Xbox One News: Microsoft Pitches Console As Small Business Tool

Microsoft is trying to find a new market for the Xbox One, and has decided to begin pushing its next-gen consoles towards small businesses. The company has an open letter to small business owners, asking them to consider buying an Xbox One as a tool for networking and conferencing, as well as having several apps that are useful to business owners. Here's how Marques Lyons, the director of consumer camp for Microsoft, sums up the pitch:

"What is being positioned as an excellent entertainment device can be just as enticing for you and your small business. In fact, it's entirely justifiable to make the Xbox One a business expense. The Xbox One, priced at $499, is an affordable option for small business owners, as there are many features built into the console that could help it rival even the most modest of video conferencing and networking platforms."

Lyons also focuses on the power of the Kinect with Skype to help workers come together for meetings:

"Utilize Skype, and the power of group chatting, to have that collaborative exchange with clients and co-workers, no matter where in the world they happen to be. Utilize the size of that nice TV screen to see every smile and nod as your next great plan comes together ...The difference here is that Xbox One and Kinect gives you the open space to move, gesture, show examples, and see everyone more clearly."

Microsoft's letter also pushes the apps and Microsoft tools like Office as a way to use the Xbox One like a giant PC if necessary:

"The current Xbox 360 and Xbox One will have Internet Explorer available. If you host clients at your home, use the power of IE and the size of your TV to showcase your new redesigned website, or snap IE to the side while using SkyDrive to present sketches you're working on. Because Internet Explorer has access to the Office Web Apps, pair that with a Wi-Fi keyboard and mouse and you have the means to edit documents, when necessary, even if you aren't near your PC."

While this is an intriguing idea for the Xbox One, many gamers may not take well to Microsoft's interests outside of games. After all, earlier it was revealed that the system and it's dashboard were made with advertising in mind, so gamers are getting increasingly shoved out of the picture with the Xbox One.