New Xbox 360 on the way?

360 Rumour | Codenamed Zephyr.

Now that Sony has announced that the HD era has begun with the release of the technological monster that is the PS3, it's time for Microsoft to pull out the big guns. A little while ago, there were murmurings of the possibility of HDMI being added to the 360 via 'leaked' pictures of a 360 motherboard with some extra bits and pieces. Now, according to technology blog Engadget, they've received pictures of Microsoft's first revision to their console, which is apparently codenamed Zephyr.

Recently there was talk of the 65nm processors, which were going to allow both lower production costs and cooler CPUs, being delayed. It appears that this new addition to the Xbox family tree may sport these processors, and also include the aforementioned HDMI port, allowing for full 1080p output. Engadget speculates that the console may also come with a 120GB drive.

No firm news is available on pricing, release dates or even if this model is ever going to see the light of day (although we certainly hope it will), but with CES just around the corner, the release of a new model may be enough to keep the console's name on everyone's lips long enough to continue its march toward world domination. We cannot help but think that although many would be incredibly happy to have a beefier Xbox 360, those that have already laid down some fat wads of cash for the older models may be a little irritated if, or when, the Zephyr blows in.

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56 Comments

NeoSanity

5 years ago

Kaboth wrote

Not to mention its a horror for retailers to have to stock 3 different machines. You're bound to get 1 or 2 models that don't sell well and take up space.

MOst places stock both consoles as it is, I mean it'd be totally up to the retailer and how each version is marketed. I mean the ipod being such a flawed produced was markted so well that it's become a 21st century icon.

Looks liek the rumor is true after all:

Quote

Bill Gates and Robbie Bach are expected to announce at the Consumer Electronics Show that Microsoft has sold more than 10.4 million Xbox 360s since the launch in November, 2005. That means Microsoft has also hit its targets for sales of consoles during the holidays.

Microsoft is also dropping something of a bomb at the show. Jim Brady, a spokesman for Microsoft, said Gates and Bach will say in the keynote speech Sunday night at the Venetian Hotel that the Xbox 360 will be able to serve as a set-top box for IPTV, or Internet protocol television. The details on this announcement are sketchy and Brady says only that it will appear later this year.
He did say that no consumers would be left behind, meaning that all of the 10 million plus Xbox 360s in the market would be able to participate in the IPTV services at some level.

www.mercurynews.com

They're set to announce it in Vegas, hmm how fitting.

Jim Dash

5 years ago

crestfallen12 wrote

^ can you imagine Jimmy and his mum going to Kmart and seeing three different 360s plus the different bundles?

What a struggle that would be. My mum doesn't even remember what she ate for breakfast.

I don't think Microsoft would have a problem marketing another model of 360. I couldn't see them keeping the core version on though, and I can see a price drop on the Premium.

DeathFalcon

5 years ago

WOW thats big news, that makes the HDMI pictures look like crap if its going to be a set top box for IPTV! Now I got 3 features that blew me away, Live Anywhere, Video Downloads and now that. I cant WAIT till the Keynote

ugh the boot

5 years ago

Lol to everyone that's going 'Geez...i'm glad I waited'. Yea like i'm sure this was the reason you were waiting and I don't see Zephyr coming out very soon either so it's gonna be a longer wait even still.

Anyways i've got no problem with this....I see my 360 dying quite soon (one of the most unstable machines/consoles i've ever used, damn thing seems stoned half the time, always pausing to think about stuff when other times it'll just do it, or making stupid noises etc) so Zephyr will make a good replacement unit.

Just more evidence that Microsoft rushed their console to the market a little. I'm glad Sony took a little time and built theirs a bit better, the 360 is very noisy with or without discs in the drive.

NeoSanity

5 years ago

I've read that the online service of the Playstation 3 is heavy underdeveloped and poorly done in most aspects, just as the buggy firmware (I'll try to confirm on that in due time).

You know a console had hit severe shortcuts when an important developing feature like online play is comprimised.

I think that Xbox started early designing and then halfway through let everything set to stone so they couldn't have time to work out if they could get a smaller processor or HDMI.

Sin Ogaris

5 years ago

ugh the boot wrote

No I'm sure people were waiting for an actual decent exclusive to come out on the system. Who actually said they were waiting for a re-release? I'm pretty sure the answer is no one, what you just said was pointless and unintelligible. There are plenty of reasons why a person would wait for the system by saying "I'm glad I waited" means exactly that, suddenly the wait actually has paid off because when a "waiter" decides to put down their hard earned cash they can pick up a superior product hence why it's a bonus for waiting. How can you possibly not understand that?

Kaboth

5 years ago

Well I've had my 360 about a week now and experienced no problems. Initially it heated up too much where I had it but its well ventilated now. But I don't exactly play my consoles too much. To be honest I'd be surprised if mine ever died