More rumors on the next-gen Xbox (aka Xbox 720) emerged Wednesday with a report that Microsoft will use its acquisition of Skype to power communications between players on Xbox LIVE.
Microsoft will be "consolidating all their communications technology" around the Skype platform according to a source with UK gaming site CVG.
The move would not be surprising if true as Microsoft spent $8.5 billion to acquire Skype and all of its video, voice and text chat technology. Additionally, the company began migrating users off its MSN Messenger service last November in favor of Skype.
Another clue that CVG points out for Skype powering Xbox LIVE chat is a recent job listing for a user interface designers that reads, "The team you'll join is responsible for Skype in the living room (broadly the home), across various devices but with a focus on the large screen and the next generation of Xbox."
The Xbox 720 is expected to be launched sometime this fall. Baird analyst Colin Sebastian recently predicted that the PS4 will launch this October followed by the Xbox 720 in November. Both are expected to arrive with starting prices in the $350 to $400 range according to Sebastian. It's possible that we will see announcements for both prior to E3 in June.
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Via: CVG
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