I was just reading a thread by Jaywood and lead me to this topic (which isn't a new idea either)...

IS THERE VALUE IN BUYING THE XB1?

The problem with most people that frequent these forums is that they are true gamers.  They can only think of one thing they want out of their console = Gaming.  M$ has zoomed out and said that if they build a box that hooks to the TV, what else can it do?  It can be a Media center with very little effort.  It can be a fitness trainer/tracker.  It can be a portal to the internet.  It can be a game system.  Voice/Hands Free control for your tv.  It can be a video conferencing set up. It can be a fantasy football heaven.   Etc...  Now, if you were to go buy individual machines or add ons to do these things it could cost well over a thousand in some cases maybe 2 thousand or more.  To me, that is a lot of value for the money.

  The hang up for most gamers in these forums seems to be that they can't seem to accept that if they don't want to use the other features, they don't have to.  Are they paying for them anyway?  In some ways they are($100 price difference from the PS4 or $200 to the WiiU).  But the same happens anytime you buy pretty much anything.  Even the PS4 has things that we don't really need to play games.  Almost everything we buy now has 5 or 6 extra things that it does.  Try to buy a simple can opener...  I look at the PS4 right out of the box and say that it does most of what the XB1 does - gaming, basic internet, some media features(netflix, blu ray,etc..). So I am not saying that the XB1 is the only option, especially if you add on the camera to the PS4.

If you want a gaming only type system, get a steambox.  If you want something a little more, get a WiiU.  If you want a little more, get a PS4.  If you want a little more, get a XB1.  All have different price points and offer slightly different capabilities. 

So, to me it is obvious that the XB1 is well worth the $500 to buy it. 

I see a big difference in the Media center as you see it.  A media center has HDMI pass through and allows with IR blaster to control your whole entertainment center(with voice or motion controls no less).  There isn't a $50 device that does that - Probably more in the $300-$1000+.  The Fitness trainer is free the first year and we don't know the cost after that, but the cost could be $500+ if you were to include club charges and a trainer.  High def  video conferencing equipment with good audio/mic systems are $300-$1000+.  Voice controls exist on some tv systems, but you have to buy a whole new $2,000+ tv to get that(and again motion controls too).   On Screen fantasy footbal options are really only available in the US for $300+ through Direct TV, and that is very limited compared to what has been shown. 

I think that most of these features can be purchased on the cheap, but they aren't really comparable in capability.  just remember, they alson get a next gen gaming system Valued at $350+ by itself.

I agree that if you look at only the Netflix/youtube angle, then your right.  But drop over to the Jaywood thread about the fitness angle.  In there people have broken down just that angle to be worth $500+ a year.  Each element of these systems will add up to $200-$500+ to be purchased by itself.

So, people that may not look at a gaming system just by itself but wouldn't mind having the capability could buy one of these systems for the alternate purpose and use the gaming too.  Take that to the general public that for the most part has an interest in gaming, but needs these other reasons to justify it to themselves.

I think the strength of most people that frequent these forums is that they're true gamers. The purpose of a video game system is to play video game software, after all. Sure, I love things like Netflix and Hulu and ESPN and internet browsing, but I'd drop them in a heartbeat to get better video game software.

The Xbox One certainly has value, anyone who says otherwise is kidding him or herself. The question is how much value does each individual put on non-gaming applications. I know a lot of people are excited about all the things you mentioned -- Skype, Kinect functionality, streaming video, etc. -- but not everyone is excited. Personally, I find the emphasis on multimedia off-putting.

I think for many people, myself included, the multimedia applications on Xbox One are superfluous. I have plenty of devices at home and in the office that recreate most of the things available on Xbox One. When I do get the system, and I'm sure I will, it will be in order to play its exclusive software, not to Skype my friends overseas and not to follow my fantasy football team.

that's a very subjective angle though.  im not in the market for a fitness program.  to me the added value is $0.00 regardless of how much it would cost me to buy each of those fitness programs.   this is the argument that many playstation fans broke out in ps3's early life cycle,.. "but a blu ray player alone is worth $800!!!". 

no matter how you try to justify it $400 or $500 is a lot of money for most households.  these are very high quality devices but far more and far more costly than most will need.   ..but don't get me wrong, i'm excited for these machines and i love the fact that they do so much more than just gaming now.  i just can't see the appeal to non-gaming households.

I am not saying that the interest in gaming is a weakness.  I am saying that when the group that frequents these forums discusses the future of these consoles, they do it with their gaming goggles on.  Your reply only supports my point.  Outside of these forums(and many in them), there are many people who will find interest in these other capabilities.