Xbox One S (slim) and Xbox Project Scorpio (VR 4K) confirmed

[The Hand]

Xbox One S (slim) and Xbox Project Scorpio (VR 4K) confirmed by Microsoft's Phil Spencer at E3:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...d-release-date

http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/e3

XBox One S available in August 2016
XBox Project Scorpio available in Hols 2017

Some interesting exclusives announced too such as Sea of Theives. Phil looked pleased at the end of the presentation, allowing himself a fist pump!

[jimbouk]

Guess that means they weren't able to update the firmware on the xbone then? Hoping Sony can pull that one off and save me needing another device plugged into my TV just for Netflix.

[MrRockliffe]

I would assume it's more to do with the fact the XBOX One doesn't support HDMI 2.0a rather than a firmware issue. If the PS4 has the same issue, it'll also need a refresh.

[jimbouk]

I would assume it's more to do with the fact the XBOX One doesn't support HDMI 2.0a rather than a firmware issue. If the PS4 has the same issue, it'll also need a refresh.

Yeah, but there was hope after they managed to do a firmware update on the PS3 to support 3d blueray output that they'd manage to pull the same trick for 4k:

PS4 And Xbox One: 4K Streaming Support For HDMI 2.0 May Be Possible Via A Patch?

Both consoles currently support the HDMI 1.4a standard fully, which does, in fact, support the Ultra HD or 4K resolution. The bad news is that the max data rate provided by HDMI 1.4a is limited to 30 Hz, which means that 4K 60 Hz TV owners are left out in the cold. At the same time, North American movies are displayed in 24 Hz, so a 4K 30 Hz limitation is not necessarily a deal killer.

In addition, it may be possible that a PS4 and Xbox One update could provide a HDMI 2.0a software update, which offers 4K 60 Hz support (or 2160p60) and deeper color space among other features. According to the official HDMI website, both HDMI 2.0a and 1.4a connectors share the same 19 physical pins, and as such “existing HDMI connectors [and cables] will still be used.” Some TV manufacturers have already provided HDMI 2.0 software updates, although the HDMI organization admits that a firmware update is “dependent on manufacturers and their system designs.”

This probably means that a 4K patch for the Xbox One or PlayStation 4 will still be limited to 4K 30 Hz based upon hardware limitations. There are other technical issues like HDCP 2.2 support, which Netflix 4K requires for their copyright protection standard. High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) 4K support by both the 4K TV and the consoles is another issue, but a Xbox One patch added 10-bit HEVC decoding support during the summer, and the PS4 also offers limited HEVC support.

But that's last years rumours. Maybe they could do it but chose not to to flog more consoles?