Microsoft just unveiled the new Xbox. It’s called Xbox One. Here’s a detail summary.

• Xbox One will be available for purchase by the end of 2013. No word on price.
• Xbox One comes equipped with a 500GB hard drive, 8GB of RAM, a Blu-ray disc drive, at least two USB 3.0 ports, WiFi, and HDMI in/out for pass-through operation.
• The system is completely silent when it’s in operation. (Passive cooling?)
• It will function as both a video game console and a set-top cable box.
• Xbox One is voice-activated via Kinect 2.0. You can even turn the power on by voice.
• Kinect 2.0 is an integral part of the Xbox One. The console won’t function without it.
• Skype voice and video calling is fully integrated.
• SmartGlass will be a native part of the Xbox One platform.
• Xbox Live will be vastly expanded and improved. The current version runs on a network of about 15,000 servers. Xbox One will increase that number to over 300,000.
• The new Kinect is so sensitive that it can read your heartbeat.
• Xbox One does not require an always-on Internet connection but it will need to connect to XBL at least once a day, so you do need an Internet connection of some sort.
• Microsoft is being evasive on the topic of used games and the Xbox One.
• All games on the Xbox One must be installed before you can play them.
• Microsoft Studios plans to release a total of 15 games in the first year of the Xbox One, 8 of which will be brand new – and exclusive – franchises.
• Steven Spielberg is working on a live-action Halo TV series for Xbox Live.
• Xbox One will not be backward compatible with Xbox 360 titles.
• The Xbox One will allow gamers to “trade games online”, whatever that means.

We’ll continue to post more details as they become available!