neue_xbox_one_s

Xbox One: A Modern, Connected Device. Update on June 19, 2013: As a result of feedback from the Xbox community, we have changed certain policies for Xbox One reflected in this blog. Some of this information is no longer accurate — please check here for the latest. A new generation of games with power from the cloud: Because every Xbox One owner has a broadband connection, developers can create massive, persistent worlds that evolve even when you’re not playing. Your Xbox One is always ready: Xbox One is designed to run in a low-powered, connected state. This means your system, games and apps are always current and ready to play—no more waiting for updates. Stay connected to your friends : Never miss an opportunity to play games with your friends or to catch up with family on Skype. Use Skype in Snap mode to chat while you play games or watch TV. Or enjoy group video Skype calls with people around the world, all from the comfort of your living room. Access your entire games library from any Xbox One—no discs required: After signing in and installing, you can play any of your games from any Xbox One because a digital copy of your game is stored on your console and in the cloud. So, for example, while you are logged in at your friend’s house, you can play your games. Buy the way you want—disc or digital—on the same day : You’ll be able to buy disc-based games at traditional retailers or online through Xbox Live, on day of release. A range of advanced technologies will make these scenarios possible, including: Superior wireless performance and coverage throughout the home : Xbox One is equipped with a gigabit Ethernet port and 802.11n wireless. With 802.11n, Xbox One can use the 5GHz wireless band which eliminates considerable interference from other devices in the home, such as cordless phones, Bluetooth devices and microwaves. Xbox One uses two wireless antennas, versus one in Xbox 360. This provides dramatically better coverage and sustained performance, which means faster internet speeds in more areas of your home. Faster connection to a world of smart devices: With Wi-Fi Direct, Xbox One can speak directly to smart wireless devices and connect to them through the cloud. This means your smartphone or tablet will interact with Xbox One seamlessly. Future proofed with power from the cloud : Microsoft has created a global network of more than 300,000 Xbox Live and Windows Azure servers, to help creators realize their visions of what is possible with a connected system. To ensure Xbox One works optimally and can offer the experiences described above, it is designed with the following networking requirements: For an optimal experience, we recommend a broadband connection of 1.5Mbps. (For reference, the average global internet connection speed as measured recently by Akamai was 2.9 Mbps). In areas where an Ethernet connection is not available, you can connect using mobile broadband. While a persistent connection is not required, Xbox One is designed to verify if system, application or game updates are needed and to see if you have acquired new games, or resold, traded in, or given your game to a friend. Games that are designed to take advantage of the cloud may require a connection. With Xbox One you can game offline for up to 24 hours on your primary console, or one hour if you are logged on to a separate console accessing your library. Offline gaming is not possible after these prescribed times until you re-establish a connection, but you can still watch live TV and enjoy Blu-ray and DVD movies. At Xbox, we’ve always believed in a connected world of games and entertainment. With Xbox One, we are planning for a connected future. We can’t wait to show you what’s to come. Introducing the most personalized Xbox One. New dashboard, new features, and tons of personalization options. Customize your Home. The look, feel, and movement of the dashboard has been updated to focus on speed, customization, and expression – for you. Choose the light or dark theme, customize your background with game art and select your favorite accent color. Have a favorite game or friend? Add them to Home. Content blocks can be added, moved, or removed as your interests or habits change. Effortless Guide navigation. New tab flyouts make it easier to see more content quickly and switching between tabs is effortless. Join friends, manage your game clips and broadcasts, switch between apps and get back home faster than ever. A more immersive community. Staying connected with Friends and Clubs is now better than ever. View full-screen screenshots and clips in your community feed. See Clubs you're already a part of, start an LFG with other club members and easily discover new Clubs to join. Live game streaming. Mixer is the only next gen streaming service that offers viewers real-time influence and participation in live game streams. Mixer broadcasters can now broadcast at up to 1080p on Xbox One, plus there's now USB webcam support. Personalized support. Xbox Assist is a built-in app with personalized tips and help, smart notifications, community tips, and troubleshooting tools to optimize your Xbox experience. Xbox innovates wherever you play. New features and options put you in complete control of how you play and broadcast. Which one is yours? Broadband internet required for update; ISP fees apply. Some features including online multiplayer require Xbox Live Gold subscription (sold separately). Cortana only available in select jurisdictions. Kinect required for Cortana speech recognition. New Halo Wars 2 and Forza Horizon 3 Xbox One S Bundles Kick Off 2017. On the heels of a record-setting December for Xbox One, today we are excited to offer even more choice for our fans with two new Xbox One S bundles joining the lineup: the Xbox One S Halo Wars 2 Ultimate Edition Bundle (1TB) and Xbox One S Forza Horizon 3 Bundle (1TB and 500GB). Both bundles include the new Xbox One S, the ultimate games and 4K entertainment system, that allows you to play the best blockbuster games, watch 4K Blu-ray movies, stream Netflix and Amazon Video in stunning 4K Ultra HD and experience richer, more luminous colors in games and video with High Dynamic Range (HDR). With over 100 console exclusives currently available, a growing library of Xbox 360 backward compatible games and more great games coming this year, there’s never been a better time to be an Xbox gamer. As always, bundle availability and pricing vary by region, so check with your Microsoft Store or local retailer for more information. The Xbox One S Halo Wars 2 Ultimate Edition Bundle – The Best Way to Experience RTS. The Xbox One S Halo Wars 2 Ultimate Edition Bundle is now available in most markets worldwide for pre-order ahead of its February 17th release, check with your local retailer for availability. This comes following 343 Industries’ closer look at the epic campaign and full suite of multiplayer modes for Halo Wars 2 shared last week. Available for $349.99 USD, the bundle includes: Xbox One S – The Xbox One S Halo Wars 2 Ultimate Edition Bundle includes 1TB of storage so you can enjoy your favorite and soon-to-be-favorite games on the ultimate games and 4K entertainment system. Halo Wars 2 Ultimate Edition ($79.99 USD value) – The RTS game for everyone includes the full game with four days of early access starting Feb. 17, the Season Pass and Halo Wars: Definitive Edition – an enhanced version of the classic real-time strategy game Halo Wars . Xbox Wireless Controller – The all-new Xbox Wireless Controller works with any Xbox One console and features enhanced comfort and feel with textured grip, improved wireless range and Bluetooth technology for gaming on Windows 10 devices. 14-day trial membership of Xbox Live Gold – Experience all the benefits of the fastest, most reliable gaming network with Xbox Live. Halo Wars 2 offers a new look at the RTS genre, a hybrid of action-oriented and classic tactical gameplay, and a new story from the beloved Halo universe. The action takes place on the biggest Halo battlefield ever – bringing armies of Spartans and other Halo fighting forces like Warthogs, Scorpions and more together against a terrifying new enemy known as The Banished. With varying levels of gameplay complexity, Halo Wars 2 is truly the RTS for everyone, created for both newcomers to RTS and strategy-genre veterans. One of the most exciting upcoming features of Halo Wars 2 is the new Blitz mode, a hybrid card-collecting strategy game with Firefight and PvP modes. Fans can check out all the action of Blitz mode by joining the Halo Wars 2 open beta, happening now! Halo Wars 2 launches on Xbox One and Windows 10 PC Feb. 21 worldwide. To pre-order the Xbox One S Halo Wars 2 Ultimate Edition Bundle and receive early access to Halo Wars 2 , visit your Microsoft Store, local retailer or microsoftstore.com. Xbox One S Forza Horizon 3 Bundles (1TB and 500GB) – Open-World Driving on Xbox One S. The Xbox One S Forza Horizon 3 1TB and 500 GB Bundles include 2016’s best-selling, highest-rated racing game. For anyone new to Forza, this is a great time to join the rest of the community with the latest release from the most successful racing franchise on any platform this generation. Forza Horizon 3 puts you in charge of the Horizon Festival, where you can customize everything and explore Australia in over 350 of the world’s greatest cars. Available now at microsoftstore.com and select U.S. retailers for $349.99 USD, the Xbox One S Forza Horizon 3 Bundle (1TB) will also make its way to additional markets starting on Feb. 7. Additionally, the Xbox One S Forza Horizon 3 Bundle (500GB) will be available worldwide beginning Feb. 7 for $299.99 USD. Both Xbox One S Forza Horizon 3 Bundles include: Xbox One S – The Xbox One S Forza Horizon 3 Bundles will include your choice of either 1TB or 500GB of storage so you can enjoy your favorite and soon-to-be-favorite games on the ultimate games and 4K entertainment system. Forza Horizon 3 – A full-game download of Forza Horizon 3 for Xbox One and Windows 10, so you can share gameplay progress across platforms via Xbox Play Anywhere. And on Xbox One S, Forza Horizon 3 looks even more stunning with HDR, featuring Australian skyscapes in rich color and vibrant detail. Xbox Wireless Controller – The all-new Xbox Wireless Controller works with any Xbox One console and features enhanced comfort and feel with textured grip, improved wireless range and Bluetooth technology for gaming on Windows 10 devices. 14-day trial membership of Xbox Live Gold – Experience all the benefits of the fastest, most reliable gaming network with Xbox Live. Xbox One S. Over 1,300 games, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray™ and 4K video streaming. Now that’s a big fun deal. Xbox One S. The best value in games and entertainment. Xbox One S has over 1,300 games: blockbusters, popular franchises, and Xbox One exclusives. Play with friends, use apps, and enjoy built-in 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray™ and 4K video streaming. Brilliant graphics with High Dynamic Range. Ultra HD Blu-ray™ and video streaming. Premium Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio. Xbox is the best choice. for your family. Xbox has something for all ages and interests, and will grow with your family. The only console designed to play the best games of the past, present and future. Play over 1,300 great games from the biggest blockbusters and most popular franchises to three generations of favorites you can play again or experience for the first time. Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures. Sea of Thieves. A Shared-World Adventure Game that lets you be the pirate you’ve always dreamed of. Super Lucky’s Tale. “Super Lucky’s Tale” is a delightful, playground platformer for all ages. Star Wars™ Battlefront™ II. Embark on an endless Star Wars™ action experience. The benefits of High Dynamic Range. Experience richer, more luminous colors in games like Gears of War 4 and Forza Horizon 3. With a higher contrast ratio between lights and darks, High Dynamic Range technology brings out the true visual depth of your games. The benefits of High Dynamic Range. Experience richer, more luminous colors in games like Gears of War 4 and Forza Horizon 3. With a higher contrast ratio between lights and darks, High Dynamic Range technology brings out the true visual depth of your games. Xbox One has more ways to play. Xbox Game Pass gives you instant, unlimited access to over 100 highly-rated and fun games, with new ones being added all the time. 1. Now when you own an Xbox Play Anywhere digital title, it’s yours to play on both Xbox One and Windows 10 PC at no additional cost. 2. Experience legendary game franchises from the beginning and across generations with backward compatibility. 3. Watch and play alongside your favorite broadcasters with Mixer, an interactive livestreaming platform available on Xbox One. Xbox One games and accessories work together. The Xbox One accessories you’ve got now, or have got your eye on, work with Xbox One S.* The best in 4K entertainment. 4K Streaming. Stream 4K Ultra HD video on Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and more. Watch movies in stunning detail with built-in 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray TM . Spatial Audio. Bring your games and movies to life with immersive audio through Dolby Atmos and DTS: X. 4. Endless entertainment apps. Enjoy your favorite apps like YouTube, Spotify, HBO NOW, ESPN and many more. 5. Connect and play with friends on Xbox Live. Connect with friends and find rivals and teammates in the best global gaming community. 6. Xbox One S bundles. Not sure which console is right for you? The new Xbox One X. "For those looking for the very best" -GameSpot. * Excludes the Xbox One S stand that works exclusively with the Xbox One S. Xbox Kinect Adapter (sold separately) required for Kinect on Xbox One S and Xbox One X. 1. Game Pass monthly subscription required; continues until cancelled. Game selection varies over time. Learn more at www.xbox.com/game-pass. 2. PC hardware requirements may vary for games on Windows 10. 3. Xbox One Backward Compatibility feature works with select Xbox 360 games, see www.xbox.com/backcompat. Xbox Live and broadband internet required for initial download of game to console. 4. Dolby Atmos for Headphones requires additional purchase from Microsoft Store. 5. Some apps require app provider-specific subscriptions and/or other requirements. See www.xbox.com/live. 6. Online multiplayer requires Xbox Live Gold subscription (sold separately). Использование вертикальных подставок для консолей Xbox One S и Xbox One X. Существует две разных вертикальных подставки для консоли Xbox One — одна для Xbox One S и одна для Xbox One X. Убедитесь, что используете подставку, подходящую к вашей консоли. Если вы хотите разместить консоль Xbox One S или Xbox One X вертикально, вам потребуется подставка, так как: она поддерживает стабильность и производительность консоли; без подставки закрыто нижнее вентиляционное отверстие, что может привести к перегреву консоли. Оригинальная консоль Xbox One проектировалась только для горизонтальной установки. Примечание. Если консоль расположена вертикально с подставкой или горизонтально без подставки, убедитесь, что консоль установлена на горизонтальной, плоской, устойчивой поверхности. Как получить подставку. Поставка входит в некоторые наборы, но не все. Изучите описание набора, чтобы узнать, включена ли в него подставка. Вы также можете приобрести ее отдельно, чтобы установить консоль вертикально. Как использовать подставку. Подставка присоединяется только к одной стороне консоли. Это позволяет добиться стабильности и оптимального уровня беспроводной связи консоли. Обслуживание консоли Xbox One S или подставки. Если вам потребуется отправить консоль на обслуживание или ремонт корпорации Microsoft, отсоедините подставку, прежде чем отправлять консоль. К подставке применяется гарантийная политика на аксессуары Xbox One. Для запроса замены по гарантии перейдите на портал Поддержка устройств или свяжитесь со службой поддержки Xbox. Если вам нужна новая подставка, но гарантия закончилась, вы можете приобрести другую подставку в Microsoft Store или у торговых посредников. TechRadar. Xbox One S vs PS4 Pro vs Nintendo Switch: Which is better? It's the console boss battle. Thanks to the introduction of mid-generation upgrades, the games console market is increasingly populated. It would be easy to fall into the trap of assuming that all of these consoles do exactly the same things, but there are subtle functional and aesthetic differentiators that are worth researching to make sure you get the console that’s best suited to the kinds of games you want to play and the lifestyle you lead. For six months now there have been two main home console competitors: the PS4 Pro and the Xbox One S. Now, however, Nintendo has thrown a new competitor into the ring with its brand new Nintendo Switch console. It may seem odd at first to directly compare the hybrid Nintendo Switch to the latest high-powered machines from Sony and Microsoft but if you’re looking to buy the latest console from one of the big names in gaming these are your options. Besides, with all three claiming to be consoles for your living room, and with the average living room only having so much space, we think it’s worthwhile. When Project Scorpio launches this holiday season, the game will once again change fairly drastically but until that time, these are the latest console options. Xbox One S vs PS4 Pro vs Nintendo Switch graphics. Xbox One S uses simplistic upscaling to generate 4K images. PS4 Pro renders at higher resolution and uses more intelligent upscaling to reach 4K. Nintendo Switch has least impressive graphics with no 4K support but has benefit of handheld mode. When it comes to graphics all three of these consoles are sitting at different levels. While the Xbox One S and the PS4 Pro both support 4K output, they do so in different ways. Meanwhile the Nintendo Switch doesn’t support 4K output at all. It seems unfair to say that the Nintendo Switch is at the bottom of the heap when it comes to graphics because though it technically is, it’s still capable of running some beautiful looking games (have you seen Breath of the Wild?) that largely benefit from Nintendo’s distinctive and attractive art style. By virtue of being a Nintendo product and a hybrid console, the Switch was never going to match the PS4 Pro and Xbox One S in terms of graphical output. Partly because that's just not what Nintendo does and partly because its hybrid nature has naturally forced some performance compromises. When it’s in its docked mode the Switch runs at a resolution of up to 1080p, though it does sometimes suffer from drops in its frame rate when running graphically intensive games like Breath of the Wild. When it’s in its handheld mode at a resolution of 720p, however, these hiccups are much less common. You’ll still get good looking games on the Switch, but if you’re looking for the latest in high fidelity graphics we suggest that you turn your attention to the Xbox One S or the PS4 Pro. With the Xbox One S, its 4K output is achieved through a process called upscaling. This means the games it runs are rendered at 1080p and then stretched to fit a 4K screen. As upscaling stretches each one of the game's pixels across four of your television's pixels to fit the 4K resolution, the images offered by the Xbox One S are not true 4K and you’ll find they’re less crisp and detailed than native 4K. Though the PS4 Pro is capable of running games natively at 4K, like the Xbox One S it’s not always able to do so and will resort to the same upscaling method. It’s worth noting, though, that it’s slightly more clever in how it does this. Each game on the PS4 Pro handles its upscaling slightly differently, but a general theme so far has been that games will render at a resolution that’s between Full HD and 4K and then use a more advanced upscaling method called ‘checkerboard rendering’ to fill its 4K pixels. We won’t go too in-depth when talking about checkerboard rendering as that’s a one way ticket to a migraine but the key thing to know about it is that it means the images the PS4 Pro is able to display are much closer in terms of quality to native 4K content and much better than what the Xbox One S is able to achieve through its upscaling. Initially the PS4 Pro had a big problem in that it relied on developers to create ‘Pro Patches’ for their games that would allow them to take advantage of the console’s more powerful hardware. The latest firmware update for the console, however, has added a very convenient ‘Boost Mode’ which allows even games that haven’t received a Pro Patch to run more smoothly with more consistent frame rates on the Pro console. This means that the ceiling for how good a game is able to look is higher on the PS4 Pro than either of the other consoles no matter what. Aside from 4K, HDR is the other big recent development in image technology, and the PS4 Pro and Xbox One S support it to varying degrees while the Nintendo Switch doesn’t at all. With the Xbox One S the list is confined to games that have been specifically upgraded to support HDR and Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, whereas with the PS4 Pro most of the games that have a Pro mode should support it. The PS4 Pro, however, does not have a 4K Blu-ray player - but more on that in a little bit. This means the amount of games that support HDR is currently much longer for the PS4 Pro than the Xbox One S. Finally in terms of audio the Xbox One S currently has the edge as it supports the latest and greatest audio technologies including Dolby Atmos. You'll need a premium audio setup to make the most of it (check out our guide to the best soundbars if you want to make the upgrade), but if being at the cutting edge of sound quality is important to you then the Xbox One S is the console to go for. Xbox One S vs PS4 Pro vs Nintendo Switch games. All three have excellent exclusives. Nintendo Switch has less cross-platform titles than the PS4 Pro and Xbox One S. Graphics are important, but they don’t really matter if a console doesn’t have games you want to play. All three of these consoles have great exclusives. However, while there’s a great deal of overlap between the Xbox One S and the PS4 Pro, this isn’t the case with the Nintendo Switch and that’s both a good thing and a bad thing for Nintendo’s console. Xbox has some extremely attractive franchise exclusives which include Gears of War, Forza and Halo, which though not quite as good as it used to be is still a strong shooter title. It’s easy to think that the Xbox only really offers shooting and driving exclusives. However, it also has the games produced by Rare in its corner and the colorful and often nostalgic platformers that this studio develops are a great bonus for Microsoft’s console. One of the biggest advantages the Xbox One S has over its rivals, however, is its backwards compatibility with Microsoft's previous console, the Xbox 360. It’s in a much better state than the PS4’s and Nintendo Switch’s and although you can’t yet play every 360 game Microsoft has made good progress. That’s not to say the PlayStation 4 Pro doesn’t have some fantastic exclusives of its own. Boasting the Uncharted franchise, Horizon: Zero Dawn, The Last of Us and Bloodborne PlayStation can offer you some incredible gaming experiences that you won’t get anywhere else. While it performs particularly strongly in the area of third person adventure titles, though, Sony’s console does fall behind when it comes to racing games and for those that enjoy them this could be a deal breaker. It pulls itself back up again by being able to offer virtual reality experiences, though. While the PlayStation VR headset is something you'll have to purchase separately it's worth noting for anyone interested in burgeoning VR technology that PlayStation is the only console that's currently able to offer that. By and large, though, most of this generation's biggest releases have been available on both consoles and going forward it seems likely that most major publishers intend to treat both platforms equally. It’s likely a timed exclusive or exclusive DLC will crop up now and again but outright exclusives have become much less common these days. The Nintendo Switch is a different creature entirely when it comes to games. Though most of these games aren't out yet, Nintendo has some of the most attractive and popular first party franchises out there which include Pokemon, Mario, Animal Crossing and The Legend of Zelda. You won’t find these games anywhere else and they’re big console sellers for Nintendo but at the same time the company has a complicated relationship with third party developers which greatly hinders it. It really depends on your priorities but it does mean that you could be sacrificing the latest and most innovative title for yet another barely altered Mario Kart game. Nintendo has promised that with the Switch we’ll see more third party titles which is promising and the list of third party and indie games that are coming to the console later in the year have our hopes high. It’s worth noting though that many of the best of them are titles like Skyrim and Stardew Valley that have been available elsewhere for a good while now. Xbox One S vs PS4 Pro vs Nintendo Switch films and media. Xbox One S has an Ultra HD Blu-ray player Both Xbox and PlayStation stream 4K content, but you'll need a fast internet connection to do so Nintendo Switch has no native media player or video streaming apps but apps may come later. For many people the games console has now become the multimedia hub of the living room and while the PS4 Pro and Xbox One S fulfil this need in different ways, the Nintendo Switch doesn’t do it at all. We might as well get it out of the way first – if you’re looking for a console that allows you to do more than play games do not buy a Nintendo Switch. Nintendo is adamant that its new console was designed first and foremost to play games which means no DVD player (Blu-ray or otherwise) and absolutely no video streaming apps. Though Nintendo has said that video streaming apps such as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime will come to the console ‘in time’ and negotiations are currently underway, there’s no indication of when this will actually happen and you could find yourself waiting a while. The PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One S, however, are much more multimedia minded. The biggest difference between the two is that the Xbox One S has an Ultra HD Blu-ray player which allows it to play Ultra HD Blu-rays in all their uncompressed 4K HDR glory. Ultra HD Blu-rays aren’t exactly coming out of retailers’ ears at the moment but when you have the option to pick up a film or TV Show in 4K it’s well worth doing and as time goes on it’s likely that the format will overtake standard Blu-rays in a similar manner to how Blu-ray has taken over DVD. It’s worth noting, too, that the Xbox One S is currently one of the most affordable ways to get your hands on an Ultra HD Blu-ray player which may appeal to early adopters. The PlayStation 4 Pro, on the other hand, while able to play standard DVDs and Blu-rays will not play Ultra HD Blu-rays. As far as streaming content, both consoles are very similar as they’re both able to handle Netflix, Amazon Prime and Youtube in 4K. Relying on streaming for your 4K content, however, does have its drawbacks. If you don’t have a good internet connection you could struggle to support a good quality 4K stream (Netflix, for example, recommends a connection speed of 25mbits or above). On the other hand, 4K Blu-ray discs are fairly expensive and not all that widely available so streaming does have its advantages. However, while neither solution is perfect, the Xbox One S at the very least allows you to choose between them while the PS4 Pro makes your choice for you and the Nintendo Switch doesn’t factor at all. Xbox One S vs PS4 Pro vs Nintendo Switch Portability. Naturally, this is going to be an area where the Nintendo Switch excels – portability is the console's unique selling point and it's been designed specifically to allow players to move smoothly between their home televisions and the portable tablet. It does its job well, too. In its portable tablet form, the Nintendo Switch is a solid and premium-feeling handheld device and when you place it in its dock to connect to your home TV, it performs well. The console does have to make compromises to achieve its multi-functional promises – it's larger than what we've come to expect from traditional handhelds and it's not capable of the same graphical performance as the other home consoles, but the transition between its two modes is seamless. That's not to say you're tied to the room your console is in if you opt for the Xbox One S or PS4 Pro – both of these consoles have portable elements. The Xbox One S has the Xbox Play Anywhere service. With this you can play your games on either your Xbox console or your Windows 10 PC. You only have to buy the digital copy of the game once on your Microsoft account for it to work on both systems and your saves, add-ons and achievements will move with you. Not every Xbox game is available on the Play Anywhere service but it is growing. Obviously, a Windows 10 laptop or PC is nowhere near as portable as the Nintendo Switch's tablet, but it does offer some freedom and as the games are being played natively rather than being streamed, performance is consistent. As far as the PS4 Pro is concerned, you also have the ability to play on both the console and on your PC using Sony's Remote Play service. With the Remote Play app, players are able to stream their PlayStation 4 games to their PS Vita, PC, Mac, PS TV device, or Sony Xperia device. Though PlayStation Remote Play is compatible with more devices and gives access to more games than Xbox Play Anywhere, it has many limitations. Firstly, as it's a streaming service it requires a high speed internet connection which isn't available to everyone in every location they may find themselves inclined to play. Most people are likely to find that they won't be able to get their most demanding games to play smoothly across their systems. Xbox One S vs PS4 Pro vs Nintendo Switch Price. Of the three, Xbox One S is the cheapest. We’d like to say money's no object but let’s face it: it totally is. If money was no object we’d just buy all three of the consoles. Of the three consoles, the Xbox One S is the cheapest option. Right now you can pick it up the console on its own for around £220 ($260/ AU $350) though there are some fantastic bundles to be had with several games that come in at around £230 ($270/ AU $360) to £250 ($290/ AU $400) In the middle sits the Nintendo Switch at £280 ($300/ AU $470) for the console on its own. At the moment the Nintendo Switch doesn’t have any particularly attractive bundles but we’re putting that down to how early it is in the console’s life cycle. However, it’s worth noting that though the Switch is £280 ($300/ AU $470) and its games cost the industry standard, it does have several costly sold-separately accessories to buy. Arguably everything you need to play the Switch comes with it but quite quickly you’re likely to find yourself picking up a case and screen protector as well as a micro SD card to expand the console’s fairly small 32GB internal storage. These separate purchases can all add up fairly quickly and to make the most of your Switch console at launch you could very well find yourself paying just as much as, if not more than, the cost of a PlayStation 4 Pro. A neat segue – the PlayStation 4 Pro at the moment comes in at around £350 ($400/ AU $560). Usually this will get you the console, a controller and one or two games. There are obviously periods where the deals for the consoles are better than others – Christmas and Boxing Day, for example, are usually excellent times to pick up a new console. That’s a while away, though, so if you want to see the best deals available right now, we have them here for you. So which is better? The PS4 Pro's games look better The Xbox One S is the better-equipped media player The Nintendo Switch is the most versatile All three have great exclusive games but the Switch has less third-party support. Well, our tale is coming to its end and that means ideally we’ll be able to present you with a neatly tied up conclusion and tell you exactly how these three consoles have fared in their battle. All three have their strengths and which one is the one for you is entirely down to your specific needs. If you care first and foremost about 4K gaming, then the PS4 Pro has the edge right now. While the Xbox One S uses some pretty standard upscaling, the PS4 Pro uses some much more intelligent processes to make its games look very close to 4K. The big advantage the Xbox One S has is its Ultra HD Blu-ray player. Many have argued that the future of home cinema is in streaming, and we’d be inclined to agree, but while the two major streaming providers Netflix and Amazon Prime Video already support 4K, you’ll need a pretty speedy internet connection to actually be able to see it. As internet speeds improve this will be less of a problem in the future, but as it currently stands there are plenty of people out there who won’t be able to stream 4K content. The Nintendo Switch, the newcomer to the fray, is by far the poorest performer when it comes to graphics and multimedia content. But, what it lacks in power it makes up for in convenience. The Nintendo Switch is a console dedicated solely to gaming that you can easily play at home and on the go. Its hybridity means it’s able to offer a sense of freedom and fluidity of play that neither of its competitors can. It’s also able to offer some of the most popular and enjoyable exclusives in gaming right now and if it lives up to its third party and video streaming promises it will become an even more worthy competitor. That said, we can't help but feel that in the grand scheme of things that though the Nintendo Switch performs well on its own terms, when it's compared to the Xbox One S and the PS4 Pro it comes across a secondary home console choice rather than a primary one. And there we have it: you've got one extremely affordable all-rounder, one high-powered 4K machine with VR support, and one lower powered but multi-use dedicated gaming console. Related news. Tech deals, prizes and latest news. Get the best tech deals, reviews, product advice, competitions, unmissable tech news and more! No spam, we promise. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details without your permission. Samsung Galaxy S9 release date, price, news and rumors. SIM only deals: the best plans in February 2018. Samsung provides more evidence the foldable Galaxy X could arrive this year. 3 reasons why now is a terrible time to buy a new smartphone. The best cheap laptop deals in the January sales 2018: prices start at just £145. LibreOffice 6.0 makes it easier than ever to switch from Microsoft Office. 3 reasons why now is a terrible time to buy a new smartphone. Exciting new iOS 12 features reportedly shelved so Apple can focus on reliability. Xbox Game Pass is riling UK indie shops - and they may boycott the console. Google buys part of HTC's phone business, including Pixel team. TechRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury , Bath BA1 1UA . All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Sources: Xbox One getting huge upgrade in 2017, slim model later this year. The "Xbox One-Two" will be more than four times as powerful (!) as the Xbox One. [ Update : Microsoft has confirmed "Project Scorpio." The console will deliver 6 teraflops of computing capability, and true 4K resolution. Microsoft is saying it's the most powerful GPU put into a console to date, and it's coming in holiday 2017.] Microsoft has two new Xbox consoles on the horizon, according to reports on Kotaku that Polygon has corroborated with its own sources. Those sources also told Polygon that one of those new consoles will be over four times more powerful than the current Xbox One and that the announcement at E3 was triggered by, among other things, a faster-than-expected timeline for Sony’s own upgraded PlayStation 4. The other console, a slimmed-down version of the current hardware, will also be getting a redesigned controller. The latter is scheduled to be revealed at E3 or at an event shortly before, as plans are currently in discussion. Tom Warren at Polygon sister site The Verge reports that the console will be "40 percent smaller than the current model and will likely include 4K support," which will be for video content specifically, though the existing Xbox One models include scaling hardware to output games at various resolutions. Our sources also confirm that this will be the smallest Xbox ever made. Current plans have the smaller Xbox One scheduled for release this August. Pricing for the system has not been finalized. The other console, codenamed Scorpio, is unlikely to be released until late 2017, according to Polygon's sources. It will likely be announced in the next month, though plans are somewhat in flux. Like the all-but-confirmed PS4 "Neo," Scorpio represents an evolution of console generations, one that straddles the line somewhat between an entirely new installment of the Xbox platform and a continuation of the existing Xbox One. Power is a primary concern for Microsoft with Scorpio. The PS4 has remained a constant leader over the Xbox One in this respect, with games on the platform usually running at higher resolution and a higher framerate on the PS4 than their Xbox One counterparts. Microsoft is determined to end this narrative. The Xbox One is believed to operate a peak target of 1.32 teraflops, compared to the 1.84 teraflop performance numbers attributed to the PS4. Meanwhile, per documents secured by Giant Bomb's Austin Walker — and corroborated by our sources — the PlayStation 4 "Neo," at approximately 2.25 times more powerful than the PS4, is likely to have a peak performance number of 4.14 teraflops. The current performance target for Microsoft's Scorpio is approximately 6 teraflops. Previous reports and documentation for Sony's new console have suggested that PS4 games will work on both its current iteration of the system and the Neo, and our sources indicate this is also the case with Scorpio. Kotaku also reports that Scorpio will be "technically capable of supporting the Oculus Rift." Polygon's sources verified that while Scorpio will be technically capable of supporting the Oculus Rift, Microsoft's relationship with the virtual reality headset maker hasn't changed since it was announced last summer. Microsoft originally had no plans to announce Scorpio in 2016, preferring to wait until next year, possibly at its own event prior to E3 2017. This would be in keeping with the company's existing precedent for new hardware launches. This was timed to combat expected plans by Sony to announce and launch the Neo in 2017. However, after GDC, evidence industry-wide has indicated that Sony's timetable for the Neo either has accelerated or was always intended for this fall. Because of this and other factors, Microsoft is feeling pressure to announce both its new, smaller Xbox One console and the upgraded Scorpio — colloquially referred to internally as Xbox One-Two — at this year's E3, or a last-minute event just prior to the LA convention. There are those internally at Microsoft who are sensitive to consumer unrest at the prospect of more powerful hardware so quickly compared to the previous console generation. The Xbox 360 was released in November 2005, the Xbox One in November 2013. Discussions are underway about how best to manage that. A price for Scorpio is also still under active discussion, and is unlikely to be revealed until next year. More clear, however, is that "universal compatibility" is a core principle for the system. Scorpio is currently being designed to support all Xbox One software. Much of this information has been rumored for weeks. Well-known Microsoft insider Paul Thurrott's site, Thurrott.com, originally discussed new Xbox hardware in a post written by Brad Sams in April, which also reported that a new controller was in development. [ Ed. note: This article originally miscredited reporting on Xbox rumors on thurrott.com to Paul Thurrott. We regret the error.] Thurrott also reported on additional expected convergence between Windows 10's gaming platform and the Xbox One, which Kotaku further corroborated. The outlet learned of a specific initiative, codenamed Project Helix, to launch day and date versions of Xbox One software on Windows 10 as well, though this is already being borne out with the PC launch of Quantum Break in March and the simultaneous launch of Halo Wars 2 on Windows 10 and Xbox One later this year. Xbox head Phil Spencer, during a keynote at an event in February of this year, suggested the possibility of new Xbox hardware that followed a different path from previous generational transitions. "We can effectively feel a little bit more like we see on PC, where I can still go back and run my old Doom and Quake games that I used to play years ago but I can still see the best 4K games come out and my library is always with me," Spencer said. "Hardware innovation continues while the software innovation is able to take advantage and I don't have to jump a generation and lose everything that I played on before." In a follow-up interview after Spencer's keynote, the Xbox head elaborated on the company's philosophy for a new approach to hardware with Polygon's Nick Robinson. "We look at these other ecosystems out there like mobile, tablet and PC and we see that they have a very continuous evolution cycle in hardware, whereas between console generations most of the evolution is making it cheaper and potentially making it smaller," Spencer said. "Both are meaningful but don't make the games play any better. If you look at PC specifically and see the evolution that happens there, there's no reason why console can't ride that same curve. "I look at the ecosystem that a console sits in and I think that it should have the capability of more iteration on hardware capability. Sony is doing this with VR and adding VR capabilities mid-cycle to the PlayStation 4 and they are doing that by adding another box. I don't mean that as a negative. But it's not changing what the core console is about. "For consoles in general it's more important now than it's ever been, because you have so many of these other platforms that are around. It used to be that when you bought your console you were way ahead of the price performance curve by so much, relative to a PC. But now PCs are inexpensive and your phones are getting more and more capable. "I still think a console is the best price to performance deal that is out there but when you look at the evolution . I'm not going to announce our road map for hardware . but what I wanted to say on stage for people when they see this vision of ours and question our commitment to console I want to make sure that people see that what we are doing enables us to be more committed to what consoles are about than we've ever been and innovate more consistently than we ever have. That's the key for me." Make sure to follow all of Polygon's coverage of this year's E3 right here. For more details on E3's livestreaming schedule make sure to check out our one-stop shop for the show's streams. Everything We Know About Xbox 'Project Scorpio' So Far. Microsoft calls Project Scorpio — the company’s edgy codename for its revamped, boutique Xbox One due by holiday 2017 — the “most powerful console ever.” And on paper it certainly looks to be. Since it’s not a new console but a refresh of an existing one, designed to live squarely in the Xbox One-verse of current-gen content, it’s raison d’être can be summed as follows: graphics, graphics, graphics. Project Scorpio is about delivering native or near-native 4K visuals, in other words, as well as the raw crunch power for whatever angle on virtual reality Microsoft’s got cooking. With a zippier central processor and buckets of pixel-chewing horsepower, it’s a gaming behemoth, in theory outclassing Sony’s own 4K-angled PlayStation 4 Pro by sizable margins. (Read more: PlayStation 4 Pro offers breathtaking graphics, so long as you have a 4K TV.) Here’s everything we know about the new console so far. Project Scorpio really will be the most powerful console ever. Inside Microsoft’s boutique Xbox One lies a custom 8-core “system on a chip,” with each core clocked at 2.3 GHz (contrast with PS4 Pro’s eight Jaguar cores clocked at 2.1 GHz); 12GB of GDDR5 memory with 320 gigabytes per second of bandwidth, a measure of how fast data can be moved around (contrast with the PS4 Pro’s 218 gigabytes per second); a graphics processor capable of hitting 6 teraflops of performance (contrast with the PS4 Pro’s respectable but notably lower 4.2 teraflops); and “the whole thing is housed in a compact body with integrated power supply and, for a console, state-of-the-art cooling,” reports Digital Foundry. A quick word about graphical performance in view of PC gaming’s ongoing roost-ruling. Yes, Nvidia’s flagship GTX 1080 graphics cards range from 9 teraflops to 11 teraflops of graphical compute, but consoles by design are generally able to do more with less than PCs. And even the basic 9 teraflops version of the GTX 1080 starts in the $550-$650 range — higher, I’d wager, than Project Scorpio’s eventual tag. Assuming that’s right, 6 teraflops in a set-top console in 2017 is a big deal, at least to the extent buyers care about native (or nearly so) 4K graphics, as well as support for a compelling higher-end virtual reality part. It’s designed to appeal to 1080p and 4K TV owners alike. If you’re an existing Xbox One user with no plans to buy a 4K television, but eyeing Scorpio as a way to play existing games with visual and performance perks, the new system appears to check that box, too. Microsoft says Scorpio will, for starters, eliminate frame tearing — a glitch that can distort a moving image when confronted with underpowered hardware. For older games that support dynamic resolution scaling, Scorpio’s raw horsepower should propel them to their maximum resolutions as well, bringing older Xbox One games that had suffered in head-to-head comparisons with the PlayStation 4 up to Sony par, or past it. Another improvement involves Scorpio’s use of hardware-level overrides to make the textures in existing games look better. In short, Scorpio will intercept an older game’s lower-fidelity filtering calls, then insert much higher-fidelity ones, improving the overall look of a scene without developers having to lift a finger. What’s more, this trick reportedly extends to Xbox 360 games, too. Load times are also much improved, thanks to the convergence of Scorpio’s faster CPU, zippier hard drive and option to access all of the box’s 8GB of system memory. (The latter isn’t possible in the base Xbox One, which draws the line at 5GB.) And if video streaming’s your thing, Microsoft is reportedly aiming to support up to 4K, 60 frames per second capture without performance penalties. You can buy Project Scorpio by “holiday 2017” The Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox One all launched in November. I assume we’ll see either a Microsoft one-off event or June E3 games show unveiling, preorders at that time or shortly thereafter, then an early November launch window. Earlier wouldn’t be worse, but the Xbox One S is just out of the cradle, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Microsoft wants to give its slimline model plenty of 2017 breathing room. In any event, the official word for now remains “holiday 2017.” In a manner of speaking, of course. What’s “pricey” or “cheap” or “just right” in a world where many of us happily sign years of our lives away to payments that fund $700-plus smartphones? You can have an Xbox One S, the revamped slimline model Microsoft released last August, for $299. Microsoft says Project Scorpio will naturally cost more, though it hasn’t said by how much. Sony’s PlayStation 4 Pro goes for $399, while a standard PlayStation 4 runs $299, so that’s the market narrative heading into 2017. Digital Foundry speculates the price for Microsoft’s new Xbox could be $499. If correct, it’ll be no instant threat to Sony’s PS4 Pro, to say nothing of Nintendo’s Switch. Instead, it would perch atop a new boutique tier for a relatively small if passionate subset of console gamers…or, alternatively, crossover PC gamers looking for a budget, all-in-one path to 4K gaming. If it works with Xbox One, it works with Project Scorpio. This ostensibly includes both games and peripherals, aping Sony’s commitment to seamless interoperability of all PlayStation 4 and PS4 Pro content and accessories. That said, two caveats. One, it’s not safe to assume a virtual reality headset won’t require Project Scorpio, since VR support has been part of the company’s public rationale for boosting the Xbox One’s performance footprint this substantially. And two, we’ve seen mixed messaging from Microsoft so far on whether Project Scorpio game (or peripheral) exclusivity is truly verboten. It’s entirely possible, in other words, that Microsoft and/or developers will opt to cordon off certain peripherals and games as “Project Scorpio only.” But it’s also safe to assume that everything that works with Xbox One will be forward-compatible with Project Scorpio, meaning you’ll leave nothing behind if you opt to upgrade. Project Scorpio’s virtual reality solution probably involves third-parties. Microsoft has HoloLens, a prototype for an augmented reality headset that’s still in development, but Xbox boss Phil Spencer calls HoloLens an “untethered” experience, telling TIME last summer that “it’s a standalone device that all of the computing power is in the head-mounted display.” Spencer has also said of virtual reality that he sees Scorpio’s performance as “very attractive to some of the VR companies that are out there already,” adding that Microsoft has “architected it such that something will be able to plug right in and work.” Oculus Rift? HTC Vive? Both? Neither? Whatever the case, talking about “some of the VR companies” isn’t the sort of statement you make if you’re planning to roll your own solution a la Sony’s PlayStation VR. We’ll see, but at this point, it sounds like Scorpio may be capable of working much as Windows 10 PCs do with products from VR pioneers like Oculus or HTC/Valve. Whether that happens in 2017, or 2018, or 2019, if ever, is of course purely speculative. Update: Coincidentally, just as this piece was going up, Microsoft removed virtual reality from its official Project Scorpio page’s list of features. The page, archived here, had previously included the line “The first and only console to enable true 4K gaming and hi-fidelity VR.” Its removal doesn’t mean VR is off the table, but suggests Microsoft may be hedging against support versus lack thereof at launch. It’s for gamers who don’t already have a high-end Windows 10 PC. Here’s the theory: Microsoft’s first party Xbox games are now being designed to work on both Xbox and Windows 10 platforms. If you already have a Windows 10 PC capable of crunching 4K or VR headset visuals, therefore, Project Scorpio loses much of its allure. If you can play franchises like Forza and Gears of War and Halo at 4K on the computer you already own, why add a second box to the equation, especially if you’re looking to broaden your horizons with another console’s exclusives, be it a PlayStation 4 or Nintendo Switch? According to this theory, Project Scorpio is after the sort of gamer looking to get into 4K without spending $1,000 or more on a high-end computer. And remember that 4K televisions, though they’ve come down a bit in price lately, are still pretty pricey. Even were Project Scorpio to hit the PS4 Pro’s $400 price point, the price of a decent sized, decently outfitted 4K TV can still easily be upwards of $1,000. It’s an interesting conundrum that’s arguably a perk, because Microsoft gets a piece of your wallet (Xbox games and services) either way. Project Scorpio is in production now. Phil Spencer confirmed as much on Twitter last August: Yes, hardware, platform and games. Project Scorpio is another vote for the end of console generations. You could argue Sony voted first with PS4 Pro last year, even if PlayStation 4 architect Marc Cerny said (during PS4 Pro’s public unveiling) that it’s neither the start of a new generation nor a blurring of the current one. But Microsoft Xbox marketing honcho Aaron Greenberg added this to the conversation with unalloyed candor: “We think the future is without console generations,” he told Engadget in August last year. How companies vote matters, but how we vote matters more, so it’s best to view all of this as an experiment in both predicting and shifting consumer behavior. SPONSORED FINANCIAL CONTENT. You May Like. Stories From. Sign Up for Our Newsletters. Subscribe & Save. Sign Up for Our Newsletters. TIME may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Microsoft announces the release date for the Xbox One S — but only the most expensive version. Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox, introduces the new Xbox One S at a briefing on June 13 in Los Angeles. The Xbox One S will be available in stores in August. (Casey Rodgers/Invision for Microsoft/AP) The next mini-generation of gaming consoles is officially on its way to our living rooms. Microsoft announced a launch date Monday for one of its Xbox One S models. The console, which packs a whopping 2 TB of storage, will be available in stores starting Aug. 2 for $400. The $400 console is the most expensive of the three Xbox One S models that Microsoft unveiled last month. Deciding to announce the release of the most expensive model first is a little puzzling, particularly when press coverage of its $300 model was so extensive. But perhaps demand for the $400 model was high enough — since it packs a lot of storage — that Microsoft wanted to release it first. Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Xbox One S is the mid-generation upgrade of the nearly three-year-old Xbox One. It's 40 percent smaller, 4K-capable and has a comparatively cheaper launch price than the Xbox One's launch price. It's also white instead of black. When Microsoft first revealed the Xbox One S, it framed the decision to launch a refreshed console as a way to offer consumers more feature and pricing choices. "Different people have different things that may appeal to them," said Dave McCarthy, general manager of Xbox Services, in a June interview with The Post. When it comes to the Xbox One S, those who've already bought a $500 Xbox One at launch probably won't want to buy another console just yet. So the refreshed console should be the most appealing to those who still have an Xbox 360, and may not mind being a bit behind the times when Microsoft launches its next major update. (That would be "Project Scorpio," which Microsoft has said will be coming in 2017.) The Xbox One S also could be a good secondary console — if you have the money to spend on such a thing — or a good investment for those who really want the 4K quality and have the televisions to support it. Microsoft has yet to announce the launch dates for the $300 model with 500 GB of storage and the $350 model with 1 TB of storage . Based on past sales trends, however, it would be logical for Microsoft to release them in time for back-to-school season, or at least before the holiday shopping season gets started. "More details on the specific availability dates of these two options will be shared soon," the company said in an official blog post. Microsoft's newest console is expected to have competition this holiday season. There is a new PlayStation in the works — currently code-named the "Neo" — but it is expected to be more expensive than the PlayStation 4. Sony has confirmed the Neo's existence but has not released further details. TechRadar. Xbox One accessories: All the peripherals you need to own for Xbox One. Make your Xbox One greater. With an Xbox One console and a few good games, you're already looking at a pretty good gaming situation. But, add in a few optional extras and you could create an experience that's on an entirely new level. While the Kinect failed to connect, the Xbox One isn't short of excellent accessories that will enhance your gaming experience. Whether you're looking for a new controller, a great gaming headset, a handy subscription, or a roomy external hard drive, you'll find an accessory here that will suit your needs. 1. Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller. Meet the pricey, pro-level controller for Xbox One and Windows 10. The Xbox One controller is already a pretty solid piece of hardware, improving on the Xbox 360's controller that became the industry standard. Somehow, Microsoft managed even further improvement in the form of the Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller. There's swappable thumbsticks and directional pads that offer up a better feel than the standard Xbox One controller, as well as quick-hit triggers to help out in the most high-impact shooters. While it's pretty pricy for a pad at almost three times the cost of a standard controller, you definitely get what you pay for with this premium piece of hardware. 2. Xbox One Play and Charge Kit. Stop throwing away money on batteries and picking up dead controllers. While there is some benefit to having the Xbox One controller use standard batteries (like not having to worry about having a controller-free console in a few years when the other platforms controller batteries start dying and the platform manufacturers have moved on), the process of switching out AA batteries every few weeks can be maddening. If you yearn for some simplicity, though, the Xbox One Play and Charge Kit puts the Xbox One Controller on the same playing field as the competition. Just put the simple battery back where you'd put the batteries and use a micro-USB cable to keep the controller fresh when you run out of juice. 3. Xbox One Media Remote. The best (cheapest) way to make your Xbox One feel like a grown-up streamer. Ever since the PlayStation 2 put a DVD player in the homes of millions, one constant has remained this millennium; using a controller to watch videos on consoles is the worst. If you're using your Xbox One as a streamer, Blu-ray player, and TV watcher, the Xbox One Media Remote is a great way to watch all of your favorite content without fumbling to remember the proper controller command to bring up closed captions or time remaining. This remote is perfectly sized to fit every important command (including volume options that controllers and Xbox One Smartglass cant handle), is very sleek, and has a backlight that's perfect for home theaters and late-night video-watching. 4. Turtle Beach XO Three. Turtle Beach XO Three. A cheap headset with some surprises up its sleeve. Turtle Beach is one of the biggest most well-established gaming headset manufacturers in the business. It takes pride in its products and that's something that comes across in the affordable but surprising XO Three. This is a headset that does a surprising amount given its price. Yes, its 50mm drivers are basic but it's physically impressive. It feels robust and it doesn't look anywhere near as cheap as it is. Its headband and earcups are large and comfortable and you can easily wear it for hours at a time. It also supports Windows Sonic which will bring a noticeable and welcome bass-boost. 5. Xbox Live Gold 12 Month Membership. Live Gold isn't just about multiplayer anymore, get on-board. Over the last decade-plus, Xbox Live has been synonymous with Xbox consoles; if you want to get the most out of your Xbox 360 or Xbox One, having Xbox Live to play online with friends is tantamount. Even if you don't play games online regularly, there's still a lot of value that comes with this subscription. On top of weekly discounts, Xbox Live members also get free Xbox One games (and another pair of backwards-compatible Xbox 360 games) to keep as long as their Xbox Live subscription stays valid. It's a great deal that ensures you'll rarely even have to pick up new games, given the breadth and depth of freebies that come to Xbox Live on a monthly basis. 6. Xbox One Chatpad. Sometimes, a voice message won't do and you've got to send some words to your Xbox cohorts. So what do you do? Painfully trudge through the UI keyboard to slowly. type. out. each. word? Pull up your phone and dive through a series of Smartglass menus to text your fellow players? Wouldn't it be great if you had a keyboard handy at all times? That's why the Xbox One Chatpad is so darn handy. Sending messages is a snap, even in the dark thanks to the backlit mini-keyboard. Sending longer messages to friends or redeeming one of the Xbox One's insane 25-character redemption codes is a heck of a lot easier with this sweet add-on that fits flush with your controller. 7. Xbox One Digital TV Tuner. A great, low-cost way to consume all your media through your Xbox One. Outside of sports apps, it's tough to keep up with live events via the Xbox One. If you're a cord-cutter who still wants to stay in the conversation when network shows, specials, and sporting events air, the Digital TV Tuner is key to connecting. If you've got a halfway decent antenna, connecting it to this tuner will allow you to pull in over-the-air channels with the benefit of the Xbox One's snazzy UI to navigate through TV listings. If you've got hard drive space, Microsoft is promising the ability to DVR programs later this year, making this little piece of tech even more valuable. 8. Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter. An ingenious way to let you use your own headset or headphones. Whether you've got an old reliable headset that saw you through some Xbox 360 battles or want your PC gaming headset to pull double duty, you'll need something to get a non-official headset working with the Xbox One's proprietary controller connector. Thankfully, there's the Xbox One Headset Adaptor that allows one to plug a standard wired gaming headset on the Xbox One console. It also helps things out by centralizing the headset commands right underneath the controller. No longer will you have to feel around on your headset's wires to find the volume and muting controls; it's all right there on the controller no matter what headset you've got connected. 10. Seagate Game Drive. The guaranteed a solution to your storage ills. Even with the streamlined simplicity that consoles offer, sometimes storage can be tricky, especially given the sheer variety of external hard drives on the market. Will a hard drive get enough power from the console to run properly? Is the speed up to snuff enough to play full games at a proper clip? Sometimes reliability and peace of mind is worth spending a little more for, which is why Seagate's official external drive is worth seeking out. Beyond the snazzy look and logo, you're guaranteed a solution to your storage ills and a hard drive that will work right out of the box. If you've ever had to futz around formatting your drive and crossing your fingers that your console will recognize it, the Game Drive is a breath of fresh air. Make sure you check out the best Xbox One games too. Related news. Tech deals, prizes and latest news. Get the best tech deals, reviews, product advice, competitions, unmissable tech news and more! No spam, we promise. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details without your permission. Samsung Galaxy S9 release date, price, news and rumors. SIM only deals: the best plans in February 2018. Samsung provides more evidence the foldable Galaxy X could arrive this year. 3 reasons why now is a terrible time to buy a new smartphone. The best cheap laptop deals in the January sales 2018: prices start at just £145. LibreOffice 6.0 makes it easier than ever to switch from Microsoft Office. 3 reasons why now is a terrible time to buy a new smartphone. Exciting new iOS 12 features reportedly shelved so Apple can focus on reliability. Xbox Game Pass is riling UK indie shops - and they may boycott the console. Google buys part of HTC's phone business, including Pixel team. TechRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury , Bath BA1 1UA . All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.