Features
Short and sweet, this area was dominated by Microsoft. Their entire conference was dedicated to new features and apps like the live TV functions and voice command. Microsoft aimed centred their 2 hours around the Xbox One being an all-in-one, (pun intended), entertainment system, so apps were a pretty big deal. The live TV looks really cool, especially when worked with voice commands, but as Microsoft has said, will only be available in the US upon launch, with the intention of worldwide functionality eventually. That sucks and for someone from Ireland I dont see it reaching here for quite some time. Despite this, functions like watching NFL and the system showcasing your fantasy league in a side bar is awesome. They also showed the ability to watch movies and Skype at the same time, something that seemed pointless to me as Id never do that but it was of course Microsofts way of showing what they can do. With every new TV/movie/internet related feature they showcased I kept thinking, Whoa, thats really coolfor a TV. Not exactly what I want in a
gaming system but cool nonetheless.
Sony didnt spend too much time talking about features, which Im sure there are many of. They discussed Gaikai, their exclusive cloud-based gaming system which is meant to be great but Ill admit I know little about it to date. They were also keen to discuss the PS4s improved cross-play with the PS Vita, which can function as a peripheral for the PS4, much like the Wii Us tablet and Microsoft Smartglass. They difference here is that many PS3 owners will already own a Vita and this will simply be a nice add-on, those who have yet to get Vitas or like the idea of the peripheral will buy one, it isnt a core function like the Wii-U tablet. A new feature, which will be very interesting to use first hand, is the PS4s capability to allow friends to watch you play a game, as well as allowing one gamer to take the reins of another gamers controller, from their own home, and play through sections of the game. These are intriguing new features of the PS4 that could be really fun to play out. They also showcased their fancy new share button which allows gamers to capture the last 15 minutes of game footage, edit or screenshot it and upload it to the web, again connecting their Playstation universe. The only other area Sony discussed was the PS4s relevance to social networking. Sony did talk about several new features that have lots of potential and look great but they didnt spend too much time discussing these aspects of the PS4, it wasnt central to Sonys message for the evening, though were sure to see more of them over the next few months. Microsoft definitely won this area, focusing on apps for almost the entirety of the conference and constantly referring to the Xbox One as an entertainment system, rather than gaming device. Whether you liked this or not is a different thing.