Will Microsoft Lure Cable Giants to Xbox One Before PlayStation 4 and Apple TV?

Xbox One will retail for $499 -- $400 more than an Apple TV. Why should consumers who don't care about gaming pay such a high price for an entertainment device?

Microsoft began to provide an answer when it announced that it had signed an unexpectedly large deal with Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC). For the first time ever, Time Warner Cable subscribers will be able to stream 300 live channels through an Xbox 360.

[MariaHelFutura]

Playstation will lure game developers w/ specs and sales before ever even considering TV. It's not like they ps4 couldn't do TV, they just don't want to cause it's stupid.

[Pope_Kaz_Hirai_II]

A bubble for you MariaHelfutura , one of the few people who talks sense and doesnt spout rubbish or spam like jokes-foxgod-georgenoob-greenp owerz.

[buddymagoo]

Well considering Sony Pictures is one of the biggest movie studios and Sony create quite a few top TV series including Breaking Bad & community. Also Sony supply quite a lot of studios with their camera's as well as sports stations around the world.

So I think Sony have hold the better cards in regards to TV.

[joeorc]

"Playstation will lure game developers w/ specs and sales before ever even considering TV. It's not like they ps4 couldn't do TV, they just don't want to cause it's stupid."

well its not really that stupid Per se, but i think Microsoft may be in for a real uphill battle in that arena, the smart TV will be @ the very large and market share advantage over Apple and anyone else trying to put a top set box as its main functionality to best the smart TV in an area where the smart TV has the advantage because with a smart TV you already have most of that functionality already built right into the TV.

Samsung for example back in 2012 CES

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

Now of course it comes down to software maturity, but Samsung is pefecting their software for their smart TV's like Microsoft is doing for their xboxone.

I really think Sony and Nintendo is concentrating on where the strength of the game console come's in where the game topset box is looking to use 2nd screen and trying not to make the topset box competeing on the smart tv screen's dictating what the terms of the contest is, and instead making the contest for the living room based on what a games console does best and that is gaming.

its not just your Money but Time spent and your family's time spent. That is what all three game console companies that make a game console are trying to do, make their console the most used entertainment device under your TV. the Problem for Microsoft i can see over what Nintendo and Sony are doing, is Microsoft is trying to beat a smart TV in usage functionality over what a smart TV already does quite well already. Its good for Microsoft to try this, but on the same token i think with all the smart TV companies making smart TV's they really have a very large hurdle to overcome.

[nukeitall]

@MariaHelFutura:

lol! what?

The PS4 doesn't have the hardware for HDMI in which means the Xbox One has a feature the PS4 can never get. So no, the PS4 can't do TV the way Xbox One does. PS4 is relegated to IPTV only.

Have you all forgotten how Sony was all about TV with blu-ray?

Most people aren't "just gamers" that don't consume other media like you and poop hirai.

I'm going to love watching TV while gaming or waiting for a matchmaking match.

@joeorc:

MS approach is more than just a crappy SmartTV. It is about interactive TV, not very slow and low quality experience with SmartTV.

The problem with most of the SmartTVs are the interface is horrible, the interaction is slow as heck, the result is often times low quality (Netflix video quality is terrible) and it isn't interactive.

MS got the right approach with Kinect and voice control, with easy, fast and fluid interaction.

[macusa22]

Lets be real man, are you going to try and watch tv while you in the middle of a game! Microsoft need to get rid of the cable box and they didn't. Why do I want 2 cable boxes that does the same thing.....I will just stick with these new smart tv and rumor is the new Apple TV is going to change the TV experence

[joeorc]

"MS approach is more than just a crappy SmartTV. It is about interactive TV, not very slow and low quality experience with SmartTV"

when was the last time you used a smart TV?

Because they are far from slow and low quality.

another thing, while i said its good that microsoft is concentrating on TV interface for the xboxone, both Nintendo and Sony has taken the 2nd screen technology and are moving it forward.

So like Microsoft does with HDMI IN/OUT sony and Nintendo both have dedicated hardware inside their systems that Microsoft cannot do without a redesign also. so it works not only both ways that all three have something in their hardware that the other systems do not have but also which bring's me to may next point.

Many of the same people going and Saying Microsoft is being very innovative for all in one entertainment box lambasted Sony on what the PS3 was as an all in one entertainment box.

calling out other's for hypocrisy works both ways. Not saying you are , im saying other's for lambasting Sony doing with the PS3 and that Microsoft are doing with the xboxone this generation people are being very cross on each side, but are really not looking at this as a net + because all three are concentrating on strengths for each platform, now how those strengths pan out well we will not know.

[sweendog]

I will also enjoy playing games and watching tv but with the addition of a spare $100 in my back pocket. I bet i can press source on my remote faster than you can wave your arms around

[meatnormous]

Ps4 might have RVU tech built in. Basically you can have Direct Tv and have the PS4 act like a client on a system with a hr34 or hr44. It will be able to pull in all programming off those media server boxes. I know that is with only one provider, but Direct tv is the worlds largest provider. Please follow this link to see what I am talking about. http://www.rvualliance.org/... . Some devices have it built in already.

[Gamerchik87]

I agree! The netflix app on my samsung blu ray player and tv are plagued with bugs the UI is horrible and slow while the 360 runs and looks alot better the k2 will just make this experience better

[nukeitall]

@macusa22:

While waiting for a matchmaking online, I would love to watch TV or play a single player game while I wait.

I could also keep tabs on the score or happening of a sports game while playing games.

There is plenty of uses for multitasking!

@joeorc:

What second screen experience are you talking about?

MS has SmartGlass and it has been downloaded more than 17 million times. It exist on iOS, Android, Windows Phone and Windows. If anything, it seems MS is leading this.

However, that is hardly the same seamless experience.

"when was the last time you used a smart TV?"

I just bought a TV about 3-4 months ago, and was looking at SmartTVs, but all of them had pretty subpar experience. Heck, the salesman recommended me an AppleTV thing. I just ended using my Xbox 360 and buying an Apple TV thing for work.

"Many of the same people going and Saying Microsoft is being very innovative for all in one entertainment box lambasted Sony on what the PS3 was as an all in one entertainment box."

PS3 might have been a hardware engineering feat, but from a user standpoint there was hardly anything innovative about it. Blu-Ray? pft, HD-DVD works the same. What else is there to discuss?

@meatnormous:

RVU is still in it's infancy in terms of adoption despite being ratified back in 2009. The number of units certified as you have shown are handful or two. That said, the RVU protocol is nothing "tech built in", it is literally just software interfacing with your network port. Just about anything with processing power, a network port and connection to TV can take advantage of this with software.

However, DLNA never really took off, and RVU is just built on

@sweendog:

Good for you!

However, I don't have to lift a finger and just have to speak it probably faster than you can find your remote. In addition, switching back and forth might mean you don't know when the game started staying idle and get booted out of the game!

Worse you get down rated by your teammates. Enjoy being matched with trolls next time!

@Gamerchik87:

Netflix (or similar apps) on external devices like AppleTV, Xbox 360, PS3 and PC is consistently superior. SmartTV are terrible and serves to increase input lag.

Yup, that is why I ended up buying a non SmartTV!

[cee773]

@nuke

what does bluray have to do with cable tv?
while your at it why not compare dvd to it as well lol

Xbox 360 has no hdmi in yet it managed to become A cable box.

Wii U was the first to have HDMI in but its the best thing since sliced bread because microsoft added it right?

More people drop cable on A daily basis just off neflix and youtube alone. While xbmc is steadily gaining ground we can all watch live tv on tablets,phones,PC's, and android mini PC's for free might I add.

This cable on A console is nothing more than A gimmick to most were in A multitasking era where our smart devices have been able to do and excel in every department microsoft is trying to conquer there A gen too late with the cable crap

while I'll give it to microsoft for making deals with TWC(Time Warner Cable) because now it appears they removed the caps all of A sudden because it keeps customers.

But imo cable is crap theres never anything on you just pay $100+ dollars A month for reruns and old movies lol now if they transitioned everything to the internet tahts A different story

I guess XBMC will continue to show these multibillion dollar corps how its done

[SpinalRemains138]

My Netflix has flawless video quality. Always HD and smooth.

Am I misunderstanding you, in that you're saying that smart tvs have slow access and a subsequent poor stream quality?

I use Netflix on PS and I love it. 4 years ago the video quality left a lot to be desired, but about 3 years ago they must have upgraded their servers because all the streams are super crisp.

[nukeitall]

@SpinalRemains138:

I can't say if it is the software or the hardware (i.e. the chip) on the SmartTV, but the video has more artifacts than on my crystal clear Xbox 360.

[MariaHelFutura]

The PS3 was a media hub.

'It only does everything' remember?

So, welcome to 2006 (aside from the power bricks and AA batteries).

[Thomper]

What's the problem with batteries??

When my ps4 controller dies, I either have to charge it, or plug in the short cable. When my 360 dies, I switch to either the play and charge pack, or slap a couple of duracells in.

I think it is convenient, and gives me choice

[Furi17]

What if you buy a larger cable one time instead of tons of batteries the rest of your life? Think about it.

[P_Bomb]

@Thomper
The problem is playing a game and having a 'controller disconnected' message pop up constantly cuz the rumble in the controller shook the battery off the connector. I've had to disable rumble on both my 360 controllers at times on ME3.

I also refuse to spend more money on extra peripherals like a charge pack and stockpiles of Duracells that clutter when a simple free USB cord should suffice. I plug in my phone, laptop, camera, dualshocks, blutooth etc. I'll only break out the dusty AA's and tolerate rumble disconnects for exclusives like Forza Horizon, which I just downloaded for a sweet $14.99.

[Nathaniel_Drake]

A huge thing Sony has on its side are Sony television, and Sony movie studios.

[Thomper]

That could be a disadvantage. Microsoft are impartial in that respect, so have no interests to protect.

Says that I have the Sony trailers app on 360.... Which is....errr... Crap, actually

[EXVirtual]

Thank you. You got dislike from Xbox fanboys I think. A lot of em have come recently, especially after they took out the DRM. Like I've said before, in 2-3 years the XB1 is just gonna get less games and/or some seriously watered down multiplats and Japanese devs especially will ditch it.

[warewolfSS]

Thank you n4g analyst for your non biased gamer opinion

[Cuzzo63]

Really? Who cares!. We want games not cable. Gamers want games. Wats the point of running cable thru the system for a new interface all all this gimmicky stuff. I got basic cable. With Netflix and Redbox im watching all the movies thats on cable before it hits cable. I got the news. If I want politics or sports thats where google comes in at. I mean its just a push of a.... BUTTON!. Are we really that lazy that they come up with stuff like this and the fanboys eat it up like its a revolution. Will it materialize a cure for cancer and create a unlimited energy source? They should throw in a toaster add on peripheral also... Cable n pop tarts is one hellava combo.

[rainslacker]

I don't think it's stupid to have added services. I wonder at the reasoning for MS paying for such a service though. Since this is live TV streams, seems the cable companies would welcome the chance to increase their viewership since they make money off ad revenue. OTOH, I know Time Warner will jump at any chance to make millions of dollars.

Otherwise it could possibly render the pass through HDMI overlay interface a redundant feature, as it could now all be handled directly on the Xbox, and conceivably the PS4, and likely the Wii U.

[Pope_Kaz_Hirai_II]

Most of this wont come to europe and come to think of it you can get apple tv and a ps4 for 500 so which you think is better?

[nick309]

You do know not the whole world is based in eu and us right? Where i live ps4& X1 cost the same.... A 1000$ each, sony and ms do nothing for outside eu and us. Cant even rent shows, and such.

[oscarcat59]

First valid complaint I have seen on here.

[YNWA96]

That is not a nice thing to say about Sony, they honestly care about your situation.

[The Meerkat]

Why would anyone want Apple TV?

I'd rather have an Amiga CD32.

[mcstorm]

Now hang on there everyone should have an Amiga 32 it was an amazing console and I sill have mine lol. I go agree I don't see the point in Apple TV but I do think what Microsoft are doing in terms of TV is a good way of doing it.

They are not trying to take on the big names in terms of having there own channels but they are getting the big Names like Sky ect on board with them to help make the TV experience better and less complex. I have not used a one yet so I cant say it will be less complex but it looks it from what I have seen.

Also People on here have seemed to forget Sony made PlayTV for the PS3 which was a great idea at the time and worked well to.

[Bennibop]

Play tv 2 will turn up at some point. Again Sony will make it an opt in rather than forcing it down your neck.

[jaredhart]

They will because microsoft has a lot of influence and money. Their influence is more potent in the US. But, this will be primarily in the US.

[Cuzzo63]

Well we saw how they tried to influence DRM. I guess their money wasn't enough

[Grown Folks Talk]

Gamers don't watch tv... allegedly.

[YNWA96]

Gamers dont't play games either, they just come here and whine about who has the bigger terraflop.

[Grown Folks Talk]

True. I think my Atari 2600 had 1 milobyte of ram.

[YNWA96]

Impressive, they made games that kept you hooked for hours back then.... remember having ZX48k, and people with Commodore 64 bragged about an extra 16k!

[Zichu]

I don't usually watch live TV anyway. I prefer to record my favorite series and watch them when I am not gaming. Either that or I watch it on demand.

This way I can spend my evenings playing games while my shows are being recorded and watch them early in the morning when I am not playing games.

[warewolfSS]

Busy life

[pkb79]

I'm a gamer and I love good tv. Have all my shows recorded though so I can skip the ads. And I don't find using the remote to switch inputs that big of a chore.

[MysticStrummer]

"Gamers don't watch tv... allegedly."

I know I don't. I used to have cable and satellite TV at different times of my life, but I haven't had either one for about five years and I don't miss TV at all.

Older people in general, middle aged and up, still watch a lot of traditional TV. Younger people do not.

TV as we know it is slowly dying.

http://www.forbes.com/sites...

http://www.medialifemagazin...

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1...

What this means for PS4 and One is : Connecting a cable box to your console is antiquated, not futuristic.

[Grown Folks Talk]

I just want a dedicated Cox app like the Time Warner one so I can watch cable in the bedroom. My apartment only has the 1 outlet in the living room. Plus my wife could watch in there when i'm dominating the living room TVs for college football.

[cee773]

Gamers dont watch tv, they watch xbmc lol see the irony?

[Ashlen]

My biggest concern is internet throttling. ISP's like TWC are notorious for throttling there competition. They have throttled Youtube Twitch Netflix and other sites that compete with there cable business.

[Jarhead1776]

I don't have cable nor do I plan to get it. I do like gaming though. As a current Xbox360 owner I have preordered the PS4. These tv features mean nothing to me.
It just occurred to me, why distract gamers with all of this tv crap, instead M$ needs to focus on games to sell games for gamers. I think the Xbox had the highest software attach rate this gen, will that continue?

[Grown Folks Talk]

Entire E3 was games, & they still have many unannounced. Of course in light of many articles & comments since, nobody actually paid attention to their conference.

[warewolfSS]

I hate to point out that anyone who writes m$ in their comment history, probably never owned a Xbox in their life.

[jessupj]

You don't need an xbox to to see the blatantly obvious thing they prioritise well above all else.

[Ashlen]

Oops double post comment removed

[kingPoS]

Such a shame our US cable companies won't let something like Torne or Play TV come state side. It's not the tech that's at fault, it's the way it has to be implemented - in the US

It's why most US cable tv users are forever stuck leasing cable boxes. What ever happened to just plugging the coaxial straight in the TV. Go on ahead and ask why the Xbox One can't act as DVR for TV on it's own.

Long live the cable card.

[hazardman]

Cable cards suck dude. Got it from comcast for my tv and i couldnt get on demand programming or ppv.

[kingPoS]

It's intentional, they want you to lease their boxes instead of bypassing their fees left and right.

[insertnamehurr]

It looks like xbox fans are taking over this article with massive dislikes and comments.

[Godmars290]

MS likely has US cable companies wrapped up in regards to support over anything Sony does. Then again Sony have their own TV and movie studios.

Elsewhere cable isn't as disjointed, there's public access and Sony has Torne and PlayTV, so its not going be vital that Sony has exclusive deals.

[kingPoS]

I may not watch cable tv. But at the same time I can't wait to see an evolved Torne & Play TV on the PS4.

I've seen out of control cable bills before. - not pretty

[Godmars290]

Given that we can't use things like Torne or Play TV in the US - "Thank you" US cable companies -__- - I want to see Sony get more apps. Hear about a browser for the PS4.

Worse still is that given that the PS4 could have been made out-the-box compatible with EU and Japanese cable services, given its connection set up it either isn't or will require add ons.

[kewlkat007]

There is a lot going on in the world of set-top-box media entertainment.

I currently have connected to my HDTV(Not smart)

-Slingbox
-Tivo HD DVR
-WiiU
-Xbox360
-PS3
-Google TV(logitech)
-HTPC(17 TB of personal media)

Here in the states there is battle going on as the go to device that does it all. If you do not create the right hardware that takes advantage of all types of Media then you will be left out. I applaud MS for looking to the future of media besides just gaming. I hear APPLE is also working on some Tv of some sort.

The thing is, Cable industries still have all the power. If there is nothing in it for them through advertisements, deals and contracts then they make it much harder for other manufacturers that create devices/peripherals to offer the right media to its buyers.

Google has been trying, Apple will get into it soon, now MS is taking a stab at it too. Consoles need to do more then just games these days to allow for different revenue streams. Ms does have the money to make deals.

[YNWA96]

That setup is close to my own, only reason not more is because I have no space for audio or video on my audio receiver... if X1 can do alot of this for me, it would be great... so, there is 2 kinds of consumers, those who play games and not much else, and those who have an entertainment setup with a lot of other devices. I want the X1 because it can potentially make my life a lot easier, and get this, it also plays games! So, to all those who complain about the other stuff a console can do, go buy a N64 or something and stop complaining about the rest of us that like other things, gaming included... Its the height of selfishness to expect MS or whoever else to make something only for them....

[jb227]

Apple got the same deal Microsoft did with time Warner, and they will probably get even more, being that the attach rate for apple tv will probably be much higher than that of the 'one'....to me, gamers who want diversity are better served with the ps4

[pkb79]

I thought more people where dropping overpriced cable subscriptions in favor of streaming tv?

[Godmars290]

They were. Or at least I am.

MS has jut made it a point to latch onto the old, outdated model more for their benefit rather than the consumers.

[Grown Folks Talk]

Interesting given so many complained for them to keep the old model of gaming. Society has grown to accept digital/streaming models in everything else.

[Godmars290]

Talking about cable TV. Not gaming.

In regards to gaming, consoles were originally intended as a means for cheap/easy access to gaming for the general consumer market. With the 360 and PS3 - one generation - though consoles moved towards being reliant on internet support, what MS originally had in mind with the XB1 would have directly excluded non-internet users. Still does, but even more to the point it invalidates the existence or need for consoles.

For all real purposes the XB1 should have just been a media centric but capable/functional PC. Would have been more useful as well.

[rainslacker]

Nowadays cable is really expensive for the most part in the US. There are 3 shows that I watch regularly, and for the price of 1 month of cable I can just wait till the end of the season and buy all three season box sets on DVD cheaper. Netflix and Amazon Prime fill in the rest.

If my roommate didn't pay for cable, then I wouldn't have it at all. Plenty of cheaper alternative choices out there for those willing and able to look for it.

[Foxgod]

If they introduce these cable services in the Netherlands, and the price and quality are right, i might actually ditch my tv provider for it.

But it all depends on what they offer.

[rainslacker]

Given that it's Time Warner, and I understand this is US, I'd expect it'd be a paid service. I can't imagine TW, or any cable provider, to give out their service for free like that.

I have cable through AT&T, a company I hate with a passion, but the quality of service is actually really good for TVoIP, which isn't exactly what MS is getting from what I can tell.

It may be a service similar to HBO Go, where it's free if you're a Time Warner customer, but for Live TV.

I'm sure details will come out eventually. I doubt it would replace most people's cable boxes.

[FightFans]

Like Sony has mentioned before, games first before everything else coming in second. I'm pretty sure ps4 can do things like the xbone except better.

[Thomper]

Not without HDMI in....

I wonder if I can plug in my Sony sports & HD camcorders in to it....hmmmmm?

[sevilha82]

Let them have it,i honestly don´t care.having movies and series are a good plus(no pun intended)but i wanna get home from a hard day´s work open myself a cold one and destroy 4 hours or so with my friends playing Destiny not watch tv.
i have a pc /tv for that.
That´s why we are called gamers not tv'ers.
the servcies will be available but will not be a main prioroty ,not for me anyways.
Game on,really hopping for a early October realease.

[kewlkat007]

Yes at one point we only used mobile cell phones to only make calls...funny how things advance beyond that..

If technology never progressed past what their initial purpose was, there would be no advancement.

[sevilha82]

Dude,i didn´t said it was a bad thing,it´s something that i will not use.

For example,Netlflix is not even suported in my contry(as 90% of the others apps that will apear)

if a cable company get some kind of contract with the consoles i will have to pay for it,and i dont want to because i already have cable and it´s expensive(if your parents give all to you and you dont know what life costs enjoy it it will end eventualy)

And agreing with you about evolution and progress,consoles should evolve and they are evolving.
In games that´s what i want them to evolve,they can evolve in media features too that´s cool i just won´t consider them prioratory.

[kewlkat007]

I get you..

[jXales]

i would love if the ps4 could do tv, i just wouldnt want to have to pay extra for it as its not that important for me and i would be pretty annoyed if i still had to have the cable box. itd be like wasting money to be able to change channels with waving my hand....

No thk u

[demonicale666]

It's a games console and that's all that intrest's me.

[pyramidshead]

You kinda think they'd be already on top of this seeing as half of the features on the Xbone are to do with TV.

[S2Killinit]

nobody cares about TV. besides, the tv 'capabilities' will be copies (already are) by every developer from the tv makers themselves to the cable/satellite tv companies. So no, it doesn't' matter.

[mananimal]

Cable Giants...???......who cares??....I Dont care. I want to Play Games.....PS4 will have the games I want to play.

[jb227]

I believe the poster spoke too soon, as new broke yesterday that time Warner also has a deal with apple tv, that box that happens to do everything the one does (everything that matters anyway) for 400$ cheaper

[Gamerchik87]

Most of the sony fan base are just kids or people outside the us who want nothing more than to downplay M.S an American company on all the features x1 offers. Its clear ps4 is JUST a gaming console like N64 and its clear x1 is a Windows pc for your tv and its clear x1 does way more out of the box than ps4. Its so dumb the ponies complain about features that make life EASIER. And this argument about......well im a gamer I just want to play games?? That is like saying smartphones dont need nerflix, Internet, camera etc.
....I just want a phone to to communicate thats it??? Lol

[Funantic1]

MS knows knows nobody wants a bunch of devices under their TV. That looks junky and tacky. I want 1 device to do it all. X1 does everything. Remember the PS3 slogan "It Only Does Everything"? Now that should be X1's slogan.

[Sadist3]

Exactly. I don't know if most of the people who comment are children, but I don't want a console that only plays games. That's like having a smartphone with no added features. I want a next gen console, something that brings new features to the table. I do want an all in one box that lets me play games, watch tv, music, movies, Internet, etc., because at my age I do more for entertainment than just game. I don't know adults who just play games and that's it, we want more out of a gaming box. This is the future now, I don't want to pay X amount of $ for a console that just plays games. This isn't 1994 anymore, it's time to evolve

[Mac420]

Funny you say that considering Xbox has the younger consumer base. I am a current Time Warner customer and a owner of a 360 an owned a original Xbox. I dealt with all the negatives that came from MS last gen. Im sorry but I just don't see how anybody in there right mind could think going with Xbox this gen is even worth your money. MS already through half there consumers under the bus with the originally planned policies, now they switch it an everybody loves them( Like a cheating wife, never to be trusted again). Half the features that they showed off won't work in any country besides the US so how do you think people outside the States feel. Just shows how ignorant Americans really are just by reading half if not most of the comments were people try to defend MS like its there job. I am no fan boy to 1 company or another I am just an informed consumer. An the kid that tried to compare Smartglass to the Wii U or Ps4 controller is an idiot . Smartglass is on an entirely different device so it takes you away from your game ,does far from pull you into the experience more. You sir are an idiot !! An half he cool features on Smartglass are left out of Droid an iOS versions, to get you to buy into there Windows phone which is a failed attempt at gettin into the cell phone Industry. An last but not , Sony Pictures , nuff said there