[Nirolak]

Thanks to TheOddOne for finding this.

The next Xbox will be a matt-black media hub with a mission to bring games to life in your living room with augmented reality, directional sound, and a four-player finger-tracking Kinect. We told you all that last month. This month, our sources tell us it will have a touchscreen, too. Microsoft are experimenting with a tablet-like controller with a shape closer to Sony's sleek Vita handheld / Apple's iPad than Wii U's bulky unit - it's an HD screen surrounded by the traditional 360 buttons and sticks. On 360 that touchscreen will be second only to Kinect in how you operate your console. It could be a remote control when you're watching TV, a browser when you're on the internet, extra buttons and information when playing a game or a portable display when you want to take your game with you. .. Expect to see the next Xbox at E3 this June.

Source: It's in the magazine. There's a bit more to the article, but it's just speculation that this sounds rather expensive.

[NIGHT-]

First Sony tablet rumors and now this? I hope it's not true

[Broadbandito]

just give me a regular controller, FUCK

[Rezbit]

999 U.S Dollars.

[Piercedveil]

just give me a regular controller, FUCK

correct response.

[Souldriver]

Sony and MS not wanting to be caught with their pants down like they were this gen? Or simply baseless rumoring?

Stay tuned, as we'll find out in the next 12 months.

[BY2K]

It has begun.

[legacyzero]

MS would be stupid to not show this system this year. Are they seriously going to let Nintendo steal the show?

[dragonlife]

*Sigh*

[Dabanton]

The controller is almost perfect where would they place a screen?

[Vic]

Wouldn't be shocked if it's the truth.

edit:

keyword: experimenting.

[Super Smash Bro]

First thought: awesome, the controller screen has been awesome since the Dreamcast.

Second thought: awesome, less excuse not to port to Wii U (they still won't though)

Third thought: eh, I'm not buying another Microsoft console, so whatever.

[chubigans]

I don't even know what to think anymore.

[BruiserBear]

I don't believe this rumor is very credible.

[JasonMCG]

Nintendo better have more tricks up it sleeve than just a controller with a screen if this is true.

[outunderthestars]

Won't hate on it until I see how they plan on utilizing it. If I can have a secondary screen instead of having to fill my tv screen with HUD and menus I am ok with it.

I'd still rather see companion apps for games that work on ios/android/W8 devices than a heavier, more complicated controller.

[clemenx]

Microsoft are experimenting with a tablet-like controller with a shape closer to Sony's sleek Vita handheld / Apple's iPad than Wii U's bulky unit - it's an HD screen surrounded by the traditional 360 buttons and sticks.

Vita I can see but how's the WiiU tablet bulkier than the iPad?

[ElTopo]

Second thought: awesome, less excuse not to port to Wii U (they still won't though)

That's cute, but I think you're severely underestimating the publisher's/developer's ability to make up excuses.

On topic:
Why ? If you're launching (presumably) after Nintendo, why come up with the same gimmick ? Nextbox sounds a bit like a clusterfuck to me, as if they're simply throwing everything they can come up with at it (Kinect/finger detection/tablet controller/maybe media center/maybe no used games).

[GavinGT]

Why are people just assuming this crap is true?

[Instro]

Nintendo better have more tricks up it sleeve than just a controller with a screen if this is true.

Releasing 1-2 years in advance perhaps.

[The Hermit]

it's an HD screen surrounded by the traditional 360 buttons and sticks

?

[Wiseblade]

First Sony tablet rumors and now this? I hope it's not true

just give me a regular controller, FUCK

correct response.

*Sigh*

And people complain that the industry is stale and repetitive...

[Hiltz]

MS would be stupid to not show this system this year. Are they seriously going to let Nintendo steal the show?

Microsoft should worry less about Nintendo and instead focus on how its conference won't suck at E3 again.

[Green Slime]

Sony and MS not wanting to be caught with their pants down like they were this gen? Or simply baseless rumoring? Stay tuned, as we'll find out in the next 12 months.

According to the magazine, we'll fine out in a few months, come E3.

[TheOddOne]

*Dreamcast controller*

That's the first thing I thought of when I read it too.

[GavinGT]

Why are people just assuming this crap is true? Confidence in the Wii U is at an all-time low.

[Postman]

I wouldn't doubt it. Now for threads from crazed fanboys about MS patented it 30 years ago,

[Tookay]

Nintendo better have more tricks up it sleeve than just a controller with a screen if this is true.

Well, they have their franchises in HD...

[EDarkness]

I wouldn't be surprised if this turned out to be true. I don't think anyone should be surprised, to be honest.

[GregLombardi]

Anyone who thought this wasn't the case was living in la-la land IMO. Will be interesting to see if it is true, but a tablet controller was clearly the next logical step for home consoles. Whether it was Nintendo that sparked the move or Microsoft's internal R&D...who knows? All I know is it makes a hell of a lot of sense for all manufacturers.

[The_Monk]

I wonder if I'm the only one that, regarding the PS4 and the next Xbox all I want is:

The console itself.
One controller.

[dream]

I'm not really sure what the problem is here. Aren't natural interfaces a good thing?

[Lord Ghirahim]

Confidence in the Wii U is at an all-time low.

It is?

[speedpop]

Why are people just assuming this crap is true?

Who knows, but it would be hilarious if it was all true. The meltdowns on this very thread would rival Mount Vesuvius blowing up.

Everyone does what Nintendoes.

[V_Ben]

This thing is sounding more and more like some kind of swiss army knife of games with all these rumours. Crikey.

[StevieP]

The additional cost of a screened controller could certainly explain the most recent dev kit leaks.

The Wii U controller looks uncomfortable to me.

Looks but isn't.

[Sho_Nuff82]

If all 3 manufacturers do this, is that actually good or bad for Apple?

" The additional cost of a screened controller could certainly explain the most recent dev kit leaks."

...go on.

[purple cobra]

just give me a regular controller, FUCK

Exactly. I'm not too keen on these "tablet" style controllers. The Wii U controller looks uncomfortable to me.

[Kud Dukan]

Microsoft should worry less about Nintendo and instead focus on how its conference won't suck at E3 again.

Yes, because their shitty E3 conferences have really hurt them over the last few years.

/sarcasm

[LyleLanley]

Can't we just have a more powerful console with standard controls. Oh and I want all games to be available for download the same day they're available at retail.

[Dabanton]

If the controller kept the form of the 360 controller i would be ok with it just with a VMU style screen in the middle of it.

[Kaako]

I think it would be pretty entertaining if this rumor became true, but it won't. I just wanna see shit hit the fans.

[legacyzero]

Microsoft should worry less about Nintendo and instead focus on how its conference won't suck at E3 again.

Actually. You're right. Consider me corrected lol.

Last few E3's have been just plain horrible.

[Skiesofwonder]

Why are people just assuming this crap is true? Confidence in the Wii U is at an all-time low.

Yeah unlike Wii which had a TON of confidence before E3 2006.

[rpmurphy]

Next gen controllers to be sized for bear hands.

[V_Ben]

If the controller kept the form of the 360 controller i would be ok with it just with a VMU style screen in the middle of it.

Yeah, if we basically replace the 360 button and move start/select, that would be an interesting design. What I get the feeling we're going to get is a Vita as a controller, with cameras all over the place.

[Sho_Nuff82]

Yes, because their shitty E3 conferences have really hurt them over the last few years.

But without a good conference, how will people know what good.games to buy every year? What's that? MS spends hundreds of millions of dollars a year advertising games? That's cheating!

[Recarpo]

I'm not really looking forward to $80+ price for next gen controllers if this turns out to be true...

[GeoramA]

Next-Gen = Worst-Gen, if this is all true.

[Liamario]

I can be excited for this, as long as the touch screen done in the same monstrous style as WiiU.

I'm thinking Vita size screen and an ergonomically fantastic controller built around it.