The Xbox One X vs. the original Xbox One: What’s changed?

While Project Scorpio was teased at last year’s E3, it was only yesterday that we finally got a good look at Microsoft’s latest console, now named the Xbox One X. It’s the company’s answer to Sony’s PlayStation 4 Pro, bumping up the system’s graphics capabilities while making a few other design tweaks in the process. For a better idea of all the key changes check out our chart pitting the three iterations of the Xbox One against each other, and check back later this year for our full review.

Xbox One X
Xbox One S
Xbox One (2013)
Price
$499
starts at $299
starts at $299 (originally $499)
Dimensions
300 x 240 x 60mm (11.81 x 9.45 x 2.36 inches)
295 x 230 x 65mm (11.61 x 9.06 x 2.56 inches)
333 x 274 x 79mm (13.1 x 10.8 x 3.1 inches)
Weight
3.81kg (8.4 pounds)
2.90kg (6.4 pounds)
3.2kg (7.05 pounds)
Output resolution
720p, 1080p, 4K (HDR)
720p, 1080p, 4K (HDR)
720p, 1080p
CPU
Custom AMD, 2.3 GHz 8-core
AMD Jaguar APU, 1.75 GHz 8-core
AMD Jaguar APU, 1.75 GHz 8-core
GPU
1.17 GHz, 6 TFLOP
914 MHz, 1.4 TFLOP
853 MHz, 1.3 TFLOP
RAM
12GB GDDR5
8GB DDR3
8GB DDR3
Internal storage
1TB
500GB / 1TB / 2TB
500GB / 1TB
Physical media
4K Blu-ray, DVD
4K Blu-ray, DVD
Blu-ray, DVD
WiFi
Dual band, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Dual band, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Dual band, 802.11 a/b/g/n
Wired network
10/100/1000 Ethernet
10/100/1000 Ethernet
10/100/1000 Ethernet
Ports
HDMI 2.0b, S/PDIF, USB 3.0, IR blaster
HDMI 2.0a, S/PDIF, USB 3.0, IR blaster
HDMI 1.4, S/PDIF, USB 3.0, Kinect port
Power supply
Internal
Internal
External
Controller
Redesigned wireless controller with Bluetooth support
Redesigned wireless controller with Bluetooth support
Original Xbox One wireless controller

Follow all the news from E3 2017 here!

NASA will put on a colorful cloud show for the East Coast tonight

East Coast-ers should take a look up tonight, because NASA is putting on a show. As part of an experiment to track how particles move in space, researchers are releasing bright, color-changing vapors into the sky.

A little after 9PM, scientists at Virginia’s Wallops Flight Facility will launch a sounding rocket containing 10 small canisters loaded with barium, strontium and cupric-oxide. Around five minutes after the rocket launch, the canisters will deploy and release their contents, which will form colorful clouds known as “vapor tracers.” Those clouds will let scientists on the ground track how particles move in space.

The vapors should be visible to residents living as far north as New York and as far south as North Carolina. And the clouds will range from blue- to red-hued. This launch has been postponed four times for various reasons. So, here’s hoping for an obstacle-free evening for the researchers.

For those outside of the mid-Atlantic coast, you can catch a livestream of the event here beginning at 8:30PM Eastern. The launch window is open from 9:04PM to 9:19PM Eastern with the vapors appearing between four and six minutes after launch.

Via: Motherboard

Source: NASA

Watch Ubisoft’s E3 2017 event right here at 4PM ET

The events keep on rolling here at E3 2017 and now it’s almost time for Ubisoft to take the stage. The company will make its announcements at 4PM ET/1PM PT today and you can keep it locked hear to follow the news as its announced from the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Expect some Far Cry 5 news as well as more details on Assassin’s Creed Origins. Of course, we’ll bring you all the news and analysis from the show, even if you can’t follow along live.

Follow all the latest news from E3 2017 here!

Low-grav shooter ‘LawBreakers’ comes out August 8th for $30

LawBreakers, the low-gravity team shooter made by Boss Key Productions, just got a release date for both its PC and recently-announced PS4 versions: August 8th, retailing for $30. But before then, the game will have another beta (sadly, still only for desktop) starting at noon ET on June 28th.

You ready? HERE. WE. GO.

Release date: August 8
“Rise Up” PC Beta: June 28- July 3

FULL DETAILS >> https://t.co/TaSP1HXR2z pic.twitter.com/rV1EfbZpaK

— LawBreakers (@lawbreakers) June 12, 2017

The beta has a staggered release, letting in beta key holders for the first couple days until opening up to other players on June 30th. Players can sign up here to be selected for this and future beta periods, which might get them in on this beta’s second window. Note that this particular session is only for PC, but the site has a separate page for PS4 users to apply, suggesting a console-inclusive pre-play period might be forthcoming.

While Overwatch still dominates role-based shooter multiplayer, LawBreakers takes its explosive combat to the air with jetpacks and low-grav zones for players to zoom around. There’s some obvious Quake DNA in its gameplay, which clearly came from Boss Key Productions founder Cliff “CliffyB” Bleszinski, a key developer on the Unreal and Gears of War games. And while the studio did renege on its assertions that the game would be free-to-play, the $30 pricetag the team announced today at E3 was at least a more affordable option for a game that didn’t have a single-player mode.

“None of that $60 multiplayer only bullshit,” Bleszinski said on stage.

LMAO! @therealcliffyb’s “No BS” curtsy! 😅 #LawBreakers #E32017 pic.twitter.com/rf8QIjGijC

— Peter Byrne (@TheRazoredEdge) June 12, 2017

Source: LawBreakers (Twitter)

Google’s smart keyboard recognizes your hand-scrawled emoji

Google’s Gboard is gaining some additional smarts that could help save some valuable typing time… even if you’re just looking for an emoji. The company has updated the Android version of its clever keyboard with a handful of features that better recognize your intentions. To start with, you can hand-draw emoji to find them — not exactly a vital feature, but helpful if you’re struggling to track down the perfect icon. While this makes more sense on Android Wear devices (where flipping through emoji lists would be a pain), we’re not going to knock the added convenience.

Besides, there’s a more practical addition: Gboard now suggests phrases while you type, not just individual words. This won’t feed you whole sentences like Gmail’s smart replies, but it’ll be helpful whenever you’re writing a common phrase (say, “what do you think?”) and want to spare yourself the effort.

There are a few minor but helpful additions as well. If you use Gboard’s signature search feature, it’ll show multiple, more interactive result cards. Google is also expanding language support to include full feature support for languages like Hawaiian, Maori and Belgian French. It’s not certain when iOS users will see these updates, but it’s really just a matter of time.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: Google, Google Play

A closer look at the Xbox One X

Here it is, in the flesh: the Xbox One X. Billed as the “world’s most powerful console,” and formerly known as “Project Scorpio,” the new member of the Xbox family has finally made its debut at E3 2017. And while Microsoft is placing huge emphasis on things like 4K/HDR gaming and that custom eight-core AMD CPU, it’s also worth noting how sleek and small the Xbox One X is. The launch model features a minimalist rectangle design with a matte black finish, complemented by a subtle touch of glittery accents throughout the console’s shell — but won’t notice them from a distance.

On the back of the Xbox One X, you’ll find the usual array of ports, including HDMI, USB, IR Out and Ethernet. Interestingly enough, there’s no way to plug in a Kinect directly into the console, but Microsoft says users will be able to use its motion sensor with a USB adapter (sold separately, of course). Above all though, it’s remarkable that Microsoft was able to stuff so much power into a console that’s smaller than the Xbox One S. We’ll have more on the Xbox One X shortly, but for now enjoy some close-up shots of Microsoft’s new $499 system.

Follow all the latest news from E3 2017 here!

‘Don’t Starve’ studio’s sci-fi RPG looks like a gritty cartoon

Klei Entertainment has been putting out quality indie games like Don’t Starve, Mark of the Ninja and Incognita for many years now. The developer has a reputation for solid, well-made titles with distinctive art styles and more than a little dark humor. It’s great news, then, to hear about the team’s latest project: Griftlands, a sci-fi-flavored RPG coming to Steam in late 2017/early 2018.

According to Klei (rhymes with play), “Griftlands is an RPG where everything is negotiable: money, loyalty—even morality. Choose your character and make your fortune.” The new trailer shows a gorgeous sci-fi world where aliens and humans cooperate and fight it out to find treasure and adventure. The reveal trailer shows off beautiful environments, including marketplaces and lush jungles. The short video also shows off combat that seems to pit teams of characters up against each other. We’re not sure if the fighting will be turn-based or real-time, however. There’s a definite Banner Saga vibe to the whole thing, too, though that may just be a function of the cartoony visuals and serious thematic matter. We’ve reached out to Klei for more and will update this post when we know more.

Source: Klei Entertainment

‘Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle’ looks like an adorable ‘XCOM’

Without a doubt, the strangest Nintendo Switch rumor to surface in recent months revolved around a crossover between Super Mario characters and Ubisoft’s screaming Rabbids mascots. It was doubted, argued over and eventually, all but confirmed by leaked game art. Let this be the final word: Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is very real. Ubisoft just announced it at E3 2017.

The game looks exactly as strange as the rumors suggested. It’s a turn based RPG starring Mario, Luigi, Peach and Yoshi as well as four Rabbids dressed up as Nintendo’s iconic characters. Weirder still? The Japanese company’s family-friendly cast of characters are all equipped with guns. Extremely silly guns, with lasers, but projectile weaponry all the same.

The game is turn-based, but it’s more of a tactical RPG than a Paper Mario-alike. Think of it as a Nintendo-friendly version of XCom: Enemy Unknown — Mario and Rabbid characters alike take turns on small battlefields where they take cover, launch tactical attacks, and equip different weapons to roue the enemy and climb skill trees. All of this is wrapped up in a bizarre, but kind of adorable mix of both franchises’ humor: the slapstick, absurdist antics of the Rabbids with Mario’s squeaky-clean good nature. It also looks like the game is going to have plenty of references too — including making Luigi’s primary weapon a vacuum cleaner. That’s kind of perfect.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is set to launch on Nintendo Switch later this summer — August 29th, specifically.

Follow all the latest news from E3 2017 here!

‘The Crew 2’ expands open-world racing to the air and sea

The middling reception to The Crew hasn’t stopped Ubisoft from making a sequel. The open-world racing franchise returns with The Crew 2, this time with planes and boats throw into the mix. You’ll be racing through ‘Motornation’, a fictional version of the United States which includes cities, forests and deserts. Think of it like Steep, Ubisoft’s action-sports adventure game, but for motorsport. One minute, you’ll be racing through New York City in a supercar, the next, you’ll be carving through a swamp in a high-speed jet boat. You can’t do the latter in Need for Speed, that’s for sure.

Follow all the latest news from E3 2017 here!

‘Transference’ wants to scare you out of ever playing VR again

Today, we look at virtual reality mostly as a means of entertainment — but the technology introduces some interesting questions. Can virtual experience be used to treat PTSD? Could it be used to create false memories? The idea of VR as a tool for “hacking” the brain seems to be the idea behind Ubisoft’s new virtual reality title, Transference. That on its own sounds interesting, but if that’s not enough, the title has star power: apparently, the game stars Elijah Wood.

It’s not the actor’s first foray into virtual reality — Wood helped Oculus win an emmy by voicing “Henry,” an adorable, VR hedgehog. Transference looks… a lot less family friendly. The game’s short trailer doesn’t reveal a lot about gameplay, but explains that it’s based around the idea of experiencing ‘recorded consciousness,’ with one character assuring the player that, while these memories seem real and terrifying, they can’t actually be harmed by them. Sure, game. We believe you.

What follows is a series of quick, dark cuts between what looks like exploration-based gameplay, and characters strapped into VR headsets in a rooms that resemble torture chambers. It looks appropriately terrifying and stepped in a narrative that takes a look at a potential (and imaginary) darker side of VR. Sadly, we don’t know much else about the game — save that it’s slated for a 2018 launch.

Follow all the latest news from E3 2017 here!