoft’s officials to sustain their decision of postponing the launch of a new console, the Xbox 720. Firstly, and probably the most important reason would be the fact that the presently Xbox 360 can handle more than well the hardware requirements of the games. That’s why Microsoft would rather invest capital in upgrading the current console than launching a new one. They want to leave the Xbox 720 for a future when it would be needed for real. A second reason would be that they have just launched Kinect a year ago and they consider it a new product because it completely changed the gaming experience of the users and opened new opportunities for this segment.
Officially, Microsoft is denying that they are planning on releasing a new console any time soon. Despite these affirmations, there have been rumors stating that the company has employed new programmers to work on a new soft for the Xbox 720. This information being only a rumor we couldn’t predict precisely when could be the release date. Some people say that it might be during 2012, but other voices shout 2014. Also, no one knows exactly what would be the new features and the new specifications of the product. With the growing trend of 3D TVs and Smart TVs with which you can download a wide range of applications, consumers have developed other expectations. Users hope to see in a near future a console and games that can handle 3D technology for a more realistic game experience. There are tech enthusiasts that believe that Microsoft has the console already prepared and is testing it in order to make sure it works perfectly. They also might have it ready, but they are waiting for the optimal time to launch it. Until Xbox 720 come out on the market, we still have the Xbox 360 and Kinect to play with.