If the information circulating the internet is to be believed, then Microsoft hasn't pulled the plug on the upcoming streaming-focused Xbox. At E3 2019, Microsoft shed a little light on its upcoming next-generation console Scarlet, and the specs revealed are very similar to those of the PS5. You can check out our comparison of the two consoles here. Around the same time, it was also speculated that Microsoft had pulled the plug on the base variant of the upcoming console targeted at streaming.
In a new video published by Brad Sams, he says that the streaming box is "still being actively developed" by Microsoft. Evidently, Brad Sams has a good track record of revealing information about Microsoft's product developments. However we suggest you take the news with a hint of salt.
According to the source, the new box will make streaming a little bit better when compared to the experience on a smart TV or any other app. He said that the box would have a "marginal amount of compute" to help with gameplay elements like movement, etc. The bulk of the processing would be taken care of by the xCloud server.
It is also suggested that the Microsoft xCloud streaming device could be priced as low as $60, or about $80 with a controller. This device will be aimed to take on the launch Google Stadia bundle currently, which is priced at $130 for a Chromecast Ultra and a controller along with a three-month subscription. You can check out our FAQ about Google stadia here.
It isn’t clear when the streaming-focused Xbox console will be launched. Microsoft did say at E3 2019 that current Xbox One users could use their consoles as xCloud servers and that this feature would be available for free for console owners. The next generation console war is heating up and both Microsoft and Sony are expected to launch their next-gen consoles for the holiday season of 2020.