Console Articles

Xbox One vs. PlayStation 4

Ah, now we can finally compare the two. Pretty much. With Microsoft's Xbox One cat out of the bag, at last both it and that other yes-it's-been-announced-but-no-we-don't-know-every-detail console, the PlayStation 4, can be put under our powerful, analytical virtual microscopes.

There are still plenty of unanswered questions on both sides, but that won't stop us from diving headfirst into what we actually do know.

Editors' note (May 23, 12:52 a.m. PT): This story has been extensively updated and expanded since its original publication.

Hardware The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 house very similar silicon … Read more

Supercharged Xbox Live enhances cloud support for Xbox One

The Xbox One was just announced, and with it, Microsoft unveiled a new Xbox Live. The service will include more capabilities, such as Skype and a dedicated game DVR for capturing in-game footage.

The company also said that users can install games in segments so they can play without waiting for the whole program to install; the system will download and install updates in the background.

Xbox Live will feature native editing and sharing tools for editing players' game footage, letting them upload footage to the cloud, though the amount of storage space available has yet to be specified.

Marc … Read more

Xbox One includes improved Kinect sensor

Microsoft's got a brand-new version of its Kinect sensor for the Xbox One, an accessory that is no longer an add-on or pack-in, but a required piece of hardware like the Nintendo Wii light bar.

The new benefit, Microsoft says, is that the console is always listening for commands, from turning the system on, to switching among games, apps, and other Xbox One features. Game developers are also now encouraged to build Kinect features into their games, knowing all players will have the hardware.

Under the hood, Microsoft's using an all-new camera, which captures 1080p video (up from … Read more

Microsoft adds Skype, live TV to Xbox One

Microsoft on Tuesday unveiled Skype and live TV capabilities for its new game console, the Xbox One.

The company is positioning the new Xbox as an all-in-one entertainment system for the home. Along with gaming, which Microsoft has only briefly addressed, the system also will allow users to watch live TV, make group video calls on the TV via Skype, and search the Web.

"This is the beginning of truly intelligent TV," Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of marketing, strategy and business for Microsoft's interactive entertainment business, said at the company's event Tuesday.

One new feature, … Read more

Xbox One controller gets more rumble, design refinements (hands-on)

The newly announced Xbox One is getting a new controller to go with it. It looks a lot like the Xbox 360's controller, but with what Microsoft says are 40 "technical and design innovations" on top of its 8-year-old predecessor.

So what's the big new change? Not the action buttons, directional pad, analog sticks, or triggers -- which are all in the same place. Instead, all these things have been refined. The thumbsticks, for instance, now have textured ridges and are now 25 percent easier to move, which Microsoft says will make long play sessions less … Read more

Microsoft unveils Xbox One

Microsoft on Tuesday unveiled the Xbox One, the newest version of its popular game console.

Don Mattrick, president of Microsoft's interactive entertainment business, said the company wanted to design and build the "ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system."

The Xbox One will be available around the world later this year.

The Xbox One includes games, TV, movies, music, the Web, and apps. It has Skype and live TV capabilities, as well as voice recognition to switch between programs, new gesture recognition, and the ability to operate multiple programs at the same time. And users make group video calls … Read more

Xbox unveiled: Join CNET's live blog Tuesday, 10 a.m. PT

Microsoft is holding its special next-generation Xbox event Tuesday, and you'll be able to get your full dose of the news right here.

The press conference, where Microsoft says it will unveil the next generation of its popular games and entertainment console, kicks off at 10 a.m. Pacific on Tuesday, May 21. CNET's Jay Greene, James Martin, and I will be bringing you the news live from Microsoft's headquarters in Redmond, Wash.

You can tune in to the live blog and pre-show here:

CNET's live coverage of Microsoft's event next Tuesday, May 21

As … Read more

PlayStation 4: What we know so far (video)

Has it really only been eight years since we first clapped eyes on the PlayStation 3? Oh wait, yes, it has. And we've spent several of those long, dark years desperately awaiting a glimpse of some exotic, new gaming hardware from Sony.

The test of endurance is almost at an end, as the much-anticipated PlayStation 4 is due out before the holidays this year.

The PlayStation 4 will go head-to-head with rival gaming gadgets, including the next Xbox and Nintendo's Wii U. With its list of rivals expanding to include Apple and Google, will Sony's new console … Read more

On eve of Xbox reveal, Sony teases PS4 peek for E3

Hey, remember the PlayStation 4? Actually, we never saw it, now, did we? Sony's new teaser trailer for the PS4, however, released minutes ago, gives us a decent dose of blurry silhouette and fast-cut shots of what look like details.

The Sony press conference is on June 10 at 6 p.m. PT at E3 in Los Angeles, which is where more details should be spilled -- as opposed to the February PS4 preview event, which was mainly conversations and promises about features. … Read more

Nvidia Shield preorder date moves up, starts today

Preorders for Nvidia's Shield will begin today, May 17, at Newegg, GameStop, and Canada Computer. Preorders are also available on Nvidia's Shield site.

Earlier this week, Nvidia announced that preorders for Shield at the aforementioned retailers would begin on Monday, May 20, but now cites "growing buzz" as its reason for making the portable console available sooner.

The Nvidia Shield is an Android-based portable gaming console using the company's Tegra 4 processor. The device is scheduled to ship in June. You can check out my hands-on impressions here.