Windows 8.1 Coming in June: Xbox 720 Theme?

Windows Blue, the upgrade suspected for the company's new OS, is called Windows 8.1, according to ZDNet. If you're itching to update your system, The Verge reports that the update will be released in its first public preview in June as a part of the Build Developer Conference.

[iGAM3R-VIII]

hmmm, new windows software (new Xbox software?), released in June (the same month as E3). This could be related to the new Xbox system

"The company plans on discussing Blue, as well as Xbox"

Well then I think this must be related to the new Xbox maybe, the Xbox them could be a blue instead of a green, damn you E3, why couldn't you be earlier

[aceitman]

if they use a os like windows on the 720 it will not have a lot of ram to run games on it so I hope its not true . it will literally be like a low to mid end pc .

[Knight_Crawler]

I guess you have not heard about the Surface Pro

If MS can cram all that goodness in something as small and thin as a Pad then I am pretty sure they can put a full blown OS in the NextBox console and make it play games flawlessly while having a full blown OS...also rumors are going around about the Zebra Box having two APU's so this will help with the OS.

MS has grown in the hardware department and I have a feeling we are going to be shocked and then awed when the 720 is released in both the software and the hardware.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

@Knight_Crawler

What does the physical size of a device have to do with the OS?

[Kevin ButIer]

Actually metro design could be a very good option for 720. I like how it works for phones. Also this would contribute to the whole MS ecosystem experience. Seamless integration with pc, tablet and Windows Phone.

[rainslacker]

Windows 8 is scalable to many different devices(PC, Phone, Tablet, consoles, etc), and if it were to be put on Xbox, it wouldn't be a bloated PC version of Windows 8. Windows 8 isn't really a resource hog as it is, and a refined version could work quite well on a console, particularly with Kinect.

I think currently my version of Windows 8 uses around 1.2 GB of memory with quite a few development services turned on. A console version would likely be half that since most of the services aren't needed on a console, or they'd be integrated differently to minimize RAM usage. Most PC services are helpers due to hardware differences or to run things that probably won't be available on the Xbox.

[nukeitall]

@rainslacker:

Windows Phone runs on much lower hardware and is faster than competing operating systems like Android or even iPhone.

Windows Phone never really touts specs as the selling point like other platforms. To get a decent experience out of Android you have to get a relatively high specced phone, compared to WP.

Even gaming experience on the same game ported over to WP on lower spec machine has better experience.

I think that tells you a lot.

"A console version would likely be half that since most of the services aren't needed on a console, or they'd be integrated differently to minimize RAM usage. Most PC services are helpers due to hardware differences or to run things that probably won't be available on the Xbox."

People really have forgotten that MS Xbox 360 OS runs on a constrained 32MB foot print. Compared that to the competition like PS3 that started at 120 MB, then dwindled it down to still 50MB. That's still over 50% more than the Xbox 360 and yet, no cross game chat.

Xbox 360 is able to hot patch games on the fly, no need to restart games or wait for lengthy updates. PS3 still doesn't have that, and instead ended up with a simple batch update system.

http://www.dailytech.com/So...

Sony has their strengths like hardware, but MS excels at OS. I wouldn't count them out based on rumors. Look at what they have done, not what naysayers think they will do!

[princejb134]

I disagree, they can still run a lot of ram into it
The windows 8 OS doesn't need much to run it
But I rather keep the current Xbox UI
Windows 8 is so ugly to look at

[Godmars290]

Why would MS introduce a PC update now that interacts with a console they likely wont release for four or more months?

Nevermind imposing general interface changes which would only be of benefit to a few. That sort of thing sounds like it would drive people away from using the OS.

[Knightofelemia]

I don't see why not or something close to Windows 8 for a Xbox 720 user interface. I think it would look awsome hope they make it so I can do something with my Windows 8 phone.

[GraveLord]

Windows OS is a memory hog. Having that on a console would be a mistake IMO. Best to create an original OS that is suited for a controller.

The only way I can see Windows 8 OS working on an Xbox is if they use Kinect to nagivage it. That would get tiresome.

@vega275
You know the absence of the start menu is irrelevant. It doesn't take away from the experience in any way. Sure it looks weird at first but you get used to it. The OS isn't any less functional. Now you're able to quickly search for applications and files by bringing up the Charms menu.

[Knightofelemia]

Who says Microsoft would have use Kinnect to navigate a Windows 8 user interface on the Xbox 720. They could use the same touch techology the Vita uses to navigate a Windows 8 user interface. No one will know until Microsoft jumps out of the bush and says surprise we just announced the Xbox 720 and here is what it has at E3.

[Jek_Porkins]

They could use a Lite version, and without a need to run virus protection ect... It wouldn't use a lot of resources. In fact it would be awesome and stable.

[vega275]

i just hope that add a damn start menu. i hate the metro box look. but if they add a start menu i will overlook it and buy it.

[aviator189]

the start screen is basically a full screen start menu with much more space to pin stuff- pretty much anything you want.
if you look at it that way, you should have no trouble adjusting to windows 8.

[QuantumWake]

I remember being part of the Xbox 360 dashboard beta (I believe it was the most recent one) and some people came up with some great mock-ups on the dashboard looks. In fact they were a lot better than what MS had given us. Such as choosing the color of tiles and re-arranging them to how we see fit. Just like you can on Widows 8.

Here's a pretty good example:

http://img.photobucket.com/...

There were some other REALLY good ones. But I forgot to bookmark them. :(

[imsocool1234]

A fancy user interface isn't going to stop Xbox's imminent doom.

[LAWSON72]

If so more reason to not buy the 720 because I have had windows 8 for 70 days and it is just terrible.