Microsoft Set-top box rumored to be back: support for the Kinect sense

Tencent Science and Technology (slides) Beijing time May 10 News, according to the Wall Street Journal online version of the report, the source said that Microsoft is developing a streaming media set-top box device, and Apple TV and Roku set-top boxes and other devices to compete directly. While host game fans await the advent of Microsoft's next-generation Xbox gaming machine, the fate of another developing micro-hardware is uncertain. Sources say Microsoft is developing a set-top box device that includes streaming media and other entertainment features, but it is unclear whether the company will release the device. The design of the product has undergone several revisions, and the latest prototype supports Microsoft's Kinect body sensing technology. Kinect was first released in 2010, allowing consumers to interact with devices through voice or gesture. The Microsoft set-top box could compete with Apple TV and Roku set-top boxes. Sources say Microsoft is trying to create the same experience in its range of products, similar to the link between Apple's iphone, IPad, Mac and Apple TV set-top boxes. Microsoft's current mainframe Xbox 360 was listed in 2005 for $299. The host is currently starting at 199 dollars, or signing up for a two-year Xbox Live social gaming network to sell for 99 dollars. A set-top box is usually sold at a lower price than a game host. Apple TV sells 99 dollars and Roku set-top box starts at $49. The Microsoft set-top box represents a cheaper way to land in the Xbox Live community than the Xbox. On the other hand, a 99-dollar Xbox could dampen demand for set-top box devices, the source said. In recent years, game consoles have been used more and more to obtain digital entertainment content. Netflix recently said Sony PS3 consoles were the most popular device to use the company's streaming media services. Sony plans to launch its upgraded mainframe PS4 at the end of this year's holiday shopping season. PS4 will include a remote gaming feature that allows users to transfer content streaming media to the screen. Sony will also launch a "share" button that allows users to play video games and upload them to social networks. While Microsoft's plans for set-top boxes are unclear, the company is working to lay the groundwork for simplifying applications and game development for different devices. Microsoft has been communicating with the application development team recently, advising it to use the coding standards that the company has just issued, according to people familiar with the Microsoft Development Program. The advantage is that it makes it easier for developers to develop a program that runs on the Xbox, Smartphone, or Windows computer at the same time. In the past few years, Microsoft has been increasing its commitment to the Xbox business, strengthening the Xbox's collaboration with other businesses and repackaging entertainment products; Microsoft's streaming music service for Windows PCs is now named Xbox Music. But these may not be enough to lure consumers. Industry insiders said that a new generation of game hosts may be veryDifficult to achieve the same success as the previous generation of Xbox 360, PS3 or Nintendo Wii. In addition to causing sensation among hardcore gamers, the latest generation of game consoles has not been widely recognized by consumers. Microsoft says it will release next-generation Xbox devices on May 21. According to sources, the new generation of Xbox will be on sale during the holiday shopping season and compete directly with PS4. Microsoft released its Xbox 360 in 2005, and Sony PS3 was released a year later.