Microsoft on Tuesday unveiled the Xbox One, the newest version of its popular game console.
Don Mattrick, president of Microsoft's interactive entertainment business, said the company wanted to design and build the "ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system."
Microsoft currently is hosting its special next-generation Xbox event at its Redmond, Wash., headquarters. The company last introduced a new gaming console, the Xbox 360, in 2005. Since that time, the Xbox has become the best-selling game console in the country, with consumers spending $208 million on hardware, software, and accessories for the Xbox in April.
However, the new Xbox launch comes as the game console business faces an uncertain future. More and more people are turning to mobile devices and the Web for gaming, and that has resulted in weaker console sales. The Nintendo Wii U, which includes a tablet-like game controller that doubles as a second screen, has faced tepid interest since launching late last year. Sony, meanwhile, unveiled its Playstation 4 in February, but the device isn't expected to hit the market until the fall.
To help attract buyers and become more of a living room staple, Microsoft has been incorporating more entertainment capabilities into the Xbox, including new media-streaming functionality. The company is expected to provide more details about new entertainment features of the Xbox throughout Tuesday's event.
Xbox One also includes Microsoft's Skype Xbox application with group video calling. Notifications display on the Xbox Home dashboard with a Snap Mode that lets you video call while you're watching movies. A new Xbox One Guide includes voice control search and navigation, and the ability to add favorites and see what type of content is trending. Voice commands like "watch CBS" navigate directly to the relevant content.
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