Xbox 360 Wireless Speed Wheel And Cloud Storage Coming to Xbox
Besides the voice commands and the live TV feeds, Microsoft's Xbox E3 briefing unveiled the Xbox 360 Wireless Speed Wheel and cloud storage features coming to Xbox LIVE.
Launching in early October, the Wireless Speed Wheel features standard controller buttons/triggers for gas and brake, and haptic feedback with rumble. The device is compatible with all racing games right out of the box. The Wireless Speed Wheel will be available for $59.99 (U.S. ERP) and will ship to retailers worldwide beginning September 26, 2011.
The new wheel has also ABXY and D-pad along with green bands of lights on each handle to provide visual cues when necessary.
Microsoft also announced the following features coming to Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE Members later this year:
- A New Dashboard. With the addition of new entertainment content on Xbox LIVE, Microsoft has updated the dashboard with a new look and feel that makes it even more open and easier to navigate. All of the content is categorized in a way that is easy to browse and find, plus users can use their voice anywhere in the dashboard to navigate.
- Bing on Xbox. Microsoft is bringing Bing to Xbox. Bing on Xbox searches Netflix, Hulu Plus, ESPN, as well as its music, video and Xbox LIVE marketplaces. With Bing on Xbox and Kinect, users can find the games, movies, TV shows, sports and music they want by only using their voice.
- Expanded Kinect Voice Support. Microsoft brings Kinect's voice recognition technology to eight additional markets by the end of this year with a total of 13 markets that will have Kinect voice.
- Beacons. Beacons are a way to tell users' Xbox LIVE and Facebook friends that they want to play a game on Xbox LIVE. By setting a Beacon, users tell Xbox LIVE what they want to play. Then, Xbox LIVE lets users know when friends are playing or want to play the same game.
- Cloud Storage for Game Saves and LIVE Profile. Microsoft makes it easier for users to sign into their Xbox LIVE account from any console at any time to access their game saves and full profile, including items such as Microsoft Points to make purchases, Achievements and friends. Cloud storage will allow users to enjoy the Xbox LIVE gaming experience even when they're not in their own living room by giving them the option to store their "game saves" securely in the Xbox LIVE cloud instead of on a portable memory unit or their console's hard drive.
Launching in early October, the Wireless Speed Wheel features standard controller buttons/triggers for gas and brake, and haptic feedback with rumble. The device is compatible with all racing games right out of the box. The Wireless Speed Wheel will be available for $59.99 (U.S. ERP) and will ship to retailers worldwide beginning September 26, 2011.
The new wheel has also ABXY and D-pad along with green bands of lights on each handle to provide visual cues when necessary.
Microsoft also announced the following features coming to Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE Members later this year:
- A New Dashboard. With the addition of new entertainment content on Xbox LIVE, Microsoft has updated the dashboard with a new look and feel that makes it even more open and easier to navigate. All of the content is categorized in a way that is easy to browse and find, plus users can use their voice anywhere in the dashboard to navigate.
- Bing on Xbox. Microsoft is bringing Bing to Xbox. Bing on Xbox searches Netflix, Hulu Plus, ESPN, as well as its music, video and Xbox LIVE marketplaces. With Bing on Xbox and Kinect, users can find the games, movies, TV shows, sports and music they want by only using their voice.
- Expanded Kinect Voice Support. Microsoft brings Kinect's voice recognition technology to eight additional markets by the end of this year with a total of 13 markets that will have Kinect voice.
- Beacons. Beacons are a way to tell users' Xbox LIVE and Facebook friends that they want to play a game on Xbox LIVE. By setting a Beacon, users tell Xbox LIVE what they want to play. Then, Xbox LIVE lets users know when friends are playing or want to play the same game.
- Cloud Storage for Game Saves and LIVE Profile. Microsoft makes it easier for users to sign into their Xbox LIVE account from any console at any time to access their game saves and full profile, including items such as Microsoft Points to make purchases, Achievements and friends. Cloud storage will allow users to enjoy the Xbox LIVE gaming experience even when they're not in their own living room by giving them the option to store their "game saves" securely in the Xbox LIVE cloud instead of on a portable memory unit or their console's hard drive.
