This year marked the first release of the next generation of home video game consoles with the release of Nintendo's Wii U. All eyes are on Microsoft and Sony as gamers eagerly anticipate their next-gen offerings. A new report from Bloomberg seems to confirm that Microsoft is planning on releasing the Xbox 720 for the 2013 holiday shopping season.
The Bloomberg report is based on insider sources, who also state that Microsoft still hasn't decided whether to unveil the next Xbox at E3 2013 or at a separate launch event specifically for the console. Either way, Microsoft should be pulling the curtains back on the Xbox 720 in the first half of 2013.
Microsoft hasn't officially confirmed any details about the next Xbox, but reports and leaks give us an outline of what to expect from Microsoft's Xbox 720.
For starters, the console will launch in two versions. There will be a dedicated gaming version, and a cheaper entertainment-based set-top box. The cheaper set-top Xbox will be more akin to Apple TV, and will be able to play downloadable games most likely through Xbox Live and possibly even Microsoft's Windows store.
The dedicated gaming Xbox 720 will be a more traditional home console - with some extra perks. Microsoft is rumored to be including a TV input that will allow the Xbox 720 to act as a DVR and record broadcast television. The Xbox 720 should also utilize Blu-ray, and help launch the next iteration of Kinect.
Microsoft is also reported to be releasing a 7-inch gaming tablet dubbed 'Xbox Surface' sometime in 2013 as well.
While many expected Sony to follow with the PlayStation 4 in 2014, analyst Michael Patcher told Play Magazine that he believes that Sony will also launch the PlayStation 4 in October or November 2013 as to not fall too behind Microsoft, which dominated Thanksgiving weekend sales, thanks to the Xbox selling 750,000 units.