Also, the multimedia advantage is only the multi-OS/swipe-tabbing multitasking and cable box UI integration.
Which is great.
But you speak as if the XBone is a unique all-in-one solution, when in reality you still need a cable box, and PCs already offer similar integrated solutions via apps, and further current consoles and the PS4 offer many basic multimedia features and work fine for viewing TV and movies.
It just sounded like you made the XBone sound much more revolutionary than it is when it's really just evolutionary from the PS3 and 360 via the new multitasking features.
Sony knows exactly what their target consumer wants and seems to be offering the best console solution by having the most superior technology power and the most open gaming platform for consumer and developers. Developers can independently publish games (MS doesn't allow that), games are not account locked (they are on XBone), and the PS4 has a 50% faster GPU and roughly 50% faster RAM throughput (so the XBone will have noticeably inferior visual graphics for its games).
Microsoft, in contrast, is offering a weaker computer so that they can allow users to group Skype, check (specifically and exclusively) ESPN.com fantasy leagues, and swipe-tab between NFL games and Call of Duty.
Now you tell me, based on the reception thus far, is that what consumers want? Is that really what core gamers want? Inferior graphical performance? And is that really how 20somethings define TV? Pay-cable? Is there really any genuine demand from that functionality, especially from the rapidly declining American-only pay-cable demographic?
If anything, I think Sony is more focused on what its consumers want and Microsoft is more focused on what they think consumers will think is cool. And I question if they really understand how 20-somethings (who will become 30-somethings during the XBone's life) actually prefer to view TV or Skype or websites or apps.
My problem is the marketing (no one seems to understand there's a new console) and the lack third-party games. As shown so far by the poor sales, people aren't paying out for confusing system that just offers Mario and Zelda games -- games which, to casual gamers, are basically the same as the Wii. The Wii versions had huge casual demand because for many of them, it was basically a jump from the SNES or N64 and controller to the Wii and remote.
I don't think that appeal and incredibly unique change can be overstated...
In contrast, a lot of non-gamers may barely care to notice the difference between Wii MarioKart and Wii U MarioKart, for example. And I think we already see that proven.
In this way, MS and Kinect and Oculus are paving the way, and I don't think Nintendo will ever get close to Wii success again until some time has passed since non-gamers last embraced Mario and Nintendo offers them a completely new way to experience Mario.
Much of Wii's success was not only the Wiimote but also the timing -- the contrast to PS/XB, the time consumers had spent away from Mario and the blooming nostalgia. I think for most people, the Wii U is just more of the same, and new great games won't change the fact that it's still just another Wii Mario except now you apparently new a confusing expensive new system.
I didn't think of that and that sounds quite smart actually...
But it seems like pure speculation, no? Do cable providers actually have a desire to get into the console subsidization business? Will MS sell XBones at a further greater loss to encourage this?
Truthfully I think this is a great long-term idea and even if the XBone is a failure, it's a necessary step to get to success. But I'm worried about losses for MS...
COGS are going to be so high for a console with as much silicon as Sony's, and then not only a HDD but also Kinect 2.0. Then they need to potentially subsidize sales through cable providers. Lastly, they need above-average size marketing to educate consumers that the XBone is not simply a gaming console but an entertainment console.
I think the long-term idea is great, but just like any new great innovation (Internet, smartphones, tablets, voice recognition), it typically has a few inefficient, ineffective, and non-user-friendly iterations before it's perfected for the masses.
My concern is that this will all hurt MS short run EPS, MS will again experiment with this innovation but not reap the mass success while handicapping their other ventures (gaming in this case) and then in 1-2 generations once it's perfected (and this INCLUDES consumer demand) then everyone will be offering it.
I'm not convinced the high COGS are worth it, the decline in gaming power is worth it, and that the consumer demand is worth it. Especially the last one: basically we're looking at integrating TV Skyping, web browsing, and ESPN NFL fantasy leaguing into gaming -- considering that so many 20-35 now use Internet to watch TV and use tablets/smartphones to do those things and much more already -- do people really actually want to distract from their gaming and TV even more than we already do?
I feel a part of this is MS felt the idea is cool a la Minority Report but never really stopped to wonder if consumers actually want to use these features after the first month coolness wears off.
I would never complain about these features if they were bonus without any cost... But they're coming with a heavy cost to price, marketing and PR, cogs and profit, and especially gaming.
Will Microsoft's Release Of Xbox One Trigger Another Rally? [View article]
Best point is the important of apps and small mobile games, so it should be further noted that the vast majority of these games are independently published. Sony PS4 Store, Apple iTunes, and Google Play all have independent game publishing -- the Xbox One will not. This is a major problem if they want to fight against the rapid growth of independent/mobile games.
Biggest concern I found was what you said about multi-media.. The PS3 and PS4 both have multimedia solutions for movies, TV, and computer integrated into their interface and OS. Further, the Xbone is not entirely an all-in-one solution is it requires a separate cable box and cable subscription completely independent of the Xbox service, and a further independent interface if your cable box is not HDMI (not uncommon) or no integration if your definition of TV is other than pay-cable (satt, internet, etc).
Just to clarify so your readers don't misunderstand that if they buy a XBox One, they have a single solution to all their gaming, TV, and computer needs, and if they own a Nintendo or Sony product then they have none -- as your article seems to suggest.
and ultimately it "killed" their share price.. how's that 5YTD done for you?
are you a shareholder or a fanboy?
and how did that workout for the Wii U? your very own example shows you just how fickle the non-core gaming appeal is, and how important a core gaming base is.
without games it fails.. few people to spend $400 just so they can control their cable box with Kinect or have Skype integrated into their live NFL. maybe at $99 but at $400 most people already have HDMI/bluetooth solutions for combining Skype or computer with their TV.
the entire value is that we get those features on top of a great gaming device... and considering the PS4 is almost 50% faster, allows independent game publishing, and doesn't account-lock games, it is NOT certain that MS will retain the gaming crown.
(and that's a US crown.. PS3 has sold more than 360 worldwide and the Xbone will likely do even worse WW because almost all of it's all-in-one entertainment features are USA-exclusive)
problem is that almost everything they announced will make the Xbone inferior to the PS4 in terms of gaming
so at what point does this not become a discussion about adding TV and Computer to their Gaming, but subtracting Gaming from their TV and Computer.
as Nintendo and Sony showed before, being the #1 gaming platform is very easily squandered if you try to do too much at the cost of the core gaming experience.
Has Microsoft's Xbox One Destroyed Apple TV? [View article]
Apple would be crazy to sell a full Apple TV at $1000+.... That would kill adoption rates, especially early adopters. They're much better off offering a $100-200 iTV box to attract early adopters/impulse buyers, and if they want, offer premium living room monitors (And even monitors with built-in iTVs later) for people to upgrade as they so choose. but launch day for an Apple TV would be a massive failure compared to simply an iTV box.
Has Microsoft's Xbox One Destroyed Apple TV? [View article]
btw if i come off as cynical or bitter toward you that's not my intent... i want to go long MS to be honnest... for much of last year I've been debating which OS to try base my devices around. i loved the idea of switching to a heavily CHROME based experience... I thought about trying everything in iOS. of course BB10 arrived. but after research the MS Surface, I decided on MS. i decided that as much as I liked my old BB and I like what CHROME is trying, Windows is too important to me. So I went with all Dell/Surface/WIn8 products, save for me phone (which I would like to switch to a Win phone in a couple years).
any strong conviction is not based on negativity toward MS or you personally but simply that I think MS is squandering both some great potential and the recent impressive gains they finally made with the Win8 phones/Surface tablets -- they've been making so many mistakes that I was so glad to finally see a great new piece of hardware from them in the SurfaceRT.
but now they're making so many mistakes with the Xbone. the 'IDEA' is amazing but the way they're handling what equals 'tv' but also 'games' is enslaving them to companies such as Comcast and EA. so they're going to end up with an all-in-one device that's really not all-in-one, and doesn't offer the most complete TV experience (TV defined as what 20somethings define it as and will define it as when they become 30somethings during the Xbone's life) or the most complete gaming experience (1.2Ghz GPU to PS4's 1.8Ghz and only 5GB of DDR3 for gaming as opposed to PS4's 7GB of GDDR5) (Xbone account-locked games and no independent game/app publishing where as PS4, as of yet at least, still plans independent publishing and no account-locked games). (all subject to change before launch).
honnestly, i'd love to own all MS devices that let me move all my Office/media files easily between devices/clouds/etc in every room or building that I frequent. I do like Google but I really dislike iOS and Safari. I love Chrome but I hate their office software. I loved BB but with how amazing voice recognition is on Siri/Google Now I feel like their QWERTY is becoming much less important and BB has no chance of ever offering a similar product without the same search/maps/etc database than those 2 have built. so a big part of my presence (and i do apologize if it comes off as bitter or rambling because im just typing randomly throughout the last 2 days while im multitasking away from home) in this article thread is because I'm hoping someone can prove me wrong.
Has Microsoft's Xbox One Destroyed Apple TV? [View article]
1. sure but is it a 400m marketing advantage? look at the demographics of the NFL and the computer hardware/software they use... they likely already overwhelmingly use MS products.
2. sure but so what if it's the same platform code? and so what if the 360 finally included it after years? Xbone does not have independent publishing and no plans to include it, so you cannot independently publish an app to be usable on the Xbone -- further, MS commented this week that there's no plans to change this. so this adds no value. imagine iTunes if you couldn't publish an app without a publisher.
3. that's incorrect. Xbox 360 with a HD launched at $400. PS3 with an HD launched at $400. So it's entirely realistic that the Xbone will release at $400 with both an HD and Kinect 2 (a $50-100 product). if it releases at $300 then MS is going to lose so much money that it should impact short-term EPS guidance and if it doesn't then cause EPS to miss guidance. i don't think you understand the difference between the COGs of the $300 Xbox 360 (without a HD and Kinect) and the 360/PS3 with a HD and Kinect/PSEye.
4. sure there's no degradation but there are limitations. the gaming will have a 33% weaker GPU and an upwards of 25-50% weaker RAM than its competition because of that multi-tasking. the cable viewership still requires a HDMI cable box (so it's not all-in-one) or the use of an IR blaster (so thus your channel/DVR is not integrated into the Xbone interface and again is not all-in-one). lastly, there's no reason a future AAPL or GOOG tv cannot support gaming and webbrowsing alongside TV because both have ample app/gaming/OS libraries now. and this is still ONLY an MS advantage if you're actually still part of the declining pay-cable demographic.
Has Microsoft's Xbox One Destroyed Apple TV? [View article]
how is AAPL not able to easily do this with Siri? if anything it should be easier because MS Xbone accounts are much more user exclusive to protect the property rights of publishers.
Microsoft: Where's Your Game At? [View article]
Which is great.
But you speak as if the XBone is a unique all-in-one solution, when in reality you still need a cable box, and PCs already offer similar integrated solutions via apps, and further current consoles and the PS4 offer many basic multimedia features and work fine for viewing TV and movies.
It just sounded like you made the XBone sound much more revolutionary than it is when it's really just evolutionary from the PS3 and 360 via the new multitasking features.
Microsoft: Where's Your Game At? [View article]
Sony knows exactly what their target consumer wants and seems to be offering the best console solution by having the most superior technology power and the most open gaming platform for consumer and developers. Developers can independently publish games (MS doesn't allow that), games are not account locked (they are on XBone), and the PS4 has a 50% faster GPU and roughly 50% faster RAM throughput (so the XBone will have noticeably inferior visual graphics for its games).
Microsoft, in contrast, is offering a weaker computer so that they can allow users to group Skype, check (specifically and exclusively) ESPN.com fantasy leagues, and swipe-tab between NFL games and Call of Duty.
Now you tell me, based on the reception thus far, is that what consumers want? Is that really what core gamers want? Inferior graphical performance? And is that really how 20somethings define TV? Pay-cable? Is there really any genuine demand from that functionality, especially from the rapidly declining American-only pay-cable demographic?
If anything, I think Sony is more focused on what its consumers want and Microsoft is more focused on what they think consumers will think is cool. And I question if they really understand how 20-somethings (who will become 30-somethings during the XBone's life) actually prefer to view TV or Skype or websites or apps.
Microsoft: Where's Your Game At? [View article]
I don't think that appeal and incredibly unique change can be overstated...
In contrast, a lot of non-gamers may barely care to notice the difference between Wii MarioKart and Wii U MarioKart, for example. And I think we already see that proven.
In this way, MS and Kinect and Oculus are paving the way, and I don't think Nintendo will ever get close to Wii success again until some time has passed since non-gamers last embraced Mario and Nintendo offers them a completely new way to experience Mario.
Much of Wii's success was not only the Wiimote but also the timing -- the contrast to PS/XB, the time consumers had spent away from Mario and the blooming nostalgia. I think for most people, the Wii U is just more of the same, and new great games won't change the fact that it's still just another Wii Mario except now you apparently new a confusing expensive new system.
And the poor Wii sales show that I think.
Microsoft: Where's Your Game At? [View article]
But it seems like pure speculation, no? Do cable providers actually have a desire to get into the console subsidization business? Will MS sell XBones at a further greater loss to encourage this?
Truthfully I think this is a great long-term idea and even if the XBone is a failure, it's a necessary step to get to success. But I'm worried about losses for MS...
COGS are going to be so high for a console with as much silicon as Sony's, and then not only a HDD but also Kinect 2.0. Then they need to potentially subsidize sales through cable providers. Lastly, they need above-average size marketing to educate consumers that the XBone is not simply a gaming console but an entertainment console.
I think the long-term idea is great, but just like any new great innovation (Internet, smartphones, tablets, voice recognition), it typically has a few inefficient, ineffective, and non-user-friendly iterations before it's perfected for the masses.
My concern is that this will all hurt MS short run EPS, MS will again experiment with this innovation but not reap the mass success while handicapping their other ventures (gaming in this case) and then in 1-2 generations once it's perfected (and this INCLUDES consumer demand) then everyone will be offering it.
I'm not convinced the high COGS are worth it, the decline in gaming power is worth it, and that the consumer demand is worth it. Especially the last one: basically we're looking at integrating TV Skyping, web browsing, and ESPN NFL fantasy leaguing into gaming -- considering that so many 20-35 now use Internet to watch TV and use tablets/smartphones to do those things and much more already -- do people really actually want to distract from their gaming and TV even more than we already do?
I feel a part of this is MS felt the idea is cool a la Minority Report but never really stopped to wonder if consumers actually want to use these features after the first month coolness wears off.
I would never complain about these features if they were bonus without any cost... But they're coming with a heavy cost to price, marketing and PR, cogs and profit, and especially gaming.
Will Microsoft's Release Of Xbox One Trigger Another Rally? [View article]
Biggest concern I found was what you said about multi-media.. The PS3 and PS4 both have multimedia solutions for movies, TV, and computer integrated into their interface and OS. Further, the Xbone is not entirely an all-in-one solution is it requires a separate cable box and cable subscription completely independent of the Xbox service, and a further independent interface if your cable box is not HDMI (not uncommon) or no integration if your definition of TV is other than pay-cable (satt, internet, etc).
Just to clarify so your readers don't misunderstand that if they buy a XBox One, they have a single solution to all their gaming, TV, and computer needs, and if they own a Nintendo or Sony product then they have none -- as your article seems to suggest.
Microsoft: Where's Your Game At? [View article]
and ultimately it "killed" their share price.. how's that 5YTD done for you?
are you a shareholder or a fanboy?
and how did that workout for the Wii U? your very own example shows you just how fickle the non-core gaming appeal is, and how important a core gaming base is.
Microsoft: Where's Your Game At? [View article]
the entire value is that we get those features on top of a great gaming device... and considering the PS4 is almost 50% faster, allows independent game publishing, and doesn't account-lock games, it is NOT certain that MS will retain the gaming crown.
(and that's a US crown.. PS3 has sold more than 360 worldwide and the Xbone will likely do even worse WW because almost all of it's all-in-one entertainment features are USA-exclusive)
Microsoft: Where's Your Game At? [View article]
p.s. you forgot a lot of amending asterix disclaimers on your all-in-one parade
Microsoft: Where's Your Game At? [View article]
1. MS has clearly unveiled the XBone as an all-in-one entertainment product, not a focused gaming product.
2. The Xbone has more regulated and less free design for used games and independent games.
3. Gaming processing power has been reduced to increase TV and Computer processing power.
I'm not saying any of this is bad.
But it undeniable reduces the focus on the gaming experience in order to improve the focus on TV and computing.
Microsoft: Where's Your Game At? [View article]
so at what point does this not become a discussion about adding TV and Computer to their Gaming, but subtracting Gaming from their TV and Computer.
as Nintendo and Sony showed before, being the #1 gaming platform is very easily squandered if you try to do too much at the cost of the core gaming experience.
Has Microsoft's Xbox One Destroyed Apple TV? [View article]
Has Microsoft's Xbox One Destroyed Apple TV? [View article]
any strong conviction is not based on negativity toward MS or you personally but simply that I think MS is squandering both some great potential and the recent impressive gains they finally made with the Win8 phones/Surface tablets -- they've been making so many mistakes that I was so glad to finally see a great new piece of hardware from them in the SurfaceRT.
but now they're making so many mistakes with the Xbone. the 'IDEA' is amazing but the way they're handling what equals 'tv' but also 'games' is enslaving them to companies such as Comcast and EA. so they're going to end up with an all-in-one device that's really not all-in-one, and doesn't offer the most complete TV experience (TV defined as what 20somethings define it as and will define it as when they become 30somethings during the Xbone's life) or the most complete gaming experience (1.2Ghz GPU to PS4's 1.8Ghz and only 5GB of DDR3 for gaming as opposed to PS4's 7GB of GDDR5) (Xbone account-locked games and no independent game/app publishing where as PS4, as of yet at least, still plans independent publishing and no account-locked games). (all subject to change before launch).
honnestly, i'd love to own all MS devices that let me move all my Office/media files easily between devices/clouds/etc in every room or building that I frequent. I do like Google but I really dislike iOS and Safari. I love Chrome but I hate their office software. I loved BB but with how amazing voice recognition is on Siri/Google Now I feel like their QWERTY is becoming much less important and BB has no chance of ever offering a similar product without the same search/maps/etc database than those 2 have built.
so a big part of my presence (and i do apologize if it comes off as bitter or rambling because im just typing randomly throughout the last 2 days while im multitasking away from home) in this article thread is because I'm hoping someone can prove me wrong.
Has Microsoft's Xbox One Destroyed Apple TV? [View article]
2. sure but so what if it's the same platform code? and so what if the 360 finally included it after years? Xbone does not have independent publishing and no plans to include it, so you cannot independently publish an app to be usable on the Xbone -- further, MS commented this week that there's no plans to change this. so this adds no value. imagine iTunes if you couldn't publish an app without a publisher.
3. that's incorrect. Xbox 360 with a HD launched at $400. PS3 with an HD launched at $400. So it's entirely realistic that the Xbone will release at $400 with both an HD and Kinect 2 (a $50-100 product). if it releases at $300 then MS is going to lose so much money that it should impact short-term EPS guidance and if it doesn't then cause EPS to miss guidance. i don't think you understand the difference between the COGs of the $300 Xbox 360 (without a HD and Kinect) and the 360/PS3 with a HD and Kinect/PSEye.
4. sure there's no degradation but there are limitations. the gaming will have a 33% weaker GPU and an upwards of 25-50% weaker RAM than its competition because of that multi-tasking. the cable viewership still requires a HDMI cable box (so it's not all-in-one) or the use of an IR blaster (so thus your channel/DVR is not integrated into the Xbone interface and again is not all-in-one). lastly, there's no reason a future AAPL or GOOG tv cannot support gaming and webbrowsing alongside TV because both have ample app/gaming/OS libraries now. and this is still ONLY an MS advantage if you're actually still part of the declining pay-cable demographic.
Has Microsoft's Xbox One Destroyed Apple TV? [View article]
Has Microsoft's Xbox One Destroyed Apple TV? [View article]