Due to be released before the end of the year, Microsoft has unveiled its latest and as they say, greatest, console, the Xbox One
The current Xbox 360 is a slim and stylish unit, yet the Xbox One, here to bully all competition, is bigger and not as pretty. This is to cram in all the new tricks…
The new console boasts an 8 Core CPU, 8GB of RAM (up from 512MB), a Blu-Ray drive, a 500GB internal hard-drive and three overlapping operating systems. It’s certainly is No. 1 in the Microsoft gaming family. But why so much power?
Microsoft has explained how they want this to be the all-in-one (hence the name) system connected to your TV set. The Xbox One will be able to show live TV as well as video-on-demand like Netflix. Has the remote gone walkabout? Not to worry, as voice recognition will change the channel for you; the Kinect camera is also as impressive (more on that later). One aspect that we really like is the Snap Mode. This allows multi-screen programmes to run at the same time. Make a Skype call, surf the Internet and still be playing your Call of Duty…
So, let’s take a look at the games. Is this still what the Xbox is primarily used for? Or has the console ventured away from solely entertaining the gamer? Firstly, Xbox 360 games won’t work on the new console. However there will be plenty of new releases to make up for it. It will have 15 exclusive games in the first year, eight of which will be new franchises. Xbox has shown footage from FIFA 14, and a particularly impressive glimpse at the new Call Of Duty: Ghosts, for which Xbox One will have first access to downloadable content.
Nothing too much to say about the controller. It’s had an upgrade, with new rumble-feedback triggers and a sleeker ergonomic design; the controller looks better than the console! But what we are really impressed with is the Kinect 2.0, a serious upgrade on the Xbox 360’s camera. Its high-definition, 1080p wide-angle lens means it will recognise more people with much more accuracy. So accurate, in fact, it can recognise your facial expression and even your heartbeat by detecting changes in your skin tone – impressive.
The real question is, how will it shape up against Sony’s PS4? Find out in a future issue.
Our favourites
Polaroid Z340
The retro camera gets a revamp! The new Polaroid Z340, due to be out before Christmas, is a cool little gadget which will instantly print out your snaps. With a variety of filters and editing on the move this is guaranteed fun.
iOS 7
The new mobile operating system is far from flat. Despite moving away from the ‘skeuomorphism’ design, this 2D pastel set up offers some amazing new features. A very smart move from the team at Apple.
Online tech – policybuddy.com
Sometimes those important files at home may still be at risk. Flood? Fire? What happens then? Policybuddy.com has been set up to store all of those important documents in a digital vault.
YouTube
What we’re watching
What a duel! These two guys go head-to-head (well, more of a collaboration) as they put their spin on the Michael Jackson classic, Billie Jean. Seriously impressive!
App of the week
Pocket Fleet (free)
This is a MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) where you can hook up with thousands of online gamers and dogfight to the death in space.
Blog of the week
Vic and Lindsay’s blog is a lovely insight on all things Abu Dhabi. We get to see their point-of-view on their favourite parts of the city, pictures ‘n’ all!
