Report: Next Xbox console will support Windows 8

Microsoft GM Brian Hall revealed in a verbal slip that the next generation of Xbox, which some claim has been codenamed Durango, will support Windows 8.

[bintarok]

Very shurrre-prising report. Captain obvious has just smacked sargeant curious in the face with a brick.

[under taker 34]

If the next xbox is a Console/PC hybrid, Nintendo and Sony will be screwed. making operating systems are not what either company dose.

Xbox 720's expansion of games would double, that is if the OS is able to boot PC games. if so then the next xbox won't necessarily need to venture in to new ideas to stay in the console race.

[kent80082007]

I don't want to watch porn on the same machine I play games on in the living room tv, so no thank you

[under taker 34]

@ DeadlyFire

so what you're saying is the xbox 720 will have backwards compatibility. even still, Nintendo and Sony would be screwed in that sense too. the Wii-U won't have it and the ps4 would be expensive if had it as well.

"A PC game is never going to go away from the PC unless its in a cloud service."

I'm not saying "go away", it's not be exclusive to PCs.

"Its pretty obvious that Sony already has decided to either side with Linux or Chrome OS if this happens.

So wtf do ya need an OS on a console for really anyway? Web browsing, photo tweaking, file management, and umm.... games? "

In that sense an OS to Sony and Nintendo would be useless, as both OS's have very little to offer. whereas windows can boot all sorts of games and programs.

It's a theory of mine, not something that i stand 100 percent by, but It's Microsoft's call since it's their OS.

[Gamerpeanuts]

kent80082007...watching porn on the console is your choice...not the xbox's...or is it =D

[Dms2012]

I am sure that Smartglass will play a large role as an input device for a fully functioning OS. The ability to boot PC games would be sweet, but I don't see that happening. I am still confused as to why Microsoft has totally ignored a market in the hundreds of millions with Games for Windows, seems they have missed a huge opportunity in that.

[nukeitall]

I have a feeling it will really be compatible with WinRT with the metro interface, not full Windows 8.

This means the Xbox can share a lot of the Metro style apps.

Anyhow, either way it is pretty damn awesome. I want Windows on my console, because it is so instant now.

[ChronoJoe]

Microsoft don't make money from the sale of PC games though like they do their licensed console games, so there's not much incentive for them to open up the platform to existing PC games.

Also if it did just run windows 8 in the same manner as on a desktop as you envision, all you would have would be a windows 8 machine. It wouldn't be a games console, it'd be a PC. Different market. It would be difficult to market what would essentially be a windows PC to console consumers.

The only reason I would imagine them doing that is if they wanted to boost Windows 8 installations but slack off on developing games themselves. Basically cannibalizing their games division for the sake of win 8.

---

I don't think that's happening of course. Just explaining why this being more like a PC could be bad.

I imagine it won't be too different to our current consoles, just running a heavily restricted version of windows 8. It'll be more about producing a universal interface across their platforms than them being functionally the same.

[SilentNegotiator]

Just like all of the other computer/console hybrids "screwed" the other consoles.

Oh wait...

[shutUpAndTakeMyMoney]

full integration is upon us..

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

720 will be a true cross platform console.

[DeadlyFire]

I think you have it backwards under taker 34. Next Xbox will not be the hybrid. Windows 8 will be the hybrid. Allowed to boot Xbox games. As most are ports anyway. A PC game is never going to go away from the PC unless its in a cloud service.

Its pretty obvious that Sony already has decided to either side with Linux or Chrome OS if this happens.

So wtf do ya need an OS on a console for really anyway? Web browsing, photo tweaking, file management, and umm.... games?

[JBSleek]

Games are the primary function of these machines anymore. And making a video game centric machine in 2013-2014 seems like an unintelligent mood and they are going to be all in one media devices that so happen to play games.

I doubt Sony picks Linux or Chrome OS actually and use their own in house UI.

[Dms2012]

Sorry, but I would not buy a cell phone that only makes calls, nor would I purchase a console that only runs games. What happened to "It only does everything"? Or is this just a convenient argument when the Xbox is involved?

[DeadlyFire]

Well I have only ever used my console for games and browsing the web. Both have been done without a central OS.

I am just saying that Microsoft has Windows sure, but others can easily grab a named OS brand to be tweaked to their console name as well if they chose to do so. Developing their own is an idea, but neither have tried to do so yet and Sony threw in Ubuntu support for PS3 almost at launch then took it away later, but ya know its possible with PS4 it wouldn't have any issue throwing it back into it. A Sony version of a Linux OS could also happen. As its all open source.

[Jake1111]

I lost all confidence with Microsoft when I played the first uncharted for PS3. Since then I have sold my PS3 and jumped back on Xbox. Microsoft is doing an amazing job! Keep it up! I will be purchasing the next Xbox as well as their tab and phone. I will also be buying the new VR head set if it performs well that Cameron is developing! CANT WAIT!!

[the worst]

virus and pop ups coming to the xbox 720 watch and see

[user5467007]

What will happen when Windows release Windows 9 in the far far future...will it the nextbox just be updated to support Windows 9 or what ?

[aviator189]

Good question, but I'm sure everything will be fully explained in due time.

[ChunkyLover53]

Probably a simple update.

On topic though, its nice to see Microsoft will be fully supporting Windows in the next Xbox, it makes perfect sense and its something that really should have been there with the original Xbox and certainly the Xbox 360.

[Colts420]

It works with the 360 right now :)I have Win 8.You can start games with it on your console buy games and browse all your stuff on Win 8 cant wait for the retail version to come out.

[r1sh12]

yeah, It does seem like MS are taking the whole entertainment in the living room quite seriously.
They have a very decent media player with a good range of apps currently,
If true getting windows onto the next xbox means you can do even more from the comfort of the Sofa/Couch.
Although if its about making the platforms identical then its probably embedded functionality.
Although it would be pretty nice to have windows added to the next Xbox

[GillHarrison]

Game piracy is bad enough already, allowing a full OS on a console? Never going to happen again.

[3GenGames]

PS3 had Ubuntu on it years ago.

[r1sh12]

not anymore

[3GenGames]

Doees that mean it's not possible to get it on there? No. It's still a fact it had it on it.

[r1sh12]

Its possible to get it on a ps3, but you need a ps3 with a very old firmware.
Then you can still install it, but updating it will stop other O.S.
If you are on a newer firmware then the firmware has to be cracked and a custom firmware must be installed.

[SandWitch]

...

[saladthieves]

...and you're sure of this because?

[SandWitch]

Because Win 8 will slow down X720's performance. A true PC OS is too big for a console.

It may have a similar-design OS, but not Windows 8 for sure.

[joeorc]

" A true PC OS is too big for a console. "

That's not true at all, as a matter of fact that is a myth that is not ony Busted, but busted wide open! Hell if Sony wanted it could have ran a full Desktop PC OS right on the PSVita...and it would indeed run pretty d@rn fast i might add.

If you want to see, see for your self!

Ubuntu on Android!

"In every dual-core
phone, there’s
a PC trying
to get out."

The full PC desktop for multi-core Android phones

Hardware requirements

.Dual-core 1GHz CPU
.Video acceleration: shared kernel driver with .associated X driver; Open GL, ES/EGL
.Storage: 2GB for OS disk image
.HDMI: video out with secondary frame buffer device
.USB host mode
.512 MB RAM

http://www.ubuntu.com/devic...

[SandWitch]

I have no doubt it could run on console very very fast, but games would suffer from that because big OS such as Windows 8 would take a lot of resources.

[BitbyDeath]

If it were to happen it'd be a hybrid not the full thing much like how Windows Mobiles are hybrids of it.

[JBSleek]

For clarification for those who don't know what he said for those who don't watch The Verge.

It will have the Windows 8 UI and basic same functionality. By no means does that means the full Windows 8 will rune on the next Xbox. It is just unifying all it's platforms under one UI so consumers can have their phone,console and PC all running the same kernel.

We can already see that basically now on the Xbox as of right now but it will natively be on the next Xbox and be the base of the system.

[fjtorres]

Exactly.
They are misinterpretting what he said.
All the apps he mentioned are accessible via the web so they will be accessible from the *existing* XBOX360 with the next Dashboard update.

[JKelloggs]

Great...

[SpecialK]

Makes sense.

It wont be the same as the desktop version, but the look will be the same with the tiles (happening anyway in the next 360 update) and it'll have a lot in common with the desktop version but it'll be skimmed down.

The next xbox will be past of MS's entire strategic plan. Smartphones, tablets, PCs and console all using the same basic operating system.

It means developers can make an app and it'll port easily to every platform, everything will work together flawlessly.

[DivineAssault]

Thats better than putting out new games!

[ALLWRONG]

It's better than playing Super Smas Bro's and Mario Cart on PS3.

[DivineAssault]

ya it is!

[Tsukuyomi]

i never saw that coming ._. big surprise.

[jjb1981]

Windows 8 is trash

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Ok so to clear the air... the next xbox will use a base OS from Windows 8...but in now way is it going to be running the full Windows 8 OS. It will be stripped of many things that a console user won't need, etc... This all falls in line with MS's vision for a unified platform look and feel.

The big "possible" upside is development of games that could run cross platform. PC & Xbox seems like it would be far easier this go round than this generation. You make a game for Windows 8...you will be making a version for xbox 8 most likely. The real kicker would be if the code can run in either pc or xbox. Heck, Arcade games could be compatible between tablet, phone, xbox & PC.

This is all just speculation though until we know for sure just how much of Windows 8 is getting built into the next xbox.

[sandman224]

Good I hope it's identical to a pc. Also let it be upgradeable if needed for the fuchure so we font need a new console.

[rufusman91]

Consoles being upgradable would destroy the purpose of them existing. They are meant to be easy to use machines.

[capcock]

windows 8 is shit

[shutUpAndTakeMyMoney]

yea and no.. the fails! But the performance is awsome!

[Dorwrath]

Yet again people interpret what was said wrong.

[Tacklebait]

I already have enough reasons to buy one. This would just be a bonus.

[tommygunzII]

So its going to be a cheap PC that you can't upgrade with a smaller library of games? Exciting.

[hellvaguy]

no sir, online gaming on every console is a far superior experience to the pc. consoles are much more cheat code and hack proof than the pc.

as for smaller library, i think ill be ok with the library of around 1,000+ games out currently. if i need more games after that, i'll just go outside.

[WeskerChildReborned]

Umm i think some people were already expecting it too since the rumored name of the next system is Xbox 8.

[Nes_Daze]

Isn't Windows 8 shit? I heard it was..I sure as hell know Vista sucks and 7 is decent.

[BitbyDeath]

Makes sense, the metro look would work well with Kinect.

[abhisheky35]

OBJECTION!

its impossible why will microsoft want to compete with itself.if they give windows 8 on xbox 720 that means it will play both pc games and xbox games but that will degrade the current pc market and will be a curse for all pc manufacturers.

Objection sustained.

[Roccetarius]

Well, Windows 8 is built from a Tablet/Phone/Xbox perspective after all.

I'll stick to Windows 7 untill they come up with something better.

[Moentjers]

Woohoo, McAfee for Xbox !