Windows 8 will have Xbox games for PCs, tablets, and mobile phones

For those anxiously waiting for the release of Microsoft’s newest operating system for their PCs and mobile devices, there is some good news for anyone who wants a little entertainment value thrown in with Windows 8 it will initially have over 30 Xbox games available to play.

One OS to rule them all

Microsoft is trying to integrate all Windows devices under one operating system roof and this means cross-compatibility in the area of games for Windows powered tablets, PCs, and mobile phones.

Some of the games that will be launched on the Windows 8 platform will be familiar titles such as: Angry Birds, Dragon’s Lair, Fruit Ninja, Pinball FX2, Pac-man Championship, Microsoft solitaire, Microsoft Mahjong, Microsoft Minesweeper, and other popular titles.

Microsoft app

Windows 8 will include a preinstalled Xbox Games app that will not only make playing Xbox games easy, it will also mimic Xbox Live features such as leaderboard scores, multiplayer modes, and achievements.

According to Microsoft:

“Xbox games on Windows brings you a growing portfolio that spans genres and delivers fun-to-play titles playable on any Windows 8 PC, laptop or tablet. Find games you already know and love, including 29 titles from Microsoft Studios, some of which will be exclusive to Windows 8.

“Many games will be available starting October 26 with new releases coming through holiday and beyond.”

Via Xbox.com

Next Generation Xbox To Be Named Xbox 8

Rumor has it that Microsoft’s next-gen Xbox will see the light of day next year. New reports say that the new Microsoft video gaming console will not be named Xbox 720.

Instead of calling their next console Xbox 720, how the media anticipated, the Redmond-based compnay will launch the “Xbox 8″ or “Infinity,” a device that will be six times more powerful than the current Xbox 360, writes Fusible.com. The console will be launched in the winter holidays season of 2013.

Considering Microsoft’s desire to integrate all their products and services in a single ecosystem, it’s understandable why the next Xbox will be named Xbox 8.

Moreover, Microsoft already started to acquire a series of internet domains for their products. According to Fusible, Microsoft already started to secure the domains related to the launch of their next video gaming console: XboxPhone.com, XboxTablet.com, XboxLiveTV.com, XboxCompanion.com, Xbox8.us, Xbox8.org, Xboxliverewards.com, Xboxsports.com, Xboxsmartglass.com and Xboxmusic.com, currently owned by other companies or individuals.

Microsoft is reportedly ready to launch an Xbox console running on Windows 8, of course, with an interface adapted for the device.

The gadget will have a spectacular hardware configuration. The video gaming console will feature a Blu-ray reader, 1080p video rendering and 3D out. The system will be underpinned by a chipset with 6 to 8 ARM x86 cores clocked at 2 GHz.

The Xbox 8 will offer a complete multimedia experience, allowing the users to run games, apps, watch movies, listen to music and even navigate on internet and access their favorite social networks.

The new console will almost completely eliminate the game-pads, therefore Xbox 8 will be controlled with voice commands and gestures. It will also have improved security, with a feature that allows face recognition.

Source : Tech Source

Xbox 8 News: Xbox 8 domains registered by Microsoft

Could the next Xbox be called "Xbox 8"? Sure, the name might incite some confusion. For example, some might think the system to be 352 generations less powerful than the current iteration. Others will point out that that the next system is far from the eighth generation of the Xbox.

However, the name would make sense, given Microsoft's concurrent shifts to the number 8 across its other platforms. Specifically, both Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 are launching later this year.

Microsoft's interest in the Xbox 8 name was discovered by Fusible. The site uncovered a Microsoft-initiated dispute for a number of Xbox 8-related domains, such as Xbox8.us and Xbox8.org. There are also disputes filed for XboxPhone.com, XboxTablet.com, and XboxLiveTV.com.

These moves could be protective measures, and not representative of any actual products coming out of Redmond. However, "Xbox 8" certainly has a much better ring to it than "Xbox 720"--even if both the names are total lies.

Microsoft issued a statement to Kotaku in response to the report: "Microsoft often acquires various domain names as part of its ongoing business strategy, but beyond that we have no comment."

Source : http://www.shacknews.com