Next Generation Xbox 720 Coming In Time For 2013 Holiday Season
Nintendo's Wii U jumped out to a fast start, selling 400,000 units during its first week of sales. It's become difficult to find the console in stock anywhere, that is unless you're willing to pay inflated prices on eBay or Craigslist. However, it's also the only new generation console in town, but for how long?. There have been plenty of rumors and speculation surrounding Microsoft's next Xbox console, codenamed Durango, and the timeframe we keep hearing is that it will launch towards the end of next year.
Bloomberg reiterated that launch goal today, saying that "people familiar with the company's plans" have indicated Microsoft is aiming to have Durango on store shelves in time for the holiday shopping season in 2013.
The people sourcing that info declined to identify themselves because the product roadmap is still confidential at this point (and one of the worst kept secrets on the web), but said you can expect to see availability around Thanksgiving.
One of the sources added that Microsoft hasn't yet decided whether it will unveil its next Xbox console at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in June 2013 or dedicate an entire event to the launch. Previous rumors suggested E3 as a likely target.
In the meantime, the Xbox 360 continues to rack up sales. Microsoft actually led all console sales in the U.S. for the past 22 months (through October), according to data from The NPD Group, though game hardware sales have been declining in general. Despite being a 6-year-old console, Microsoft has been able to maintain consumer interest by redesigning the chassis a couple of times, offering themed consoles (like the Halo 4 bundle), adding more storage options, and of course by launching the Kinect motion control sensor.
Bloomberg reiterated that launch goal today, saying that "people familiar with the company's plans" have indicated Microsoft is aiming to have Durango on store shelves in time for the holiday shopping season in 2013.
The people sourcing that info declined to identify themselves because the product roadmap is still confidential at this point (and one of the worst kept secrets on the web), but said you can expect to see availability around Thanksgiving.
One of the sources added that Microsoft hasn't yet decided whether it will unveil its next Xbox console at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in June 2013 or dedicate an entire event to the launch. Previous rumors suggested E3 as a likely target.
In the meantime, the Xbox 360 continues to rack up sales. Microsoft actually led all console sales in the U.S. for the past 22 months (through October), according to data from The NPD Group, though game hardware sales have been declining in general. Despite being a 6-year-old console, Microsoft has been able to maintain consumer interest by redesigning the chassis a couple of times, offering themed consoles (like the Halo 4 bundle), adding more storage options, and of course by launching the Kinect motion control sensor.
