It is highly speculated that Microsoft is cooking up something with its video game console. Fans are expecting that a slimmer version of the Xbox One will be announced at the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo or E3 2016, which will be happening next month.
GameRant reported that a "lightweight Xbox One" may be released by the end of the year. According to their source, a Microsoft blogger named Brad Sams, a new Xbox One model will have no physical disc drive and will only work for digital downloading.
Sam reportedly said, "I have heard from internal sources that the company is considering plans for a lightweight Xbox One that may only be for Windows store games and would compete with the Apple TV. But it's not clear if these plans have been scrapped."
The report also mentioned that prior to the release of the Xbox One, a similar idea filled the rumor mill back then. Fans were not quite ready with a disc-less drive video game console and the plan was set aside for the meantime. This might be the same concept that the company will turn into reality. Plus, it may also be priced slightly lower than the options available in the market, lower than US$350.
Phil Spencer, the Xbox division head, will definitely take the helm when the company makes its conference call at the E3 on Monday, June 13 at 12:30 p.m. EST. However, it is not yet sure if the alleged slimmer console will be there or it will just be their games appearing. There are also speculations on "Halo" and "Gears of War 4" announcements.
It is also rumored that the so-called "Xbox One Slim" may represent a low-end video game console, and with the Xbox 360's production in full stop, there is now a gap that needs to be filled. Another speculation going around is the possibility to challenge the Apple TV and that the alleged small-form factor console will come with a new controller that will be non-gamer friendly but will still be able to accommodate the existing game controllers.
The E3 2016 will be open to the public from June 14 to 16 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
