Edge

Microsoft’s next console will require an Internet connection in order to function, ruling out a second-hand game market for the platform. A new iteration of Xbox Live will be an integral part of Microsoft’s next console, while improved Kinect hardware will also ship alongside the unit.

Sources with first-hand experience of Microsoft’s next generation console have told us that although the next Xbox will be absolutely committed to online functionality, games will still be made available to purchase in physical form. Next Xbox games will be manufactured on 50GB-capacity Blu-ray discs, Microsoft having conceded defeat to Sony following its ill-fated backing of the HD-DVD format. It is believed that games purchased on disc will ship with activation codes, and will have no value beyond the initial user.

Our source has also confirmed that the next Xbox’s recently rumoured specs are entirely accurate. That means an AMD eight-core x64 1.6GHz CPU, a D3D11.x 800MHz graphics solution and 8GB of DDR3 RAM. As of now, the console’s hard drive capacity is said to be undecided, but Microsoft’s extended commitment to online delivery suggests that it will be the largest unit it has put inside a console to date.

Though the architectures of the next-gen Xbox and PlayStation both resemble that of PCs, several development sources have told us that Sony’s solution is preferable when it comes to leveraging power. Studios working with the next-gen Xbox are currently being forced to work with only approved development libraries, while Sony is encouraging coders to get closer to the metal of its box. Furthermore, the operating system overhead of Microsoft’s next console is more oppressive than Sony’s equivalent, giving the PlayStation-badged unit another advantage.

Unlike Nintendo, Microsoft is continuing to invest heavily in motion-control interfaces, and a new, more reliably responsive Kinect will also ship alongside the next Xbox. Sony’s next-generation console camera system is said to have a similar set of features, and is expected to be discussed at the company’s PlayStation event on February 20.

http://www.edge-online.com/news/the-next-xbox-always-online-no-second-hand-games-50gb-blu-ray-discs-and-new-kinect/

No used games? People are not going to like that.
If it comes with Kinect either MS will lose a lot of money per console or the price isn`t going to be cheap... again.

For Microsoft's sake I hope none of the above is true

No used games, no sale

Seems like 3rd console curse strikes again

Always online? Does that mean if you connection goes down you can't play?

I hope that isn't true.

If this is accurate (I have my doubts) and they decide to go that route, they have already lost this gen.

This rumor refuses to die...is that because there´s some truth to it?...scary.

I hope this isn't true! The always online would be more of a stumbling block for me than no used games.

This sounds like the most terrible console ever. I think they're finishing last this gen regardless, but if this happens then they'd be lucky to sell Gamecube numbers.

If this is true, then screw you Microsoft. I don't need a console constantly leeching off my internet, (and what if my connection goes own or is unstable?) and having to buy everything new will be a real pain.
I was probably going to get the Nextbox too. :( I still might if this turns out to be untrue.