Xbox One Reveal: Three Operating Systems, One Console

Probably one of the most exciting features announced during the Xbox One reveal this evening was made right at the beginning. While breaking down the Xbox One in terms of specifications, it was revealed that the new console would feature three operating systems, which go a long way to ensuring that the One will be far more than your average console.

On top of the required Xbox OS, the One will include a kernel of Windows, which is the backbone of the consoles multi-tasking functionality. This was one of the more impressive features announced tonight, basically allowing Xbox One users to multitask in various ways while not interrupting their gaming, movies or music. With simple voice commands via the Kinect, users can bring up Internet Explorer on the side of the screen, start music in the background or switch between TV, Game or Movies in mere seconds. It makes perfect sense for a company that distributes the world’s most popular OS, and it’s certainly something over Sony at this point.

This Windows Kernel will also allow various Windows applications to work on the console, such as Skype. This has an interesting number of possibilities fir the future, as Microsoft can now centralize development on apps instead of having to split the company down the middle in order to cater for two operating systems.

The third OS allows the Windows kernel and Xbox OS to communicate with each other, as the kernel will be run virtually and simultaneously with the Xbox OS.

It’s a logical and really, really smart move on Microsoft’s part. I’m just interested to see how the Xbox One will interact with Windows based PC’s.

Name: Alessandro Barbosa
Location: Johannesburg
Position: Ex-Editor, News

Alessandro has published 1939 posts. Read all of Alessandro's posts.

• Email Me
• My RSS Feed
• Follow Me On Twitter