SAN FRANCISCO: Microsoft’s new Xbox One console will go on sale Nov. 22 in 13 launch countries, the US tech giant said Wednesday.
The company had previously said the entertainment and gaming console would be available sometime in November.
In June, Microsoft said the launch would be in 21 countries, but last month cut that back to 13, saying the plan had been too ambitious.
“We are humbled and gratified by the tremendous interest in Xbox One from game fans everywhere,” said Microsoft vice president Yusuf Mehdi in a blog post.
“We have sold out of our pre-order supply in the US faster than at any other time in our history and we are on path to have the biggest launch of an Xbox ever. We look forward to celebrating with millions and millions of gamers this holiday.”
Mehdi said that because of the high demand, Microsoft was adding a “limited number of additional Xbox One Day One consoles for pre-order.”
He also said that the processor speed of the device would be increased about 10 percent to 1.75 gigahertz, on top of the six percent boost from the earlier version.
” It means that the Xbox One will have that much more power for developers to make their games and entertainment really shine,” he added.
The 13 markets to get the Xbox One in November will be Australia, Austria, Brazil, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Spain, the United States and New Zealand.
The successor to the Xbox 360 will be available for $499 in the United States, £429 in Britain and 499 euros in Europe.
The beefed-up console is powered by software that allows for instant switching between games, television, and Internet browsing. Microsoft-owned Skype was also integrated for online group video calls.
Kinect motion and sound sensing accessories accompanying the consoles recognize users, respond instantly to commands spoken in natural language, and even detect a person’s pulse.
Microsoft’s new console will compete against Sony’s new PlayStation 4, which also promises to combine its film, music, television and games in a home entertainment box. It is due to be released later this year as well.
Microsoft sets Nov. 22 for Xbox One launch
Microsoft sets Nov. 22 for Xbox One launch
Apple to update EU browser options, make more apps deletable
- iPhone maker came under pressure from regulators to make changes after the EU’s sweeping Digital Markets Act took effect on March 7
- Apple users will be able to select a default browser directly from the choice screen after going through a mandatory list of options
STOCKHOLM: Apple will change how users choose browser options in the European Union, add a dedicated section for changing default apps, and make more apps deletable, the company said on Thursday.
The iPhone maker came under pressure from regulators to make changes after the EU’s sweeping Digital Markets Act took effect on March 7, forcing big tech companies to offer mobile users the ability to select from a list of available web browsers on a “choice screen.”
The new rules require mobile software makers to show the choice screen where users can select a browser, search engine and virtual assistant as they set up their phones, which earlier came with preferred options from Apple and Google.
In an update later this year, Apple users will be able to select a default browser directly from the choice screen after going through a mandatory list of options.
A randomly ordered list of 12 browsers per EU country will be shown to the user with short descriptions, and the chosen one will be automatically downloaded, Apple said. The choice screen will also be available on iPads through an update later this year.
Apple released a previous update in response to the new rules in March, but browser companies criticized the design of its choice screen, and the Commission opened an investigation on March 25 saying it suspected that the measures fell short of effective compliance.
The company said it has been in dialogue with the European Commission and believes the new changes will address regulators’ concerns.
It also plans to introduce a dedicated area for default apps where a user will be able to set defaults for messaging, phone calls, spam filters, password managers and keyboards.
Users will also be able to delete certain Apple-made apps such as App Store, Messages, Camera, Photos and Safari. Only Settings and Phone apps would not be deletable.
