7

Add to My News

Story by Stephany Nunneley

Sat, Mar 06, 2010 | 18:23 GMT

Ballmer hints around about future forms of Xbox 360, talks cloud

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has been chatting again, and you know what that means – speculative Xbox 360 talk.

This time, it has to do with new forms of the console, along with changing price points.

Speaking at the University of Washington during a Q&A session, Ballmer had the following to say regarding the topic of large-screen televisions and Microsoft’s hardware strategy:

“For that big screen device … there’s no diversity. You get exactly the Xboxes that we build for you. We may have more form factors in the future that are designed for various price points and options, but we think it’s going to [be] important.”

Some sites, like Engadget, suggest he may be talking slimmer versions of the console or one with Natal built right in.

We’re unsure what he meant exactly, but what we are sure about is that cloud gaming is part of Microsoft’s future.

That bit from the man himself, cannot be denied or construed into something else.

“A year from now… 90 percent [of Microsoft employees would be working in the cloud] and is the bet, if you will, for our company,” he said. “[It'll] create opportunities for all the folks in [the] room to do important research and build important projects.”

Comments like this mirror one made by Neil Thompson back in January, when he said that MS will be “an active participant” in the cloud movement.

As far as multiple skus and price points are concerned – just remember- the console is not even at the midpoint yet and has a long future ahead of it, according to Microsoft.