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Microsoft's CES 2006 KeyNote: HD-DVD Addon Confirmed!
>> Microsoft's keynote at CES 2006 just finished. The videofeed of the full CES keynote is now available from Microsoft at 300kbps here, at 100kpbs here and at 56kbps here, only the audio is available from Major Nelson in mp3 here and wma here. The full transscript of the keynote is available from the Microsoft Press site here.
Below you can find our report of what they said about the Xbox360 (HD-DVD addon!) and Microsoft's official press release.
Our coverage of what they said about Xbox 360:
* They are showing Windows Vista (including pushing how great it'll be for gaming). They gave a demo of the next generation Microsoft Flight Simulator (expected in about a year) running on Vista and played with the Xbox 360 controller.
* Xbox coverage is starting ... we get a promotional video of the launch.
* Peter Moore on stage now ... talking about what they did so far (new partnerships, unprecendented global launch, announced original Xbox at CES 5 years ago, moving to market leaders, ...).
* They want to sell between 4.5 and 5.5 million Xbox360s by June 2006. Xbox 360 has an attach rate of 4 games and 3 accessoires per console.
* 3rd factory (Celestica) will be added next month for producing (assembling?) the Xbox 360, next to the Wistron and Flextronics factories.
* He's now telling how great Xbox LIVE is. 10% had LIVE on Xbox, 50% has LIVE on the Xbox 360 (gold and silver?).
* 4 million Xbox LIVE marketplace downloads since the Xbox 360 launch. Movie previews like Mission Impossible are very popular. Public of LIVE is as big as that of TV-shows like CSI.
* By March they are expecting 20 games on Live Arcade.
* Moore announced the Xbox 360 external HD-DVD drive (addon) for HD movie playback. No details, price or pictures for now. It'll be released 'this year' (2006).
* 9 out of 10 Xbox360 owners have bought or plan to buy a HDTV. 90% says primary reason to want a HDTV is the Xbox 360.
* More than 50 Xbox 360 high-definition games expected by the end of June.
* Al Bernstein (ESPN boxing analyst) is showcasting EA's 'Night Fight Round3'. Bill Gates as Muhammad Ali is playing against Steve Ballmer (Microsoft's Chief Executive Officer) as Frazier ... and Bill won. A demo of this game is now available from the Marketplace.
* The end.
Here's what they said about the Xbox360 in Microsoft's official press release about the CES keynote:
[QUOTE]
Just a month after the global launch of the new Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, Gates discussed the product's strong momentum in delivering high-definition hardware, games and digital entertainment experiences. Xbox 360 is on track to be the fastest-selling video game console ever, forecast to ship between 4.5 million and 5.5 million units worldwide by the end of June 2006.
Gates noted that Xbox 360 has also become a powerful application for high-definition television, adding that nine out of 10 Xbox 360 owners currently own or intend to purchase a high-definition television set. He announced that more than 50 new high-definition Xbox 360 games will be available by June 2006.
Building on Xbox 360 leadership in high-definition experiences, the company announced plans to deliver a new Xbox 360 external HD DVD drive in 2006. The new drive will offer millions of Xbox 360 owners the ability to easily enjoy HD DVD movies and will provide consumers with even more choices for experiencing high-definition content, in either physical or digital form.
Using Xbox 360 and the Xbox Live service today, consumers are already able to access high-definition entertainment such as Xbox Live Arcade titles, game demos and high-definition movie trailers. Consumers can also use their Xbox 360 system to access high-definition television and movies from their Windows XP-based Media Center PC.
Gates' keynote also showcased the momentum behind Xbox Live, announcing that more than half of all Xbox 360 owners are already connected to the online games and entertainment service, which boasts a worldwide community of more than 2 million members. He demonstrated Electronic Arts Inc.'s forthcoming EA SPORTS "Fight Night Round 3," scheduled to be available in February 2006, and announced that a free, playable high-definition demo of the game is now available at the Xbox Live Marketplace, a one-stop digital download center where consumers can access high-definition games, music and movie content from leading industry partners.
[/QUOTE]
Read the full press release (incl. lots of non-xbox related stuff) on microsoft.com.
Written live coverage (of the full keynote) is also available at engadget.com.
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
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