Rumor: “Xbox 720” doc details 2013 launch, Kinect 2
Six times the power of Xbox 360; Fortazela Glasses.
A purported leaked document from Microsoft has provided first details on its Xbox 360 successor, or “Xbox 720,” as it’s referenced, and the successor to Kinect, if the source is accurate.
A 56-page, detailed report, the document lists a 2013 release for Xbox 720 and “Kinect V2,” which it claims is necessary due to the likelihood of declining Xbox 360 sales next year, the launch of “gen 8 consoles” from Sony and Nintendo, and “new threats” from Apple TV and Google TV.
It cites Xbox 360’s limitations as “no full fidelity AAA Games + Kinect V1 sensor,” no support for a full range of XTV platform scenarios, lacking modern entertainment capabilities (“Blu-ray, Native 3D,” and “2x1080p in/out”), and the inability to run “multiplexed or concurrent applications and services.”
As far as what Xbox 720 will include, it says it will boast six times the performance of Xbox 360, and have a “native XTV/video STB,” “V1/V2 Kinect sensor processing,” “connectivity for glassses/sensors/peripherals,” “dedicated resources for next gen gameing,” “dedicated resources for Xbox 360 gaming,” and “true 1080p and full 3D.”
In terms of specs, we’re looking at:
- Core Architecture
- Application
- CPU Cores – 6-8x ARM/X86 @ 2GHz
- GPU – 64ALU @ 1GHz
- Back-Compat
- CPU Cores – 3x PPC @ 3.2GHz
- EDRAM – >32MB
- Memory – 4GB, 128bit DDR4QoS for App Pool
- Mass FLASH Storage – MLC
- System
- CPU Core – 2x ARM/X86 @ 2GHz
- GPU – 48ALU @ 500MHz
- Security System
- Video/Audio Accel – 2HD Dec, 1HD Enc, DSP, XMA
- Video Output – Flexible Resize / Compositing / 3D
- NUI Offloal – Skeletal Tracking Accel.
- Base IO – USB3.0, HDMI, DisplayPort, GigE,PCI-E, SATA, 802.11n
- Device Specific IO – HSDPA, WiMAX, W-HDMI, ATSC,DisplayPort, LVDS
- Application
Its expected system cost is approximately $225. Compared to its competition, it expects Nintendo to launch what it labels as “Wii2″ and Sony to launch “PS4” for “<$249” and “<$399,” respectively. It aims to make Xbox 720 “the ONLY box you need for premium living room entertainment.”
Kinect V2 is listed as including “improved voice recognition,” “better 3D play space recognition,” “four player concurrent tracking,” “dedicated HW processing,” and “better HD RGB camera.” That’s all in addition to “higher accuracy” and “stereo imaging vs mono.” It will also support four-person play.
Also mentioned in the document is “Fortaleza,” a pair of glasses to launch in 2014 that will allow players to “interact with the world in a revolutionary way.” Listed bulletpoints include:
- Platform (Xbox 720) – breakthrough heads up and hands free device.
- Sensors (Kinect) – seamless integration of the digital world with the physical world.
- Content / Transitioning (Games and Movies) – contextual applications and experiences for your life.
- Services (Xbox LIVE) – real time information on people, places and objects.
- 3 Screen (Tablets and Phones) – largest and most immersive screen, in the living room and on the go.
The document also includes note of Xbox SmartGlass, which was just announced last week at E3, lending it some credibility. The fact that it’s 56 pages helps, as well. (Who would waste so much time creating a 56-page fake?) Even so, it could just as well be a dupe. Anyhow, there’s much more in the actual document. Read it in full here.
Thanks, NeoGAF.