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Rumor: Xbox One Dashboard Update In March, White Xbox One Later
Microsoft is allegedly gearing up to deliver on its promise for improved social features on the Xbox One. The company is also reportedly planning on releasing a white console, similar to the one created for Microsoft employees.
The Verge is reporting it has confirmed a leak referencing the new aesthetic option for the console. This will come at some point after Microsoft rolls out a dashboard update that will improve the social features on the Xbox One, improve usability, and tweak elements of the system.
Last generation, Microsoft began selling black as a second color for the Xbox 360 in April 2007, approximately a year and a half after the initial launch of two different models in white. The new model included the first functional update to the Xbox 360: the inclusion of an HDMI port. In 2010, Microsoft began selling the “slim” version of the Xbox 360, which features an internal hard drive.
[Source: The Verge]
Our Take
The March dashboard update would fall in line with Microsoft’s typical timing, and the rumored features are in step with what we’ve heard from Microsoft. A new color for the Xbox One wouldn’t be surprising either, but I don’t expect the company will roll out something that is functionally different until next year at the earliest.
The holidays are a terrible time to introduce a new model with different functionality. It’s confusing for consumers, and Microsoft knows this, as evidenced by the launch timing for the Elite and Slim units. It’s more likely that a new color will get bundled with a digital game or two for the holidays with no other material differences.