NEWS - Monday, May 12, 2003


Xbox Sings a New Tune

LOS ANGELES--Microsoft announced the first nongame application for its Xbox video game console Monday and touted a handful of high-profile games intended to boost the system’s cachet among hardcore players. The unveiling of the Xbox Music Mixer was the most striking announcement at the company’s press conference held in advance of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) trade show here. The $40 package, set to go on sale this fall, will include PC and Xbox software that will allow owners to transfer digital music and photos from their computer to the console’s hard drive. "We have to expand the definition of interactive entertainment," Microsoft executive Ed Fries said during the presentation, promising the music software would "unlock more of the entertainment potential of Xbox." David Hufford, Microsoft product manager, said before the press conference that the package helps expand the utility of the Xbox by allowing it to become a conduit for running slideshows on a television and for doing karaoke using the microphone included in the kit. Nongame uses for the Xbox have been the subject of widespread speculation ever since the console was announced, with many analysts casting the machine as a Trojan horse for Microsoft to expand its reach into the living room. Potential uses for the Xbox as a digital jukebox, a video recorder or a limited-function PC substitute have been mooted. Microsoft fueled speculation last year by conducting a survey on possible Xbox-PC connectivity. Hufford said the Xbox is now established enough as a games machine that Microsoft can look at other ways to utilize its capabilities. Music was a natural direction, he said, given the popularity of existing functions that allow Xbox owners to "rip" songs from a CD to the console’s hard drive. "When we looked at the popularity of people using the Xbox as a jukebox to play their music, we thought there were ways to enhance the value there." In related news, Microsoft announced that "Doom III," the highly anticipated shooting game expected to be released in a PC version possibly late this year, will come out for the Xbox. The software giant also showed previews of "Halo 2," the sequel to the million-selling shooter that helped drive initial Xbox sales. The company also showed kid-oriented titles from Rare, the popular British game developer Microsoft bought last year in an expensive bid to boost the range and quality of its self-published Xbox games. Finally, there were new services for Xbox Live, the online gaming service for the console. These included Web-based services that will alert subscribers by cell phone, handheld computer and other devices when a buddy wants to play a game online. Equally noteworthy were several announcements Microsoft failed to make. Despite widespread speculation, the company offered no price cut on the Xbox hardware and didn’t show the slimmed-down version of the console many had expected.
Source: http://www.news.com

Site Statistics

Registered Members: 81,515
Forum Posts: 725,970
Xbox One Titles: 6,502
Xbox 360 Titles: 1,086
Xbox 360 Kinect Titles: 95
Xbox 360 Arcade Titles: 586
Original Xbox Titles: 987
Staff Reviews: 2,620
Member Reviews: 10,339
News Articles: 16,559
Screenshots: 39,651
Xbox 360 Achievements: 45,112
Xbox 360 Faceplates: 2,016
Cheat Codes: 1,706

Latest News



Bulwark: Evolution Out Now on Consoles

Bulwark: Evolution Out Now on ConsolesThis major free update, which has already been successfully launched on Steam, brings a new layer of depth, strategy, and innovative gameplay mechanics to the immersive world of Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles.


Thrustmaster Unveils T.Flight Hotas One

Thrustmaster Unveils T.Flight Hotas OneThrustmaster’s best-seller is back with a new look featuring the official license of Microsoft Flight Simulator. This complete, precise and easy-to-use hands- on throttle and stick (HOTAS) is the ideal companion for Microsoft Flight Sim 2024





See News Archives

Community Forum Activity

KeyWe Giveaway!
Post by Variation-XBA
0 Replies, 33686 Views

2021: XBA is still here
Post by shrew king
41 Replies, 289947 Views

Watch Dogs: Legion
Post by Nato King
0 Replies, 135269 Views

Xbox Series X or S
Post by Nato King
5 Replies, 156730 Views

Spellbreak Grand Magus Pack (3) and Starter Pack (7) Giveaway!
Post by Variation-XBA
0 Replies, 136571 Views

I pay $ 1000! I search the Element 54 Canadian launch Team signaturen Faceplate
Post by Smill
0 Replies, 165269 Views

Xbox one no signal
Post by debrartin
0 Replies, 151837 Views

do you remember?
Post by SnoochyBoochy
3 Replies, 230564 Views

i haz xbox
Post by SnoochyBoochy
0 Replies, 192401 Views

Claiming the first thread of 2020
Post by Kraft
7 Replies, 276071 Views

Important! I pay $ 1000! I search the Sweden launch and the Element 54 Faceplate
Post by Smill
3 Replies, 155931 Views

Squad Up
Post by samslophead
0 Replies, 283257 Views

TERA Skinned Xbox One X Giveaway!
Post by Variation-XBA
0 Replies, 185025 Views

Starfield Release expectations?
Post by DJ tx
4 Replies, 321485 Views

Issue with Xbox live on Xbox home
Post by rcmpayne
0 Replies, 173054 Views

© 2000-2025 XboxAddict.com - All rights reserved. All trademarks are properties of their respective owners.
Xbox is a registered trademark of Microsoft. XboxAddict.com is not affiliated with Microsoft.

Made in Canada
Site Design by Cameron Graphics