2016 may unexpectedly end up being a major year for new video game hardware. Nintendo’s NX is almost certainly coming out in 2016, there are rumors Sony is prepping a souped-up PlayStation 4.5, and now evidence has surfaced that Microsoft may be planning some sort of new Xbox One models.
Eagle-eyed fans on NeoGAF recently spotted two new Microsoft-submitted FCC filings for products carrying the ID numbers 1682 and 1683. The FCC regulates all technology that transmits data in the U.S., which includes the wireless adapters inside all modern consoles. The wireless adapter for the Xbox One was registered with the FCC under the product ID number 1525.
So, Microsoft has some sort of new data-transmitting hardware in the works, but that could be anything! They could be making a WiFi-enabled toaster for all we know. Well, those clever NeoGAF kids dug deep into the documentation Microsoft submitted along with their filing for mystery product 1683. In that documentation, they found reference to a “User Manual 1525,” the same number attached to the original Xbox One.
What’s that mean? Well, speculation is product 1683 is an updated version of the Xbox One, and User Manual 1525 is some sort of basic safety manual, reused from the original Xbox One. Interestingly, product 1682 does not make reference to User Manual 1525 indicating it might be more than just a minor Xbox One revamp.
This is all conjecture of course, but rumors have been swirling for some time that Microsoft is prepping some sort of cheaper, sleeker “Xbox One Slim.” Could they also be working on a powered-up Xbox One-Point-Five? Xbox head Phil Spencer seemingly shot that down recently, but if both Nintendo and Sony are upgrading this year, Microsoft may be forced to add some extra horsepower or get left in the dust.
According to the FCC filings, the exact nature of products 1682 and 1683 will be revealed on June 25 and 29 respectively. That’s only a couple weeks after this week’s E3. Hmm, seems like this year’s show is going to be one to watch.
What do you think these filings hint at, if anything? Would a slimmed-down, or possibly powered-up, Xbox One convince you to give the console a shot?
via GamesRadar