Noobenheim News for Nerds Slimmer. Sleeker. Sharper. That’s how Microsoft is describing its Xbox One upgrade: the Xbox One S.
Your current Xbox One games, accessories, and your Xbox Live services are fully compatible with the Xbox One S with one exception. Your current Xbox One Kinect will need an adapter, which Microsoft will be giving for free as long as you can confirm the serial numbers of your Xbox One, Xbox One Kinect, and new Xbox One S system.
This new vision of the Xbox One will be 40% smaller, have up to 2TB internal memory for more game storage, an IR blaster, allow for HDR gaming with up to 4k Ultra HD video and 4k Blu-Ray playback. It comes in ‘robot white’ which is a major change from the glossy black of every other console out, and has a $19.99 vertical stand so it doesn’t have to lay flat. My favorite new feature is the integrated power supply. No more bulky bricks to have awkwardly placed next to the system. My concern is the added heat from the power supply and the smaller size of the console could possibly cause overheating. I’m sure the designers at Microsoft have already thought about this and it’s not a worry, especially after what happened with the original Xbox console back in 2005. Still, it’s something to be cautious about.
The HDR and 4k playback should be interesting. Both features require a very nice TV since HDR and 4k are both reliant on the display device. According to the website, the 4k streaming will be available on Netflix and Amazon Instant Video. Finally, like the Xbox One, it’ll have an IR Blaster. The difference is this IR Blaster is built into the console instead of the Kinect so if you don’t want that peripheral cluttering up your TV stand, you can still control your devices by voice control.
Last major change to this iteration isn’t with the console. The Xbox One S will have a newly designed controller. This controller has a new textured grip and is also textured on the joystick. It also allows for both wireless and Bluetooth connectivity which extends its range beyond just wireless. The Bluetooth connectivity will also allow this controller to connect to a PC for controller gaming. I assume it could also connect via Bluetooth to phones also, allowing controller gaming to be more easily accessible on mobile devices.
The Xbox One S is available for preorder on Amazon:
500GB model for $299.99
1TB model for $349.99
2TB model for $399.99
