New iphone is not compatible
all-in-one home entertainment system’,” he says. “That’s all very well and good, but is that really what consumers want? According to our poll, it would suggest not.”
Similarly, consumer website www.VoucherCodesPro.co.uk, asked 1,112 UK gamers for their opinion – 47 per cent of correspondents said they felt a “games console should stick to gaming”. A further 39 per cent said that they “didn’t care” about the new television capabilities.
This, adds Charles, could be a key weakness when it comes to establishing what the Xbox One is trying to achieve in terms of pleasing consumers.
“In my opinion, the primary concern of a games console should be its games and it seems that a good few respondents echo that sentiment,” he says. “Is Microsoft trying to do too much? It might possibly be the case that they are trying to appeal to too broad a market and neglecting the desires of the gaming community who are their primary consumer base. We’ll have to wait and see.”
While Microsoft can hardly be blamed for wanting to increase Xbox’s One’s marketability beyond, somewhere along the way it seems as if the gaming function of the console has become secondary to the designers’ desires to tick as many boxes as possible.
In a highly competitive, increasingly lucrative market focused on social media, connectivity and instant entertainment, it’s possible Microsoft is trying too hard to please the new generation of multimedia consumers and not enough to satisfy the loyal customers who have forked over hard-earned cash for years.
And it’s cash that’s needed to purchase the ultimate multifunctory device with a hefty price tag to match. A set price has yet to be announced, but faithful gamers can tentatively pre-order Xbox One for a whopping £600 on Amazon, though the actual price is likely to be closer to £399. That’s a lot of money for a lot of additional extras that many gamers have indicated they don’t want or need.
In an age when our phones are easily as powerful as some computers, it is clear to see Xbox One isn’t just competing against other consoles any more – it’s every gadget out there.
Which makes it all the stranger that during the launch event Microsoft said that the television is still “the most important screen” in the house, a view many consumers may contest, given the inexorable rise of tablets, laptops and smartphones.
Only time will tell how Xbox One will be received, and how the revolt of the gamer market faithful will affect the way huge tech companies like Microsoft respond to the wants and needs of their market. take advantage of our 4G service when it’s launched from the summer, we have a number of compatible handsets available.
“We would encourage any customer to check the features and specifications of a mobile they are interested in buying to ensure it fully meets their expectations.” l If youhaveaconsumerissue thatyouwouldliketackling, contactJaneBradleyon0131620 8432ore-mailjane.bradley@ scotsman.com.
3Ds Xl Launched with much fanfare due to its dual 3D screens which do not require the user to don awkward 3D glasses, the 3DS XL succeeded the wildly successful 3DS, the natural evolution of Nintendo’s bestselling hand-held console the GameBoy – 31.09 million people can’t be wrong. Nintendo 3DS XL console, £139.99 from amazon.co.uk
IPaD mINI Not a games console in the conventional sense, but downloadable apps are a growing part of the gaming market. A smaller, more portable and affordable version of the iPad, the mini offers users the chance to play the much-loved Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja and Plants versus Zombies games on the move. Who knows, you might even get a little work done while you’re at it. iPad mini 16GB, £258.99 from amazon.co.uk