One of the
problems we’ve seen with the Xbox One since its launch late last year is the
release of products and features that haven’t really been wanted or appreciated
by the community. The obvious example of course is Kinect, which since June
when it became a standalone peripheral has practically disappeared from new big
budget games.
The latest
hardware release for Microsoft’s console is a digital TV tuner, allowing
European users to stream, pause and catch up with free-to-view channels
directly through your Xbox One. In the words of Microsoft, ‘our fans in Europe
have been asking for this functionality’. However, at £25 a go, a direct line
through the Xbox may to seem to many another option that can just be given a miss
as TV is so accessible without the console.
Of course the TV
tuner does have its benefits: free HD channels that aren’t accessible through
all TV boxes suddenly become available, as do the aforementioned catch up and
live pause functions. Snap functionality is also included so playing and
watching suddenly becomes a lot easier for those that were originally reluctant
to connect their digital boxes to their Xbox One.
Undoubtedly then
a digital tuner is a useful device. It means that the Xbox One can begin taking
another step towards being the single box in your living room. However, the
problem Microsoft once again face is convincing their audience that they all
want TV through their console. Though nowhere near as significant as Kinect, a
failure here would further cement critics’ points that gamers want a console to
play games on and more often than not, that’s enough.
The lower price
tag and obvious as well as ongoing function should encourage Xbox One owners to
buy into the idea of Microsoft’s latest hardware release, even if its
attraction wont be as widespread as gaming itself.
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