Microsoft reportedly developed set-top box prototypes

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div class="copy post-body" dir="ltr" itemprop="text" style="text-align: left;"> <div class="image-container" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Microsoft reportedly developed settop box prototypes" data-src-height="432" data-src-width="619" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/05/5-9-2013apple-tv-replacement.jpg" /></div>Rumors have been circulating for some time that Microsoft is prepping a streaming media box. The Xbox may have many of the same functions, but it's still primarily a gaming console. The <em>Wall Street Journal</em> is reporting that there are prototypes of a simpler, cheaper set-top device designed exclusively for consuming media floating around Redmond. Obviously, this would provide Microsoft a path to living rooms at a price that's much easier for consumers to swallow than the $199 Xbox 360. But, just as important, it could also offer a way to keep the Xbox brand separate and primarily gaming-focused. On the other hand, if a Roku competitor with Xbox branding were to hit shelves for $99, it would further broaden the scope of Microsoft's entertainment division. That wouldn't be terribly surprising, since some of the prototypes are reportedly designed to work with Kinect. Whether or not these devices will ever see the light of day is still anyone's guess, but it could provide a cheap way to get that <em>Heroes</em> reboot into people's living rooms.<br /> </div></div>

Microsoft reportedly developed set-top box prototypes

Rumors have been circulating for some time that Microsoft is prepping a streaming media box. The Xbox may have many of the same functions, ...

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Xiaomi Box launches in a three-city trial on March 19th at a lower price

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> <img alt="Xiaomi Box hands-on" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/engadget001es-1363402542.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">The Xiaomi Box has had an arduous road to travel before it could go on sale: Chinese regulations reportedly kept it in limbo until local broadcaster iCNTV stepped in this January to get the ball rolling once again. The end is in sight now that a limited trial is set to start on March 19th. Changsha, Hangzhou and Shanghai will get about 10,000 total units of the Android media hub, whose price is dropping from the originally chosen <span>¥399 ($64) to an extra-frugal </span><span>¥299 ($48)</span>. The price slash could well make the set-top box that much more alluring, especially when it's still poised to give both Android and iOS users some media sharing love. Could you please hurry up your release plans, Xiaomi?</div></div>

Xiaomi Box launches in a three-city trial on March 19th at a lower price

  The Xiaomi Box has had an arduous road to travel before it could go on sale: Chinese regulations reportedly kept it in limbo until local...

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