Xbox 360 (Xbox 360)Rumor: Microsoft Plans Blu-ray 360, Due In May!Smarthouse - February 17, 2008
Submitted by starship (297)
at 8:46PM PST on February 17, 2008
Rumours were circulating today that Microsoft is set to dump HD DVD and bring out a Blu ray Xbox 360 by as early as May 2008. The move will allow the Company to go head to head with the Sony PS3 gaming console which has been credited with being one of the main reasons that retailers have preferred Blu ray over Toshiba’s HD DVD.
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I don't think MS would release a built in Bluray 360 anytime soon, as I previously indicated. I only think they would release a built in Bluray 360 if PS3 sales take off and leave 360 in the dust. If MS releases a built in BR 360 at a cheaper price than a PS3, they would be able to steal sales from PS3.
As I said, I could see MS doing a Bluray attachment for 360, perhaps even using the same casing that was used for their HDDVD attachment with the hardware changes & small cosmetic changes to differentiate it from the HDDVD one. This will allow MS to show that the 360 is just as technically capable as PS3 in the eyes of mainstream society.
I don't think they will change their download prices and even if they did how is the avg consumer going to know when they walk into a store and look at gaming hardware. A Bluray attachment would only be used by MS for image & to bolster the 360 specs for the avg crowd, while allowing them to make a little bit of spare pocket change.
Their download service will still remain their #1 priority regarding movies/TV, but that may not prevent them from trying to succeed/win on all fronts.