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 Linda Thomas
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Linda is the morning news anchor and features reporter for KIRO Radio. This is her local news blog, with an emphasis on social media, technology, Northwest companies, education, parenting, and anything else that grabs her attention.

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Halo_msft_image.jpg
Microsoft estimates gamers have spent more than 3.3 billion hours playing Halo games for their Xbox. (Photo courtesy Microsoft)

A new Microsoft Xbox is planned for the end of 2013

November 30, 2012 @ 7:26 am (Updated: 8:50 am - 11/30/12 )

Microsoft is reportedly coming out with a new Xbox game console next year, two years ahead of schedule.

The next Xbox is planned for Christmas of 2013, according to Bloomberg.

Microsoft won't say anything about it. But in the past they said they didn't expect to have a new version of the Xbox until 2015 so gamers everywhere will be happy to hear this.

The Xbox 360, which came out in 2005, has been one of Microsoft's solid success stories.

As of September of this year, 70 million Xbox 360 consoles have been sold worldwide.

By LINDA THOMAS

More from Linda Thomas

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Comments (15)


  • Add A Comment

  • jumonkan wrote...
    Not just guys
    November 30, 2012 7:51 am
    I routinely play online with Female gamers. The gaming demograhpic is not just young guys infact the demographic is shifting in America from 19-35 year old men to include women 16-27. So it's not just young guys on the couch and in their parent's basements. I own my own business and I'm a single Dad finishing a Bachulars of Science at Purdue this fall.
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  • Stevebo wrote...
    Hey now Linda... I don't live in a basement... ;)
    November 30, 2012 7:58 am
    I'm 42 and a working professional (with a masters degree no less!)... and... I own an x-box.

    Though in fairness, I know that your comments were likely tongue in cheek.

    :)
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  • TheNewsChick wrote...
    Stevebo
    November 30, 2012 8:56 am
    My news director, a gamer, was offended that I made a comment about Xboxers on their couch and living in basements playing game. Oooops, sorry. I removed that line. But the comment still stands in my mind - said the mother of a 12-year-old gamer who fears her son will live in the basement someday.
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  • O-town listener wrote...
    Linda..
    November 30, 2012 10:00 am
    Kind of like people who have no life instead trying to live a fake life on facebook and twitter by having friends they don't know, and posting updates nobody needs to know or care about?
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  • The Dude Abides wrote...
    Linda
    November 30, 2012 12:51 pm
    Don't worry too much. Most gamers aren't offended by the sentiment. It's a stigma that's followed us since the days of Atari and Nintendo, and we're used to it by now. However, we are working hard to change the culture so that we are viewed differently. Most of us are productive members of society with families of our own now. Just remember to tell your gamer son that gaming, just like everything else in life, is good in moderation, but not in excess. Maybe he won't have to learn that the hard way like so many of us did.
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  • ten4goodbuddy wrote...
    no, Dude
    November 30, 2012 1:13 pm
    Most gamers don't care what other people think about them. I could care less if you think I sit on a couch in my basement all day on a Saturday playing games, chances are you are right. Remember, gaming is a hobby for some. I know guys who spend 8+ hours chasing a little white ball all over a poorly mowed lawn all day on a Saturday. Not how I choose to spend my time.
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  • Str8Thinking wrote...
    Xbox and other consoles are moving beyond just games
    November 30, 2012 9:22 am
    In fact only about 10% of our xbox usage is games. The majority of usage is either video or audio streaming. The primary gaming is my wife using the fitness programs via kinnect.
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  • Stevebo wrote...
    Actually, Str8Thining raises a fanstatick point..
    November 30, 2012 11:37 am
    And Linda, you may actually be interested in this...

    I was at a friend's house the other week (they work for Microsoft too). They had a copy of a National Geographic disc that showed a program about a man that has a Grizzly Bear that he raised from a cub... but he is a naturalist.

    The disc was an educational program about Bears - but had interactive features in it that used the Kinnect device where you could actually become a bear (you had a bear head and bear paws) while you learned things such as how Grizzly Bears eat moths certain months.

    I swear it's a BRILLIANT concept - and a fabulous way to create more interactive programs between technology, games, and learning.

    You really should look into it Linda! It could make a great story I think.

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  • Stevebo wrote...
    Man, I wish there was an edit feather...
    November 30, 2012 11:38 am
    Sometimes my fingers are much faster (an infinitely more inaccurate) than my brain in spelling words. *fantastic is what I meant to type.
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  • Stevebo wrote...
    Oh the irony...
    November 30, 2012 11:39 am
    *feature
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  • Stevebo wrote...
    No need for an apology Linda
    November 30, 2012 11:32 am
    I tried to put a "winkey" emoticon on my post to help show my response was also light-hearted in nature.

    I do tend to smirk at the stereotype of the typical gamer though.

    I didn't get the impression that you were trying to insult anyone. So no worries.

    And in relation to the story... luckily for me I have an inside source at Microsoft where I can keep myself updated on the progress.

    I know it will be tough for the x-box group at Microsoft to push this product out in a year, but with WiiU now out, Microsoft will be smart to make sure to keep up with the evolving gaming market.

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  • ten4goodbuddy wrote...
    Stevebo
    November 30, 2012 1:08 pm
    who doesn't have an inside source at Microsoft? That's like saying you have thumbs...
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  • Stevebo wrote...
    Well...
    November 30, 2012 2:01 pm
    I would imagine plenty of people don't have inside sources on the x-box team. ;)

    After all, there are only so many x-box platform employees.

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  • Booger Barnes wrote...
    Xbox
    November 30, 2012 12:52 pm
    I sure hope Microsoft doesnt forget to install the infamous red ring of death in the new version. It would be a shame to not have to deal with their tech support.
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  • ten4goodbuddy wrote...
    I've lost
    November 30, 2012 1:10 pm
    3 xbox 360s to the rings. Nothing like running your unit in a towel to make it work correctly! In all seriousness though, it created a great bonding Saturday with my son as I showed him how to re-thermal the CPUGPU on is girl friends Xbox, plus I'm sure he got some action because of it!
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