• Xbox One Reveal UI Demo Faked?

    // Gradly // blog, Consoles, Funny, Humor, Microsoft, My Take, Rants & Raves, Scandal, Xbox One No Responses

    Xbox One Reveal UI Demo Faked?

    Xbox One Reveal UI Demo Faked?

    The video below is an exclusive Wired video that shows Xbox One TV integration. As noted by a NeoGAF user, Microsoft seems to have faked the Xbox One Live demo reveal and judging by the video the actual UI is choppy, slow, and not smooth the way it looked like during the reveal:

    User jaypah said, “Yeah, we found out shortly after the show. Apparently that wasn’t the actual episode of Price is Right that was live at the time. Plus there were videos of an actual demonstration and while it worked OK (choppy video on initial channel pull-up), it wasn’t as smooth as the stage presentation.”

    User Kyoufu said, “Yeah there’s a video interview where they actually show the real UI with the snap feature runs at like 5 frames per second. They faked all of it on stage.”

    For me, I have noticed two things that caught my eye which should prove the demo was actually staged:

    1- Yusuf Mehdi, who gave the demo, had to put his left hand into his pocket whenever he talked to Kinect and issued a command:

    Xbox One Reveal Demo UI Faked?

    Xbox One Reveal Demo UI Faked?

    2- I know that Bing changes the background in a daily basis (correct me if I’m wrong), so how come, Bing showed the same image during the demo which was shown again on the prepared footage, which must be done since weeks or even months ago, while showing the Xbox features and specs?:

    Xbox One Reveal Demo UI Faked?

    Xbox One Reveal Demo UI Faked?

    Microsoft is already in hot water following a disastrous Xbox One announcements with vague features and lack of clear responses especially for DRM and used games issues.

    However, the company should be prepared for another backlash if the presentation turns to be totally staged.

    To watch the full Xbox reveal, watch the video below:

  • Xbox One Revealed: All-in-one Home Entertainment System

    // Gradly // blog, Consoles, Games, Microsoft, PS4, Tech., Xbox One No Responses

    Xbox One Revealed: All-in-one Home Entertainment System

    Xbox One Revealed: All-in-one Home Entertainment System

    At a special event today at the company Redmond campus, Microsoft has officially announced its new console, Xbox One. The new console is said to be the “the ultimate, all in one home entertainment system“. Launching around the world later this year.

    Bundled with a new Kinect sensor, based on the latest technology, the system will allow for more physical gestures such as grab, pan and swipe up, along with new voice commands. The system can switch between games, movies, music and other things instantly.

    The new system will also let you find TV shows using motion controls, voice, or by visiting what’s popular section on the Xbox community.

    Xbox One will sport 8GB of RAM, 500 GB HDD, and be based on 64bit architecture, it will play Blu-Ray discs, transfer via USB 3.0, and allow for Bluetooth and direct WiFi.

    Microsoft has also confirmed that all Xbox One games will require mandatory installation onto the system’s hard drive and, to install the same disc onto another user’s drive, a fee must be paid; i.e. games will be tied to a single user account. Another tidbit concerning the always-online speculation, according to Kotaku, the device is said to only require a connection every 24 hours. Hard drives in the Xbox One will not be replaceable and the USB 3.0 port is there for external storage so you can put anything on there you would on the internal drive, including games. All that TV stuff Microsoft were proud to show off in its conference? You actually need to buy a separate device in order for that to work, that’s it, it will not be supported out of the box; Xbox One Live TV will require a separate supported receiver device with HDMI output to function.

    Here are a rundown of major things showed during the reveal:

    • Next Xbox called ‘Xbox One’
    • Internet connection not required
    • “Instant Switching”: Switch instantly between games, movies, music, TV etc
    • “Snap Mode”: Run multiple programs alongside one another, no need to shut any down
    • Skype: Integrated into the console (group video calls on TV)
    • Xbox One Guide: Find and watch whatever TV you like via search, voice, or trending
    • 3 Operating Systems in one
    • 8GB RAM; Blu-ray drive, Cloud functionality
    • Get back into save game instantly via Kinect recognition
    • New Xbox LIVE: Over 300,000 servers for Xbox One
    • Content stored in cloud
    • Much better matchmaking capabilities
    • EA Sports’ new engine “IGNITE”
    • NBA Live 14, FIFA 14, UFC and Madden 25 announced for Xbox One
    • Forza Motorsport 5 announced (launch title)
    • Quantum Break (Remedy) announced
    • 15 exclusives (8 original IP) to be launch within first year
    • Live Action Halo series announced for Xbox One (Spielberg)
    • Partnership between MS/NFL on Xbox One
    • Xbox One launching this holiday
    • COD: Ghosts (next gen/current gen comparison) demoed

  • Call of Duty: Ghosts Reveal Teaser Trailer

    // Gradly // blog, Consoles, Games, Microsoft, Trailer, Xbox One No Responses

    Call of Duty: Ghosts Teaser Trailer

    Call of Duty: Ghosts Teaser Trailer

    After numerous leaks, Activision has officially released the first Call of Duty: Ghosts reveal trailer. The game will be revealed at the new generation Xbox announcement May 21st.

    There are those who wear masks to protect themselves. And there are those who wear masks to protect us all. See the world premiere of Call of Duty: Ghosts May 21st.

    In development by Infinity Ward studio, Ghosts is said to deliver an all-new story, all-new characters, an all-new Call of Duty world, all powered by a next generation Call of Duty engine. Watch the reveal teaser below:

    Call of Duty: Ghosts set to release on November 5 on Xbox 360, PS3, PC and next-gen platforms.

  • Sony Teases PS4 Reveal on February 20th

    // Gradly // blog, Consoles, Gadgets, Games, PS4, Rumors, Sony, Tech., Xbox One 1 Response

    Sony Teases PS4 Reveal on February 20th

    Sony Teases PS4 Reveal on February 20th

    Sony PlayStation is holding an event set for February 20th at 6pm EST under the tagline “See the future“. We believe the invites were sent to the media for the upcoming Sony next-gen console, PlayStation 4 reveal.

    Earlier this month, we reported that the announcement of PS4 is expected prior to E3 with an official launch later this year. Rumors suggested that the heart of PS4 will be made by AMD. More on PS4 (codenamed Orbis) specs leaked can be found here.

    Citing“people familiar with the matter,” the Wall Street Journal confirms that the event is indeed for PS4 reveal and the new PlayStation console will incorporate more social features, this comes in line with what rumored before that the new controller (upgraded DualShock?) will have a dedicated “Share” button.

    The WSJ also claims that Microsoft’s new console will be released before the end of 2013, with announcement made before E3. More on Xbox 720 (codenamed Durango) specs can be found here.