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Microsoft set to launch Xbox Lite in 2013

360 sees a shrink

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Microsoft plans to cash in further on its current-gen console tech through the launch of the Xbox Lite, a smaller, inexpensive version of the 360, it has been claimed.

Renowned Microsoft speculator, MS Nerd, provided details about the Xbox Lite last week and has been quick to reply in depth to questions posted on the Reddit.com forum.

Xbox 360 250GB

Downsizing again?

The new ARM-based 360 model will apparently launch in late 2013 for roughly £100, with a true successor to the Xbox 360 set to follow shortly after.

The same source reckons there will be a major Kinect refresh in 2015 as well.

A mini Xbox rumour was one the leak-extraordinaire talked up last year, claiming the Xbox Loop - as it was then known - would be cheaper than the 360 and further enable Kinect adoption.

"It will also demonstrate how Windows Phone could possibly implement Win9's dev platform on the lower end," moles said.

One thing we do know for sure is that Microsoft will not discuss its next-gen Xbox consoles at E3 this year. ®

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Re: Yay

Are those big bullies at MS holding a gun to your head, forcing you to buy it? Quit whinging and let the market sort it out - game consoles are hardly life & death.

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ARM based 360???

I'm sorry but how is an ARM CPU supposed to stand in for the 360's PowerPC based Xenon CPU? It's not going to happen is it? The instruction set is wrong and there's blatantly not going to be enough horsepower for emulation.

Reading the original rumour it's clearly a Windows on ARM powered set top box with Kinect compatibility and built-in apps like Netflix, not a slimmed down, backwards compatible Xbox 360.

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Re: ARM based 360???

Agreed. I call bullsh*t on this rumor.

A new platform based on WOA could be of value for those looking for multimedia and light gaming for a low cost of entry. It won't run Xbox 360 games but quite a few could be ported quickly that were done in XNA.

I expect there is a considerable market for whom the Xbox is overkill but they'd like some of what it does for the right price.

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