Despite Microsoft Corp’s best efforts in offering cast-iron denials, resurgent whispers suggesting that Blu-ray technology is coming to the Xbox 360 are quickly becoming solid foundations for ‘the rumour that just keeps on giving.’
Yet more rumours that suggest Blu-ray is coming to the Xbox 360. Image: HermanTurnip/Flickr.
Specifically, tech site DigiTimes has today offered that Pegatron Technology, an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) subsidiary of Taiwan computer heavyweight ASUSTek, has secured hardware orders from Microsoft to construct Xbox 360 consoles fitted with an internal Blu-ray drive.
In quoting China’s Economic Daily Times publication, the seemingly diligent industry watchers at DigiTimes claim that shipments of the new Blu-ray-equipped Xbox 360 will shift into gear in Q3 of 2008, which allows Microsoft to position the revamped console ahead of the traditional end-of-year retail rush.
Since the February demise of Toshiba’s HD DVD platform, of which Microsoft was a prime supporter via its standalone Xbox 360 HD DVD player, the rumour mill has been churning the grain of speculation furiously, with report after report suggesting that Redmond-based Microsoft is to unveil a new standalone or internal Blu-ray player to accompany its popular videogame console.
However, the software titan has said firmly that it has no intention of integrating Blu-ray technology into its Xbox 360 hardware. In March of this year, Aaron Greenberg, Microsoft’s group marketing manager, stated that the Xbox division has no plans to embrace Blu-ray and is certainly not in talks to that end with either (games market rival and main Blu-ray proponent) Sony Corp. or the Blu-ray association.
Beyond the persistent Blu-ray rumours, it is believed that Microsoft will attempt to take the sting out of HD DVD’s defeat (and Sony’s subsequent victory) by expanding HD distribution through its soon-to-be-overhauled Xbox Live online service.
View blog reactions
Add your comment (no registration required)
page: 1
superdynamiteMay 7th, 2008 - 06:51:49
It seems like only yesterday when Microsoft was denying rumors about XBox Elite. We all know how that turned out.
Report this comment
Advertising
superdynamiteMay 7th, 2008 - 06:51:49
It seems like only yesterday when Microsoft was denying rumors about XBox Elite.
We all know how that turned out.
Report this comment