For 2007, IDG predicts Microsoft dominance for the next two years in the North American next-gen game hardware market, at least in terms of installed base. The forecast predicts 10.6 million consoles in homes for Xbox 360, 6.8 million for PlayStation 3, and a modest 3.5 million for Wii in 2007. In 2008, Anderson suggests 15.5 million units in homes for the 360, 13.5 million for PS3, and 6.8 million for Wii. He does mention that his group expects the PS3 to win out in the installed based race in the end, perhaps in 2009.
IDG also analyzed multiple console ownership, and found that there was a decent amount of crossover, with many homes owning more than one console. With the next generation, Anderson predicts more single console ownership, with most households choosing either the 360 or the PS3, and with most crossover happening when those households also chose to pick up a Wii.
He then went on to outline data on marketshare, bringing an end to the intriguing presentation. For present-gen consoles, the Xbox is at 25%, the PlayStation 2 at 56%, and the Gamecube at a 19% marketshare, according to IDG.
Last night a Inside Source that Works on (360) told me directly that he had just received the update for testing and that he couldn't give me a release date but that he could tell me that it would not be out today (Thursday June, 01 2006).
I guess we will have to wait till next week since Major Nelson has Stated there wouldn't be update on Friday's.
We still don't know the US price or launch date, but we've got a bit more specifics on how the Xbox 360 HD DVD player add-on will work when it hits store shelves later this year thanks to a post by Microsoft insider Amir M. on AVS Forum. When Microsoft revealed yesterday it will support 1080p HD DVD and 1080p DVD upconversion we were surprised because it's commonly accepted that the CSS (DVD) and AACS (HD DVD & Blu-ray) copyright provisions wouldn't allow that (although some manufacturers have looked the other way before) via unprotected analog connections.
We were right, sort of. Even after the software upgrade this fall, via component cables, the Xbox 360 will still only upconvert DVDs to 480p, and will play HD DVD movies at a maximum resolution of 1080i. To get 1080p output for movies, you must use a VGA cable, which is not subject to the same copyright restrictions. This just means the Xbox 360 is just like every other HD DVD and Blu-ray player on the market, but you wouldn't know that by reading Microsoft's press releases yesterday.
If you ran out and bought a 1080p HDTV yesterday don't return it just yet, you should be able to get equal picture quality to 1080p if your TV processes the incoming signal correctly, and if it supports 1080p via component you can still play upconverted and native-1080p games . We're still waiting to hear exactly how HD DVD's advanced audio capabilities will be handled by the 360 and oh yeah...a US price, please Microsoft?.
Microsoft just announced that Xbox All Access will begin rolling out starting with Australia on October 29, followed by the U.K. on November 5 and finally in the U.S. on November 18, with an all-new upgrade option for the next Xbox console, Project Scarlett. Purchase An Xbox One With Xbox All Access For No Upfront Cost with this Special Upgrade Offer Available For A Limited Time
With Xbox All Access, you get an all-inclusive Xbox experience with everything you need to start playing right out of the box for as little as $19.99 per month for 24 months (US pricing). The program is a great choice for players who want flexibility in their purchasing options and are looking for the best value in gaming. When joining Xbox All Access, you get:
With Xbox All Access, you get an all-inclusive Xbox experience with everything you need to start playing right out of the box for as little as $19.99 per month for 24 months (US pricing). The program is a great choice for players who want flexibility in their purchasing options and are looking for the best value in gaming. When joining Xbox All Access, you get:
Xbox Pass Ultimate includes all the benefits of Xbox Live Gold, including online multiplayer, and access to over 100 great games on console and PC.
Option to upgrade to Project Scarlett once its available in Holiday 2020
While Xbox All Access isn’t eligible to be stacked with any other discounts or limited time promotions, the price you pay per month is dependent upon which console you choose and saves players over $100 dollars compared to purchasing everything separately.
Looks like Bill Gate not only has a lot more money than you or I could ever have, but he has friends who have modded Xbox 360, not just a firmware hack, but full on with Avaluanch, XBMC RSS feed, and some "back up" games. So it goes to show, the 360 isn’t un-hackable.
He said that his colleague actually brought his system to a meeting with Bill and other Microsoft Head staff, and All of these things impressed Gates, and rather than asking- how should we put an end to this, he asked "How can we engage this community?".
Do you think he and Microsoft, which has had numerous battles with the Mod community, are finally beginning to accept?
It’s about time Bill, about time.
Lets not forget, that Gates is a Hardcore geek like us, who even commits piracy.
Hot on the heels of the confirmation of downloadable movies and TV shows on Marketplace comes this picture from a recent Microsoft press event. If you look closely, you'll notice that the hard drive has an entire 70 gigs free. In other words, that larger hard drive rumor has surfaced yet again. Given all the recent announcements, it's fairly safe to assume a larger hard drive is coming. It's just a matter of when. We're betting that you won't see these larger hard drives before Christmas. Microsoft might announce them -- especially in the wake of the Video Marketplace -- but we doubt they'll release them. Why not? Because Microsoft wants to sell as many 360 HD DVD players as possible, and a larger HDD plus Video Marketplace is in direct competition with that.
Please Note:
It's more likely that MS will release a larger HD some day, however the above picture is probably just another Xbox360 devkit HD like with all the previous 'larger HD' rumors.