XboxOne PlayStation4
Price
TBA
TBA
Availability
2013
Holiday
2013
Blu-ray
Yes
Yes
Hard
drive
Built-in (500GB) Built-in ("huge")
Motion
control
New Kinect (included) Move controller
CPU
8-core x86
AMD 8-core x86 AMD
RAM
8GB
GDDR3
8GB GDDR5
USB
3.0 Yes Yes
Wireless Yes (802.11n w/Wi-Fi Direct) Yes (802.11n)
Gigabit
Ethernet
Yes Yes
HDMI
Yes (in and out) Yes
Suspend/resume
Yes Yes
Background
downloading Yes
Yes
Native
gameplay sharing (video) Yes Yes
Xbox One:
The Xbox One is an upcoming video game console from Microsoft. Announced May
21, 2013, it is the successor to the Xbox 360 and the third console in the Xbox family of consoles. The Xbox One will
directly compete with Sony's PlayStation 4 and Nintendo's Wii U, as part of the eighth generation of video game consoles.
Similarly to the PlayStation 4, the Xbox One will feature
compatibility with the x86-64 instruction set, a Blu-ray Disc drive and 8 GB of unified memory in
the form of high performance DDR3. It is scheduled for
release by the end of 2013.
Hardware
The Xbox One has an APU with
eight x86-64 cores, 8 GB of DDR3 RAM
with a memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s,a 500 GB non-replaceable hard
drive, and a Blu-ray Disc optical drive. Three GB of the RAM will be
reserved for apps and OS, leaving 5 GB for games. The graphics
processing unit (GPU) is based on an AMD GCN architecture with
12 compute units, which have a total of 768 cores, providing a estimated peak
theoretical power of 1.23 TFLOPS.
The Xbox One will support 4K resolution (3840×2160) video output
and 7.1 surround sound. Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice
president of marketing and strategy for Microsoft, has stated that there is no
hardware restriction that would prevent games from running at 4K resolution. The Xbox One will support HDMI 1.4
for both input and output. The Xbox One does not have a
video output for either composite video or component video.
Features
Media inter-connectivity
Similarly to Windows 8, the Xbox One will be able to snap
applications (such as music, video, Skype,
and Internet Explorer)
to the side of the screen as a form of multitasking.
The Xbox One will also be able to serve as a pass-through for an existing
television set-top box over HDMI.
This functionality allows users to watch live TV from their existing provider
through the console, and access features such as show recommendations, an electronic program
guide, and voice commands. The set-top box is controlled by the
console through either an IR blaster or HDMI-CEC.
Voice control
The console will feature a similar,
albeit richer set of voice control abilities
than those found in the first generation Kinect. This will allow users to control Xbox functions via
voice command. All voice control will be coordinated through the Kinect, and
with this ability Skype will also become
a function of the new Xbox.
Controller
The Xbox One controller maintains the
overall layout found in the Xbox 360 design.
The directional pad has
been changed to a four-way design, and the battery compartment is slimmer. Menu
and View buttons have replaced the Start and Back buttons. Each trigger will also feature
independent rumble motors called "Impulse Triggers", which allows
developers to program directional vibration. One trigger can be made to vibrate
when firing a gun, or both can work together to create feedback that indicates
the direction of an incoming hit. It remains to be seen exactly how developers
will use the new feature, however.
Kinect
Main article: Kinect
The Xbox One will ship with an updated
version of the Kinect sensor; the new Kinect uses a 1080p wide-angle time-of-flight camera (in
comparison to the VGA resolution of the previous version),
and processes 2 gigabits of data per second to read its environment. The new
Kinect has greater accuracy over its predecessor, can track up to 6 skeletons
at once, perform heart rate tracking,
and track gestures performed with an Xbox One controller. The Kinect microphone
will remain active at all times so it can receive voice commands from the user
when needed, even when the console is in sleep mode (so it can be woken back up
with a command).
The Xbox One will not function unless
the Kinect sensor is plugged in. However, users retain the
software capability to turn off all Kinect functions while the sensor remains
connected to the console.
A Windows-compatible version of the new Kinect
will be released in 2014.
Operating system
The device will run three operating systems: Xbox OS, an OS based on the Windows kernel, and another OS that will allow
the other two operating systems to communicate by virtualisation (as a hypervisor). Such integration will include
features like snapped Skype calls while in
game.
The Windows edition on the Xbox will
not be compatible with standard Windows apps, though developers will be able to
port them over with little effort.
Xbox Live
The Xbox Live service is scaled up to
use 300,000 servers for Xbox One users from 15,000 that handle the Xbox 360
users. Cloud storage will
be offered to save music, movies, games and saved content and developers will
be able to use Live servers to offer more "living and persistent
worlds.The service will still be
subscription-based. The friends list will expanded to 1,000 friends.
Digital video recorder
Included in the system is a digital video
recorder (DVR) which allows the recording of gameplay. These
videos can then be edited with built-in video editing tools and shared with
friends through the Xbox Live service. At this point the DVR will not
be able to record video from cable, over the air, satellite, etc. Microsoft
entertainment boss Yusuf Mehdi said "Microsoft would be reaching out to
the TV guys to get additional features, like DVR recording and playback".
PlayStation4:
The PlayStation4 is an upcoming video
game console from Sony
Computer Entertainment.
Announced as the successor to the PlayStation 3during a press conference on February 20, 2013,
the PS4 is the second eighth-generation console to be
officially confirmed – the first was Nintendo's Wii U. It
will also be the fourth home console in Sony's PlayStation series. The PS4 is
expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2013, and will compete with
Nintendo's Wii U and Microsoft's Xbox One
Hardware
The console design
was not revealed at the press conference, since the design and specifications
are still being finalized. However, some technical specifications about the
console have been announced The technology in the PlayStation 4 will be
relatively similar to the hardware found in personal computers in many
respects. This familiarity should make it easier and less expensive for game
studios to develop games for the PS4
Console
The PlayStation 4
will utilize a semi-custom accelerated
processing unit (APU) developed by AMD in
coordination with Sony. Its APU will be a single-chip solution that
combines a CPU and GPU,
as well as other components such as amemory controller and video decoder.] The central processing
unit (CPU) consists of eight x86-64 cores based on the upcoming Jaguar CPU
architecture from AMDThe graphics
processing unit (GPU) consists of 18 compute units to produce a
theoretical peak performance of 1.84 TFLOPS.
This processing power can be used for graphics, physics simulation, or a
combination of the two. Eurogamer calls the graphics technology in the PS4
"impressive" and an improvement from the difficulties developers
experienced on the PlayStation 3. The
console also includes a secondary custom chip which handles tasks associated with
downloading, uploading, and social gameplay. These tasks can be handled
seamlessly in the background during gameplay or while the system is in sleep mode.
The PS4 will contain
8 GB of GDDR5 unified system memory with a maximum bandwidth of
176 GB/s. This is 16 times the amount found in the PS3, and is
expected to give the console considerable longevity. The unified memory
architecture allows the CPU and GPU to access a consolidated memory, removing
the need for separate, dedicated memory pools. The non-unified memory
architecture of the PS3 was reportedly problematic.
The read-only optical
drive will read Blu-ray discs at 6x CAV for
a maximum read speed of 27 MB/s – a significant upgrade from the PS3's 2x
speeds that were capped at 9MB/s. Early reports indicate that the Blu-ray
Disc drive will not be capable of reading quad-layer 100 GB discs, a new
Blu-ray Disc technology designed to support 4K resolution. Although the console will
support photos and videos at 4K resolution, the system is not expected to be
able to render games
beyond 1080p. A storage drive will also be included, though Sony has not
announced the size or type.
The PlayStation 4
will feature 802.11 b/g/n wireless network connectivity, Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX and
1000BASE-T), Bluetooth 2.1, and
an unspecified number of USB 3.0 ports. An
auxiliary port will also be included for connection to the PlayStation 4 Eye, a motion detection digital camera device
first introduced on the PS3. A mono headset, which can be plugged into the
DualShock 4, will come bundled with the system. Output options include HDMI,
analog audio/video, andoptical S/PDIF.
Controllers
PlayStation Movecontrollers
The DualShock 4 will be the PlayStation 4's
main controller. Similar to the DualShock 3, it will connect to the console
via Bluetooth 2.1+EDR. The
DualShock 3, however, will not be compatible with PS4. The DualShock 4 will be
equipped with several new features, including a built-in two-point capacitative
touch pad on the front of the controller, which can be clicked. The
controller will support motion detection via a three-axis gyroscope and
three-axis accelerometer and improved vibration. It will include a
non-removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery tentatively capable of
storing 1000 mAh The tentative design weighs 210 g (7.4 oz), has
dimensions of 162 × 52 × 98 mm (6.4 × 2.0 × 3.9 in), and has a rubber or
etched plastic backing to enhance grip. The design shown at the
PlayStation 4 reveal event was "near final".However, the DualShock 4
will not be demoed until around E3 2013.
DualShock 4
The controller will
feature several output connectors. Its stereo jack (3.5 mm TRS connector)
will support the connection of a headset to allow a user to speak and hear
audio simultaneously. A micro USB port, an extension port, and a mono speaker will also be included. The
controller can be charged via micro USB, a dedicated charging station, or the
console (even when the console is off).
The DualShock 4 will
feature the following buttons: PS button, SHARE button, OPTIONS button, directional
buttons, action buttons (triangle, circle, cross, square), shoulder
buttons (R1/L1), triggers (R2/L2), analog stick click buttons (L3/R3) and a
touch pad click button. These mark several changes from the DualShock 3 and
other previous PlayStation controllers. The START and SELECT buttons have been
merged into a single OPTIONS button. A dedicated SHARE button will allow
players to upload video from their gameplay experiences. The joysticks and
triggers have been redesigned based on developer input. The joysticks now
will feature a concave surface.
The DualShock 4 will
also feature a light bar that can display different colors. The colors will
help identify players and alert them with critical messages such as low health It
also will interact with a camera attachment that perceives movement and depth
by using the controller's light bar. It is based on the existing technology
used in the PlayStation Move.
Existing PlayStation Move controllers
will be supported on the PS4.
PlayStation 4 Eye
The PlayStation Eye has been redesigned. It
will include two 1280×800px cameras. The lenses will operate with an aperture of f/2.0, with 30 cm
focusing distance, and an 85° field of view The dual camera setup will
allow for different modes of operation, depending on the target application The
two cameras can be used together for depth-sensing of objects in its field of
vision, akin to the Microsoft Kinect. Alternatively, one of the cameras can be used
for generating the video image, with the other used for motion tracking.
The PlayStation 4 Eye
will also feature a four-channel microphone array, which helps reduce
unwanted background noise and may even be used to issue commands. it
is tentatively set to be 186 × 27 × 27 mm (7.3 × 1.1 × 1.1 in) (width ×
height × depth), with a weight of 183 grams (6.5 oz) It will record
video in RAW and YUV (uncompressed) formats and will connect with the
PlayStation 4 via the console's auxiliary port. Sony plans to ship the
PlayStation 4 Eye bundled with the console, rather than being a separate
accessory.
Companion devices
A variety of devices,
such as smartphones, tablets, and the PlayStation Vita, can interact with the
PlayStation 4 as second screens. Companion
devices can also wake the console from sleep mode.
The PlayStation Vita can be used for
streaming video directly from the console to the handheld, allowing supported
games to be played remotely. Sony hopes to make all PS4 games playable on
the PlayStation Vita.[14] Developers can add
Vita-specific controls for use via Remote Play.
The PlayStation App will
allow mobile devices to
interact with the PlayStation 4, similar to Xbox SmartGlass It will be available for iOS and Android smartphones
and tablets.[14] Gamers can use this
application to, for example, purchase PS4 titles while away from home and have
them remotely downloaded to the console, watch live streams of other gamers,
and view in-game maps while playing games.
Software and services
Sony intends to
expand and evolve the services it offers over the PlayStation 4's lifespan. The
PlayStation Network (PSN) will allow players on the PS4 to access a variety of
cloud-based services from the PlayStation Store including Sony's Music
Unlimited and Video Unlimited subscription services. Customers can browse
titles on the PlayStation Store and stream games via Gaikai to try them out nearly instantaneously.
User interface
The user interface on
the PlayStation 4 will be revamped, with items such as the XrossMediaBar – a feature on the PS3 –
being removed from the layout. The design instead will resemble the latest
PSN interface available at the time of the announcement. The PS4 home
screen will also feature personalized content from friends. Services from
third-party vendors, such as Netflix and Amazon Instant Video,
will also be accessible within the new interface. In addition, it will
also be possible to multitask during gameplay, such as opening a Web browser
while playing a game.
The user profile for
players will be improved, showing recent activity, their full name and other
details in addition to their unlocked Trophies, as
the unveiled PS4 user-interface has revealed.
The PlayStation 4
system software screenshot shown at the 2013 meeting.
Social features
"Social"
was one of the five major principles discussed by Sony at the PlayStation 4
Meeting 2013. Although the console will feature social functionality, the
features are optional and can be disabled.
The DualShock 4
controller includes a SHARE button. Pressing this button allows the player
to cycle through the last several minutes of gameplay to select a clip
appropriate for sharing. Video can be uploaded directly from the console,
either to websites or other PSN users.
Gamers will have the
ability to use real names with friends, in addition to a moniker in other
situations when anonymity is important. They will also be able to stream
video of their games live via services such as Ustream, allowing friends to view and comment
on them.
Games
Sony Computer
Entertainment of America chief executive officer Jack Tretton said games for
the PlayStation 4 will range in price from US$0.99 to
$60.00,[49] similar to PlayStation 3
games.
Sony hopes to make it
easier for independent game developers to develop titles for the PS4, although
all developers will still be required to purchase a development kit in order to
publish on the platform.
Physical and digital content
The system will
feature downloadable content including
complete games, similar to what's available on the PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 3. All PlayStation 4 retail games
will be downloadable. When a game is purchased, only a portion has to be
downloaded before it can be played. The remaining part downloads during
gameplay This is accomplished via the system's secondary background processor. The
PS4 will feature technology that attempts to determine games a player is likely
to purchase next, and then automatically downloads those titles in the
background in an effort to save time.
Sony will not
prohibit the usage of second-hand games purchased in physical form. This
approach could provide a point of differentiation with the Xbox One.
Backward compatibility
The PlayStation 4
will not initially include the ability to support previous PlayStation console
games, including PlayStation 3 titles. Sony has instead detailed plans to
explore cloud-based emulation of previous generations as a long-term solution
to the challenges of backwards compatibility. The firm has yet to also rule-out
on-console emulation of previous generations.
Sony is planning to
launch a cloud-based streaming service through Gaikai, a company acquired by Sony in July 2012. The
service will emulate and render previous generations of PlayStation games,
streaming them to the PS4 and, likely, the Vita, over the internet.
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