Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): 5 Things to Like About the ‘One’

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has gone through all the hype, rumor and innuendo, and after years of waiting by gamers and other entertainment enthusiasts who have gotten plenty of use out of their Xbox 360 consoles, the latest and greatest entertainment system had its big reveal Tuesday. And while many are digesting all of the new features involved with the Xbox One entertainment system – and yes, it is expected to run a gamut of digital entertainment and not just be a gaming console.

The Xbox One is expected to integrate some of its own user interface, especially the items that consumers have liked most, and rolled them into a Windows 8-type platform. We may have to wait and see how that will play out with gamers and others accessing the Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows 8 platform that has gotten some not-to-positive review when it has shown up on laptops and tablets. However, in the process of going through what the Xbox One has to offer, we have found a few things that gamers and regular entertainment consumers just might like about this new console. Of course, whether it will translate into Xbox maintaining its market lead in the digital gaming sector will be a matter for another day.

Truly social gaming. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) had incorporated some social features into the Xbox 360 experience, but now it goes to another level. Some of the improvements include the ability to take photos from within a game and share them over social networks, and you can watch TV or play a game and search for a potential online teammate for another game at the same time. In addition, there is a DVR feature where players can record game footage and edit it.

Live TV and switch capability. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), as expected, created the Xbox One with the ability to stream live television from a cable or satellite connection straight through the box. Also, a user can direct the box to switch from the console to the TV without changing input.

NFL and fantasy football merge. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) reportedly reached a deal with the NFL to have exclusive NFL content on Xbox through an app called NFL on Xbox. This will allow users to have fully interactive content on Sundays with the cooperation of fantasy football, score updates, game action and Skype chatting to basically give us all an excuse to yell at our TV sets at our favorite team’s latest gaffe.

Multitasking. Xbox One has a feature that allows users to open several apps at once. For example, a user could be watching a movie while conducting some web research and using Skype to chat with a friend and playing a game against other online players.

Xbox has a voice. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has followed through on technology  by providing voice commands to help users navigate through the many options on the dashboard. With “Xbox on,” both the console and the TV can turn on at the same time.

What do you think? Can this help Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) remain atop the gaming entertainment industry, or do you think Sony’s PlayStation 4 can gain some ground? Give us your feedback in the comments section below.

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