Xbox and Home windows have at all times been siblings underneath the Microsoft company umbrella. However just lately they’ve gotten so much nearer, with the Xbox Recreation Move that includes tons of PC video games and the Asus ROG Xbox Ally—a Home windows-powered machine—getting that official Xbox branding. However what’s the following step? Adam requested former Xbox workforce member Mike Danseglio on the most recent PCWorld YouTube video.
To be extra particular, Xbox consoles are usually working some form of Home windows software program as a base, however with so many layers, optimizations, and interface modifications that it’s unimaginable to inform from a consumer perspective. And crucially, an Xbox solely runs Xbox video games—you’ll be able to’t load up printed PC video games or different Home windows software program on the console.
Mike thinks a customizable Xbox console, working Home windows with an Xbox interface and with some customized {hardware} choices, would make extra sense now. Let Xbox be the interface, not the closed-down console. Microsoft has already been leaning this fashion with its “That is an Xbox” marketing campaign. You’ll be able to nonetheless protect the Xbox expertise whereas permitting superior customers the choice to customise their units.
Is that more likely to occur? In all probability not. Whereas it appears seemingly that Xbox and Home windows will get even nearer within the close to future, merely making Xbox into an alternate “pores and skin” for Home windows might be a bridge too far for the form of firm Microsoft is correct now. I’d like to be fallacious about that. In spite of everything, Microsoft wants an edge within the console market as Sony and Nintendo proceed to dominate.
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