Xboy's iPod murder plot exposed, will involve major online media service
If Brier Dudley of the Seattle Times is to be believed (he seems like a nice enough fellow), Microsoft is not only poised to release an Xboy this Christmas, but will have it interacting with Xgirl, Xuncle and Xred-headed step-child, the latter of which will probably prove a formidable challenge to market. All part of Project Argo -- the name of the warship that carried Greek Mythology's Jason around -- the project jokingly dubbed Xboy seems to be a full attack on that popular, more fruitful music player and it is likely to be waged on multiple fronts. As Mr. Dudley writes, the project "being developed is actually a complete line of Xbox-branded digital-media products, including a device that plays media, a software media player and an online media service."
Under the leadership of General J. Allard, the branded media players will go to war with the iPod, the DS and the PSP with Wi-Fi at their disposal, as well as the backing of music companies, online media services and presumably, blitzkrieg marketing tactics. The article also mentions the support of the touted XNA platform, no doubt paving the way for easy support for existing Microsoft platform games.
What you can take from the Seattle Times article is this: Microsoft is pushing hard to release a killer portable device this Christmas, one complete with Wi-Fi capabilities and an online X-tunes service which may very well be home to familiar games and properties. We can only pray that the inevitable portable version of Halo isn't dubbed Hago.
Previously:
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jason @ Jul 10th 2006 12:35PM
Sony tried this already, going head to head with a gaming machine against Nintendo. They lost (admit it fanboys, psp is no longer a game machine). And do you think people will trade in their Ipods for an ms branded one? they havent done so for the creative ones.
I just think MS should focus on the 360. It needs more arcade games, games, etc. Focus while you have the lead on sony, instead of shifting focus to something else.
Derbeste @ Jul 10th 2006 12:40PM
So they are starting a propriety portable media network......
Clearly they are taking the xbox anywhere/vista/media center/life integration thing farther than anticipated. Is it too much too soon though?
Well...at least they have learned ONE lesson.
It doesn't sound like they are releasing one "jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none" device that can do everything and make your breakfast too (albiet a very bland breakfast). It sounds like this will be a whole line of products - each having it's own function.....and battery! If that is the case, this is a surprisingly GOOD move for MS.
However, it remains to be seen if the consuming public will integrate themselves with a proprietary MS only "house".
Jeff @ Jul 10th 2006 12:45PM
So MS's strategy in taking on all of these highly focused, highly specialized devices that are as popular for their ease of use as anything else is to basically just throw the kitchen sink at them. Just throw everything together in a big soup and hope it turns out alright.
Sorry, MS. This isn't the way it works. You'll learn soon enough.
Sagan @ Jul 10th 2006 12:50PM
If they announce this late that they will release a game console this winter then their launch will suck. Even if developers knew earlier. Also support for XNA might turn out to be a mistake, because the PSP has shown that people don't want downgraded console games for their portable. I suspect that their main aim is to compete with the iPod, and competing in the games market is secondary.
Cabbage @ Jul 10th 2006 12:50PM
I certainly hope people have learned from the PSP that we don't just want console ports on our handhelds. With the Xboy joining in on the XNA goodness, it brings up concerns about another port-supported portable with Xtreme media capabilities thinking it is the answer to all of our problems.
That being said, I think that the Xboy certainly has a chance at "killing off" the PSP simply because of the lack of exclusivity in the future and Microsoft's skills at taking something someone else has done and doing it better.
Garriq @ Jul 10th 2006 12:54PM
Neat. I'd buy one if I didn't get a 5G video iPod. If it plays games, I might buy it though. Portable Halo FTW.
ncdign @ Jul 10th 2006 12:59PM
Ah so that's where Michael Stipe...er...rather J. Allard disappeared to. What's the frequency Allard?
Lupos @ Jul 10th 2006 1:02PM
portable halo = prolly not good. unless they make a very very exceptional control scheme. However... portable geometry wars? marble blast? yik? = awsome! and with live anywhere... once you have them for the 360 you would be able to have them on your xboy... genius!
now if ms does its patented "we have so much money we can undercut all you SOB's" manuever then this could be a huge winfall for them.
I doubt they will unseat the DS or the ipod but if they make two device that attack both they can prolly get enough market share in each sector to make for a heck of a launching pad for future iterations.
interesting times lay ahead thats for sure.
Matt @ Jul 10th 2006 1:08PM
I find this story entirely believable. Apple represents the largest threat to Microsoft's core OS business and it's being fueld largely by the enormous popularity of the iPod.
While most of Microsoft's products are scorned and viewed as necessary evils, the Xbox has a rather strong brand with a large following of satisfied users. If MS is ever to have a chance against the iPod, its strongest bet is with the Xbox brand.
Derbeste @ Jul 10th 2006 1:11PM
Matt. I dissagree. I think Google is MS's biggest threat right now.
No matter how big the ipod is.....the Internet is bigger.
Endejas @ Jul 10th 2006 1:15PM
"now if ms does its patented "we have so much money we can undercut all you SOB's" manuever then this could be a huge winfall for them."
lmao, that might have been the funniest thing i've ever read here, and it's so true!
and I think they know they can't win. it's just to make the leader nervous. sort of like the walkman. it held majority only when compared to another company, but when compared to the marketshare, other disc players outsold the walkmen. it was just the biggest brand.
if microsoft can open people's eyes, and show them, that there are more mp3 playes than just the iPod, it might drop the iPod down, and bring Creative and other companies into the light.
and portable geometry wars is great. *gasp* make a tilt-sensitive marble blast ultra!
Jake @ Jul 10th 2006 1:18PM
They are launching several products. If they have a serious gaming one, I doubt it will be out by Christmas. Not showing it at E3 is prolly the only evidence that I need. The only way there could be cames for it if XBLA and Xbox games were ported to it.
I don't think MS can gain much in the portable gaming market. That is, unless they come up with something truly revolutionary. Maybe a PSP + stylus. Or a triple screen. How about 3D stereograph?
Cage @ Jul 10th 2006 1:21PM
And this is why most are bloggers and not executives. Take no chance = no Ipod, no playstation, no DS lite. Lets all see what it does and if it matches up well (or exceeds) what existing devices can do. Maybe this is the reason the 360 isnt doing well in Japan. Pre-concieved ideas...
aegies @ Jul 10th 2006 1:27PM
it seems to me that this move would be phenomenally ill advised for microsoft, especially this christmas. this holiday is their first real chance to give their new console a strong push, and they absolutely need to capitalize on what will likely be the general inability by consumers to obtain a ps3. they cannot afford to release another subsidized product distracting from their big holiday 360 push, and microsoft's shareholders will not tolerate a second, major loss leader product designed to subsidize entry into another market that microsoft has no share in whatsoever. say what you want about microsoft, but they aren't stupid, and their console strategy for the 360 so far has been pretty effective in achieving their goals in relation to what they have control over. this would hurt their flagship product this christmas, and microsoft shouldn't, and probably won't, let that happen.
Insomnia Bob @ Jul 10th 2006 1:30PM
This leak is suspect to me. One of microsoft's strong points is obviously brandage. If they WERE releasing an Ipod killer this chirstmas, wouldn't they be promoting the hell out of it now? They don't seem the sort to keep things quiet on a major platform launch.
vidGuy @ Jul 10th 2006 1:32PM
If they were priced right, I could see it selling. Undercut the iPod by selling a 30GB+ music player for $199, and dig into DS and PSP sales by also launching a gaming device at $199.
They CAN NOT do it this year, though. They stand to do really well with the 360 this holiday season, so it's important that the 360 is THE MS product to get.
Plus, if they wait till next year, they'll have E3 all to themselves in the hardware realm, and they'll have the only hardware launch (that we know of) for Holidays 07.
If it's going to happen, it'll be at least another year.
Big Ed @ Jul 10th 2006 1:38PM
Wow! A Ipod killer that will play games and will be able to connect to the internet? Hello? Microsoft, it's called the PSP, and yeah, it failed as an "Ipod killer".
Todd H. @ Jul 10th 2006 1:54PM
Give me something I can play Halo 2 Multi-Player on and I'm sold. I think a lot of others would be too...
Todd
http://www.proxbox360.com
Probot @ Jul 10th 2006 1:56PM
People seem to forget the PSP still sells well in the US, even better than the DS most months. I wouldn't venture as to say why that is, but it's possible the all-in-one nature helps its appeal.
This rumor has a lot of steam, though I'm not sure why, since it seems pretty doubtful. I wouldn't worry about the marketing thing just yet. Wii and PS3 don't have much marketing going on right now, and they'll be out by November at the latest. So there's plenty of time for MS to announce a product.
However, why would MS release a product that is going against heavy hitters like Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops on PSP, Final Fantasy III, Star Fox, Pheonix Wright and Zelda on DS? They need something Halo-sized to make any kind of impact.
Petey @ Jul 10th 2006 2:13PM
This Brian Dudley dude is a puppet, a clown puppet... makes me lol... :)
DG @ Jul 10th 2006 2:21PM
I like to keep my gaming and computing separate. It seems like any "Xboy" concept would require the use of a computer with Windows, and that alienates me as a Mac user.
MS can FT itself. I'm not interested in this.
Anticrawl @ Jul 10th 2006 2:45PM
I wanna know where you get your facts from Probot. As far as I know NOA and Sony do not realease US sales figures and neither do major retailers in the states, especially when pertaining to this. Why they don't is obvious and if you don't know then you're probably one of the reasons.
If they do infact it's very rare and only happens during the holidays, in sparce/incomplete numbers, or as a press release when a console launches so the company can say they "Sold out" of X ammount of units in a x amount of time when in reality they mean units sold to retailers.
I'd love to see the US sales figures if you have them or your source. Honestly though I think we have a fanboy on our hands.
On another note I think I could potentially buy a MS PMP, I'm in the market for one and the shitty file structure in the iPod as well as my hate for iTunes takes it off my list of options. I was going to get a Creative Vision: M but I may just wait until Microsoft shows me what they have. I doubt MS's PMP will be hindered by limited formats as well.
Anticrawl
Phantom N @ Jul 10th 2006 2:59PM
I just hope i don't have to give the "bits and the bites" talk to my DS now. "Now when a Xboy and Xgirl really love each other..." My DS is already looks up naked DS motherboards on the internet when I'm gone. He isnt even a month old yet. I'm worried he might have a problem.
Really though, this sounds great, more competition = better quality to the consumer. Yah consumer!
-Phantom N
Tim @ Jul 10th 2006 3:08PM
The idea is people are buying macs more because they like ipods. Google is not even close to being Microsofts biggest competitor. What does google sell? Who cares? Microsoft is in the business of software, not search engines.
They need to sell things that make people buy more of their software, and use more of their software.
I'm extremely excited for whatever product they sell me, because I want the whole package. Xbox 360, Vista PC, Xboy, and a subscription to Urge that's constantly spewing music all over them.
Xantar @ Jul 10th 2006 3:14PM
At #18 - "People seem to forget the PSP still sells well in the US, even better than the DS most months. I wouldn't venture as to say why that is, but it's possible the all-in-one nature helps its appeal."
Very true. However, PSP games sell terribly in comparison. It seems that most people who buy a PSP are doing it to play movies or music from their computer. And that's great except Sony is losing on every PSP sold.
Ian @ Jul 10th 2006 3:19PM
I'm really interested to see what MS can do here. Sony failed pretty bad, I mean compared to the DS, and against the iPod they didn't even put a dent. I still like my PSP but I've been slowly turning away from Sony the past couple months.
Probot @ Jul 10th 2006 3:23PM
I usually get my data from here:
http://forum.pcvsconsole.com/folder.php?fid=23
It's a forum where people post various sales data, including NPD data, which is what I was refrencing.
May 2006:
PSP - 159,659
NDS - 145,930
http://forum.pcvsconsole.com/viewthread.php?tid=19265
April 2006:
PSP - 162,438 / $36,861,950
NDS - 138,427 / $19,049,660
http://forum.pcvsconsole.com/viewthread.php?tid=19055
Hard to find consistent numbers, but those two months are based on retailer sales data (as opposed to official numbers of units "shipped").
DrAsimov @ Jul 10th 2006 3:34PM
While this WAS being discussed a few months back, my biggest concern is for my 13 year old son. Does MS know how many times he'll have to wax Ed Asner's back before he's able to secure the funds for this new puppy of a machine?!?!? Sheesh.
Probot @ Jul 10th 2006 3:41PM
After thinking about it for a little while, I don't think I've ever seen a month where the DS has actually outsold the PSP in the US.
However, I do understand why people think it has failed. First, the software does not sell as well. Whereas the DS usually has a few titles do well here and there, Liberty City Stories was really the first major hit for the PSP.
Second, people are bombarded with sales numbers from other regions, such as Japan, where the difference between DS and PSP is astronomical. And those numbers come out every month, so the idea of a failed PSP is constantly reinforced.
Lastly, the PSP, along with Sony, is pretty unpopular online. That has nothing to do with sales, but it certainly helps shape someone's perception of the facts.
Probot @ Jul 10th 2006 3:43PM
Correction: "And those numbers come out every month, so the idea of a failed PSP is constantly reinforced."
Should be: "And those numbers come out every WEEK, so the idea of a failed PSP is constantly reinforced."
Jason @ Jul 10th 2006 3:53PM
Everyone is missing the point... If you give me a DAP that has WiFi, a cool interface like the Windows PMC interface (or better yet a blade interface like the 360 has with themes!), a unified subscription to URGE or someother MS service that I can use on my DAP or my PC (oh and it will probably be connected to my 360 too), the ability to play XBLM games like Geometry Wars (and not have to pay for them again!), and PERFECT connectivity with WMP11 then I am SOLD!!!! I'm sure they will all have the same styling as the 360... they will probably even support different face plates, etc... that was a big thing with Allard... so the basic shape of the player will be the same but everyone could customize it to fit there own style...
Also... if they really connect all these forms of LIVE together and I only have to buy a single copy of Bejeweled and I can play it on any of my devices that will be HUGE!!! How cool would it be running around playing UNO on a DAP with your own music playing in the background!!!
Oh and if MS does all this there are HELPING push the XBOX brand... if there is a DAP that does all this stuff for $199 then you could pickup the 360 and the DAP as a package for $498 or $598!!! a much better value than the PS3 with a questionable blu-ray drive!
Really think about all the cool things they did to make the XBOX 360 great for gaming the community... take all those innovations and apply them to the DAP market!! This could be HUGE!
32_Footsteps @ Jul 10th 2006 4:12PM
Well, Probot, consider that the Gamecube overall sold as well as the Xbox. Yet I almost always hear the 'cube being touted as a failure, while the Xbox is considered a success.
Everyone has their own numbers that they want to play with. At the end of the day, the only ones that really matter are the profits, because those determine what the companies in question will do next.
Probot @ Jul 10th 2006 4:35PM
Yeah, I agree it's the same kind of thing with the GC. It's just that the numbers are larger overall, so saying Xbox sold 3 million more than GC seems like a lot. But in the context, the difference between 1st and 2nd is so great, the difference between 2nd and 3rd is irrelevant.
The only data I could find comparing US console sales starts at November 2001, which is when both Xbox and GC launched. However, the PS2 had been out for a year by then, so you can't compare those sales.
http://forum.pcvsconsole.com/viewthread.php?tid=11067
Xbox: 14,357,248
GC: 11,098,241
Difference of 3,259,007
However, just for refrence, even though this is not counting the first year of the PS2, the Xbox still sold 14,695,394 less than the PS2.
32_Footsteps @ Jul 10th 2006 4:40PM
Well, that's also where foreign numbers come in. Outside of the US, the Gamecube did sell better.
Also, as I said before, the profits are really what matters. Nintendo is known to be profiting on the DS already at this point, and it's reasonable to assume the profits are going to continue to roll in on the system. Meanwhile, I have no idea if the PSP is ever going to be profitable.
In terms of both sales, there's argument for both the PSP and the DS succeeding in the US. But if we're talking about profits (or global sales), the DS is the only one that can be counted as a success.
web design uk @ Jul 10th 2006 5:00PM
The Xboy project is going to be a really interesting one.
Watch this space!
Probot @ Jul 10th 2006 5:12PM
Well, profits are certainly important to Nintendo, since they're a videogame-centered company. But we all know about the infamous $4 billion Microsoft dumped into the Xbox.
MS is big enough that it can do that, and so is Sony to some degree. For them, creating a strong user base has to be the number one priority. And they've been successful. MS went from newcomer to 2nd place in a single generation. They've invested $4 billion into creating a recognizable brand. And Sony is investing billions into maintaining its Playstation brand.
Nintendo can't rely on its other departments to pick up the slack. (Though, if you separate console and handheld, the GBA probably saved Nintendo). Whereas Sony TV sales don't affect the sale of PS2s, the GC sales tend to rely on GC software, and vice versa.
The bigger the user base, the more developers are interested in your hardware. So even if you lose money on the sale of the PSP, the fact that it has 3 exclusive Metal Gear Solid games helps Sony continue to make money. (That's a bad example since I don't know how the Ac!d series sells, and Portable Ops isn't out.)
Buy yeah, at the end of the day, the bottom line matters. And Nintendo is famous for staying in the black. But the bottom line is dependant on more than just the profitability of the hardware, but also the availability and popularity of software.
Xander224 @ Jul 10th 2006 5:18PM
Wow! Sony wasn't lying when they said Microsoft follows them everywhere. With this and the apparent adding of HDMI to the 360, MS is just copying Sony over and over.....
JetJaguar @ Jul 10th 2006 5:53PM
To 'Ian', '32_footsteps', et al...
We must remember that selling hardware is not a zero sum game. Just because 'X' company sells fewer units of product '1' than 'Y' company sells of product '2' does not mean that 'X' company is staring ignominy and bankruptcy in the face. The bottom line is always... the bottom line. We (the narrow caste of gadget/game fanatics) always tend to think in terms of wins and losses, but these companies directors/shareholders don't; they think in terms of returns on capital employed and market share (likely future returns, in many ways).
MS have clearly decided that there's room for another player (... to make money), and hence X-Boy (whatever that means).
Gadget history is littered with examples of companies who've decided not to compete but to expand the market. MS aren't going up against anyone (in the same way that Sony aren't going up against Ninty). They're simply taking advantage of the fact that consumers have been attuned to the idea that certain types of product may be useful to them.
kristian @ Jul 10th 2006 7:28PM
as long as they port monster hunter i will get this. :D
Petey @ Jul 10th 2006 7:56PM
The quality of the comments on this post is laughable... are you all 10 y-old kids fed with big macs... stop masturbating & writting at the same time... your phantasy is not reality... lolololol...
PublicDeviance @ Jul 10th 2006 8:24PM
Xander... MS copying Sony?
Q-Who is copying the grammy winning online gaming service developed by Microsoft?
A-Sony
Q-Who is copying the new innovative control ideas by Nintendo, and more specifically the exact control scheme MS used years ago on pc's?
A-Sony
Q-Who is copying the two sku idea put in place by Microsoft a year ago?
A-Sony
The fact is, it is standard business to see what other companies are doing and try to do it better. Just like when sony started the first playstation. They copied bits and pieces from each of the other console developers for their on console. This is undeniable. But all in all, what does this have to do with sony? What, because it is portable media player like all the other hundreds out there? Because it is to be supported by a service similar to itunes (which ISNT developed by sony), or... could it be the idea it may be a portable game machine (which obviously sony isnt trying to follow nintendo's footsteps with that one). I love the mention of the HDMI port, which sony so happen to not even include the feature on the cheaper sku, considering betaray is the driving source behind all things ps3. The fact is, you dont want a new media player don't buy it. If it is a really good media player with strong support, it will sell. If it connects to xbox live, it will sell more. If you can play live arcade, that is strong incentive because a lot of xbox owners already have games purchased so you could just pick up the system and be able to play something without an added purchase. Any competition is good for business. All will try and have better features, price, values, etc. and the others will have to match it or beat it in some way. With the support itunes has, ms wouldnt spend the time and money unless they thought they could actually pull it off and gain a size of the market (not necessarily beat it, but be successful). With ALL these leaks, I just wish MS could officially come out and make some statements about the device so those that are interested could know more of the facts and not have to speculate on so many rumors. Control the hype before it gets out of control.
marcin @ Jul 10th 2006 8:41PM
nice post Jason.
as for the copying arguement. neither side copies; they innovate and improve.
Daniel @ Jul 10th 2006 9:02PM
PublicDeviance, I actually thought Playstation patented a motion sensor controller in the 90s and was the first one to start an online gaming service, But I guess not *sarcasm*. Anyways, The 2 sku copying argument is stupid.
If only Sony & Apple would only team up.. Maybe throw in Google too.. then that would definently kill MS maybe even overkill..
gilwen @ Jul 10th 2006 10:12PM
if all the blogs are to be believed then MS will try to attract current itunes owners by giving them free copies of the stuff that they have already purchased from the iTunes music store.
gil
Mike @ Jul 10th 2006 10:45PM
One simple statement... could a company please put more focus on a system instead of rushing to release a new one every year? We truly haven't seen anyone put a lasting amount of effort into a system since the PS1.
I mean come on, they've not even begun to juice the 360..., I think the PSP still has great potential, even though it isn't doing so hot right now. I've seen 2 good games on on the 360 so far... that's it. I honestly don't believe if you're a gamer who pays for their own things (not someone whose parents buy them games) would want to shell out $300+ a year on a system alone, then pay $50-60 per game only to have it 'outdated' in a year.
Now I get it, they called it the Xbox360 because they wanted to make it a thing of the past in only one year. Perhaps it should be called an Xbox365.
sigma419 @ Jul 10th 2006 11:02PM
Daniel - The first online gaming service was not made by Sony. The first online gaming service was on the PC.
Gwolf @ Jul 10th 2006 11:32PM
I was so pumped about the PS3 and then I actually got one. Talk about bad design, who thought of that control scheme. Coupled with all their glaring failures at developing the potential of the device beyond gaming, it’s a failure as far as I am concerned.
Great concept, lousy execution.
IPOD
By now should have had Bluetooth 1.2 support and a replaceable battery.
Great concept, half assed execution.
Perhaps M$ can light a fire under them.
Daniel @ Jul 11th 2006 12:38AM
"Daniel - The first online gaming service was not made by Sony. The first online gaming service was on the PC."
LOL! Sorry! What I meant was, Sony developed an online gaming service before Microsoft did..
Xander224 @ Jul 11th 2006 1:46AM
Actully I was being sarcastic because everyone says Sony copies, but when MS blatently does it, no one complains... :P
Patrick Martin @ Jul 11th 2006 10:45AM
Guys, The DS lite has outsold the PSP since it's release. Furthermore the DS and Ds lite have both outsold the psp in Japan. Worldwide sales of the DS are approaching PS2-like sales numbers, that is phenomenal for handheld. Software sales are skyrocketing, the DS already has over 10 million selling games and more are on the way.
The problem with the Xboy that no one seems to be talking about is that Rare and Nintendo are collaberating on a games for the DS. This could be one game or more than one.
The reason I doubt this article is because the Wii and the PS3 are both launching in November. If those consoles have great launch titles than the 360 will be in trouble, especially in japan and europe. These are areas where the Xbox 360 is not selling well.