Xbox One facts for kids
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   Top: the original Xbox One console, controller, and Kinect sensor, in black
Middle: the Xbox One S model, in white Bottom: the Xbox One X model, in black |
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| Developer | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Flextronics, Foxconn |
| Product family | Xbox |
| Type | Home video game console |
| Generation | Eighth |
| Release date | |
| Introductory price | US$499 / €499 / £429 / JP¥49,980 / CN¥3,699 |
| Discontinued |
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| Units sold | See Sales section |
| Units shipped | 58+ million |
| Media |
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| Operating system | Xbox System Software |
| CPU | |
| Memory |
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| Storage | |
| Display | |
| Graphics |
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| Sound | 7.1 surround sound, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X |
| Input | HDMI |
| Controller input | Xbox Wireless Controller, Kinect for Xbox One, keyboard, mouse |
| Camera | 1080p camera (Kinect) |
| Connectivity | |
| Online services | Xbox Live, Xbox Game Pass |
| Dimensions |
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| Weight |
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| Best-selling game | PUBG: Battlegrounds (9 million) |
| Backward compatibility |
Selected Xbox and Xbox 360 games |
| Predecessor | Xbox 360 |
| Successor | Xbox Series X/S |
The Xbox One is a home video game console made by Microsoft. It was first announced in May 2013. This console is the third in the Xbox series, following the Xbox 360. It came out in North America, parts of Europe, Australia, and South America in November 2013. Later, it was released in Japan, China, and other European countries in September 2014. It was the first Xbox console to be sold in China.
Microsoft called the Xbox One an "all-in-one entertainment system." This is where the "One" in its name comes from. It was an eighth-generation console. It competed with Sony's PlayStation 4 and Nintendo's Wii U and later the Switch.
The Xbox One used a different computer design than the Xbox 360. It went back to the x86 design used in the first Xbox. It has a special processor called an Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) from AMD. The controller was also updated. It has a new shape, a better D-pad, and triggers that can vibrate in different ways.
The console focused a lot on cloud computing and social network features. You could also record and share game clips or screenshots. You could even stream games live to services like Mixer and Twitch. Games could also be played on Windows 10 devices over a home network. The Xbox One could play Blu-ray Disc movies and show live TV from a set-top box. It had a special TV guide. Some versions came with a new Kinect sensor, called "Kinect 2.0." This sensor had better motion tracking and voice recognition.
People generally liked the Xbox One's controller and its many entertainment features. Its quiet design was also praised. However, some thought its graphics were not as good as the PlayStation 4. The first user interface was a bit confusing, but later updates made it much better. The Kinect sensor was liked for its improved accuracy and voice commands.
The first Xbox One model was replaced by the Xbox One S in 2016. This version was smaller and supported HDR10 video. It could also play 4K videos and make games look better on 4K TVs. People liked its smaller size and built-in power supply. A more powerful model, the Xbox One X, came out in November 2017. It had stronger parts and could play games in true 4K. The Xbox One family of consoles stopped being made at the end of 2020. The Xbox Series X and Series S consoles replaced them in November 2020.
The Story of Xbox One
The Xbox One is the follow-up to the Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 came out in November 2005. Over time, the Xbox 360 got small updates to make it smaller and more reliable. In 2010, Microsoft said the Xbox 360 was about halfway through its life. The Kinect motion sensor, released that year, helped extend its lifespan.
Work on the Xbox 360's replacement, sometimes called "Xbox 720," started as early as 2011. The special tools for developers were named "Durango." They seemed to be ready by mid-2012. Early information suggested the new console would have a better Kinect sensor. It would also connect to cloud services for games and media. Microsoft did not comment on these early rumors.
First Look and Release
Before the Xbox One was officially shown, there were rumors it would need to be "always online." This meant it would always need an internet connection. Many people were worried about this. A Microsoft employee even posted a tweet saying, "Sorry, I don't get the drama around having an 'always on' console...Every device now is 'always on.' That's the world we live in. #dealwithit." This made people even more upset. The employee later left Microsoft.
On May 21, 2013, the new console was officially revealed as the Xbox One. It was shown as a complete home entertainment device. The event spent a lot of time on its TV and movie features. Video games were shown much later. Phil Spencer, who now leads Xbox, later said this approach confused everyone. Even Microsoft employees felt it didn't show what Xbox was truly about.
Because of the negative feedback, the presentation at E3 2013 focused mainly on games. Microsoft announced the console would launch in 21 countries on November 22, 2013. This was later changed to 13 countries. The delay for the other eight countries was due to difficulties with making the voice recognition work in different languages. In September 2014, the Xbox One was released in 26 more countries. This included Japan and the Middle East.
Microsoft first announced a different way to handle game licenses for the Xbox One. All games, even physical ones, would be linked to a player's Xbox Live account. Players could play their games from any Xbox One console without the disc. They could also "share" games with up to ten family members. The console would need to connect to the internet once every 24 hours to check licenses. If it couldn't connect, games would stop working.
Many people strongly disliked this system. They felt it took away their right to sell or lend games they owned. Microsoft also said game publishers could decide if physical games could be resold. They could even charge fees for used games. Lending or renting games would not be possible at launch. Critics said Microsoft was being unfair to its loyal customers.
On June 19, 2013, after E3, Microsoft changed its mind. They announced they would go back to the old system. Players could share and resell physical games freely. The console would not need a constant internet connection after the first setup. This meant the family sharing features and disc-free play were removed for launch. Microsoft said these changes were because of the public's negative reaction. Some believed it was also a response to Sony's strong stance at E3.
Microsoft also changed its mind about the Kinect sensor. It was first required to be plugged in all the time. Some people worried about privacy. Microsoft said Kinect data would not be used for advertising. They also said users could turn off voice and motion tracking. The Xbox One did not require Kinect to be plugged in at launch.
Because of these changes, people jokingly called the console the "Xbox 180." This was a nod to the Xbox 360 and Microsoft's "180-degree turn" on its plans.
Later Updates
In 2015, some hackers admitted to breaking into Microsoft's computer network. They got secret information about the Xbox One and Xbox Live. These hackers were very curious about the new Xbox console. They even physically stole three "Durango" development kits from Microsoft's campus.
On June 13, 2016, Microsoft showed the Xbox One S at E3 2016. This was a smaller version of the original Xbox One. It supported HDR10 and 4K video. The Xbox One S replaced the original Xbox One, which stopped being made around that time. Microsoft also hinted at a more powerful Xbox One, code-named "Project Scorpio." This was later released as the Xbox One X. Microsoft also started to move away from Kinect. Newer Xbox One models no longer had a special port for it.
Microsoft released the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition on April 16, 2019. This version did not have a disc drive. All games had to be downloaded. It was cheaper than the regular Xbox One S.
Microsoft stopped making all Xbox One consoles in 2020. This was to get ready for the new Xbox Series X/S consoles.
How the Xbox One Works
Design
The first Xbox One console was black. Half of it was matte gray, and the other half was shiny black. It had a large air vent on top. The design was meant to look more like an entertainment device. The glowing Xbox logo showed if the system was on. The original Xbox One was designed to only sit flat.
The Xbox One S has a new design. It is 40% smaller and can stand upright with a special stand. It is mostly white. It has buttons you push, not touch-sensitive ones. The power supply is inside the console, so there's no big power brick.
Inside the Console
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The Xbox One uses an AMD "Jaguar" processor. This processor has eight cores and runs at 1.75 GHz. It has 8 GB of DDR3 RAM. About 5 GB of this RAM is for games. The console also has a hard drive and a Blu-ray Disc player. The operating system uses 138 GB of the hard drive. You can add up to two USB 3.0 external hard drives to get more space.
The Xbox One's graphics chip (GPU) is based on AMD's GCN design. It has 768 cores and runs at 853 MHz. This gives it a power of 1.31 TFLOPS. For internet, it has Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11n wireless.
The original Xbox One shows video in 1080p and 720p. It uses HDMI 1.4 for both input and output. It supports 7.1 surround sound, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X.
The Xbox One S can also show 2160p (4K resolution) video. It supports high dynamic range (HDR) color. You can play 4K videos from streaming services and Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. Games are made to look better from 1080p to 4K, but they are not actually rendered in 4K. The Xbox One S has a slightly faster graphics chip. This can make some games run a bit better.
The console can check its own temperature. If it gets too hot, it can speed up its fan. It can also slow down its parts to prevent damage. This helps keep the console from overheating.
Controller
The Xbox Wireless Controller looks similar to the Xbox 360's controller. But it has many improvements. It has a smoother shape and textured sticks. The directional pad and triggers are also redesigned. The triggers have special rumble motors called "Impulse Triggers." These can vibrate independently to give different feedback in games. For example, one trigger might vibrate when you fire a gun.
The controller has lights that the Kinect sensor can track. This helps it know when it's being held. An updated controller came out in June 2015 with a 3.5mm headphone jack. A third version, released with the Xbox One S, has textured grips and Bluetooth support.
The Xbox Wireless Controller has a micro USB port. You can plug it in to play without batteries. It also works wirelessly with Windows 7 or newer computers using an adapter.
The Elite Wireless Controller came out in October 2015. It was made for serious gamers. It has parts you can swap out and special "hair trigger locks." These let you press the triggers less to make them work. You can also change what the buttons do using software.
In May 2018, Microsoft announced the Xbox Adaptive Controller. This controller is made for players with disabilities. It has two large buttons and many ports for other special buttons and devices. It can also work with "Copilot," a feature that lets two controllers act as one.
Since November 2018, games can support computer mice and keyboards. Microsoft also partnered with Razer Inc. to make special Xbox keyboards and mice.
Kinect 2.0 Sensor
The Kinect 2.0 sensor was made to track motion and voice commands for the Xbox One. It has a wide-angle camera and a 1080p camera. This is much better than the older Xbox 360 version. Kinect 2.0 can track up to 6 people at once. It can even track your heart rate. It can also read QR codes for Xbox Live gift cards.
By default, voice recognition is always on. This means the console can hear commands even when it's in sleep mode. You can wake the console with a voice command. You can also change settings to turn off certain Kinect features.
At first, all Xbox One consoles came with the Kinect sensor. But on June 9, 2014, Microsoft released cheaper Xbox One bundles without Kinect. Microsoft said this gave people a choice. It also allowed games to use more of the console's power. This power was previously saved for Kinect.
A Kinect 2.0 for Windows computers came out on July 15, 2014. A standalone Kinect for Xbox One was sold separately in October 2014. It came with a digital copy of Dance Central Spotlight.
The Xbox One S does not have a Kinect port. You need a special adapter to use Kinect with it. Microsoft gave away free adapters for a while. Kinect for Xbox One was officially stopped being made on October 25, 2017.
Software and Online Services
The Xbox One uses two operating systems at once. Games run on one, and apps and the menu run on a simpler version of Microsoft Windows. This allows the console to handle many tasks at once. It also makes sure games run smoothly. The Xbox One supports Universal Windows Platform apps. These apps can work on Xbox One, Windows 10, and Windows 10 Mobile.
The Xbox One's menu uses Microsoft's Fluent Design System. The main screen has sections like "Home," "Mixer," and "Store." You can pin your favorite games and apps to the "Home" page. Pressing the Xbox button on your controller opens a side menu. This menu gives you quick access to friends, apps, and settings. You can go back to the main menu from a game or app using the Xbox button or a voice command. The console can run up to four apps at once, but only one game. If you have Kinect, you can control the console with voice commands. The voice assistant Cortana was added in 2016 for more voice commands.
The menu was updated in November 2015. It got a new look called "the New Xbox One Experience." This update removed Kinect motion controls from the menu. The menu was updated again in April and October 2017. These updates added new features and a fresh design.
In 2024, some older Xbox One consoles had trouble updating. This stopped many of their features from working. Microsoft quickly fixed this issue.
Entertainment Features
The Xbox One can play videos from DLNA servers and USB drives. You can use the "Media Player" app for this. It also has an app to play Blu-ray Disc, DVD, and CD movies and music.
The console can show live TV by connecting to your cable or satellite box. It has an HDMI input for this. You can also use a special Digital TV Tuner to watch digital terrestrial television. The console has its own TV guide called OneGuide. This guide suggests shows based on what you watch. It also lets you control your TV and set-top box with an IR blaster.
The Xbox One does not have full DVR features to record TV shows. However, the digital TV tuner lets you pause and rewind live TV for up to 30 minutes. In June 2016, Microsoft put its plans for full DVR on hold.
Xbox Live
The Xbox Live service uses many servers for Xbox One players. You can save your games, movies, and music in the cloud. Game makers can also use these servers for online game features. You can have up to 1,000 friends on Xbox Live. In December 2016, new social features were added. "Clubs" let you join groups based on interests or games. "Looking for Group" (LFG) helps you find players for multiplayer games.
You can use the Upload Studio app to edit and share game clips. The console automatically records the last five minutes of gameplay. Games can also be set to record when something important happens, like getting an achievement. Xbox One supports streaming directly to Twitch. You can start streaming your game with voice commands. You can also use Kinect's camera and microphone for video and audio.
Like the Xbox 360, you need an Xbox Live Gold subscription for online multiplayer and other premium features. But with Xbox One, one Gold subscription works for everyone on your "home" console. Since June 2014, many apps no longer need a Gold membership. Microsoft also brought its Games with Gold program to Xbox One. This gives free Xbox 360 and Xbox One games to Gold subscribers every month.
Second Screen and Streaming
The Xbox SmartGlass app lets your phone or tablet work with your Xbox One. You can use it to turn on the console or as a remote control. You can also check messages and buy content. It can even stream live TV to your device if you have a USB digital TV tuner.
On Windows 10, the Xbox App replaced SmartGlass. This app lets you stream games from your Xbox One to your computer or tablet. You need an Xbox One controller to play. Games that need Kinect are not supported.
Microsoft also partnered with Oculus VR. This allows you to stream Xbox One games to the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset.
Recently, Microsoft updated the Xbox app for iPhone and iPad. This update added a remote play feature. You can stream Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S games to your mobile device. Older Xbox 360 and original Xbox games cannot be streamed this way.
Games
Xbox One games are sold as physical Blu-ray discs or digital downloads. You can buy digital games from the Microsoft Store. All Xbox One games must be installed to the console's storage. You can start playing parts of a game while the rest downloads or installs. For older games, like Xbox 360 titles, you must wait for the full installation.
Game updates and system software updates download in the background. If you install a game from a disc, you still need the disc to play it. If you install a game on another console and lose the disc, you can buy the game digitally to unlock it. Some games need an active internet connection to work.
Microsoft started an Early access program called Xbox Game Preview in 2015. This lets players buy and test unfinished games before they are fully released. Since June 2017, games show special icons. These icons tell you if the game supports features on newer Xbox One models. This includes HDR colors and native 4K resolution.
In 2016, Microsoft started releasing new Xbox One-exclusive games on Windows 10 PCs at the same time. This is called Xbox Play Anywhere. It means you buy the game once and can play it on both Xbox One and Windows 10. This makes these games exclusive to Microsoft's platforms, not just Xbox One.
In February 2017, Microsoft launched Xbox Game Pass. This is a subscription service. It lets you download and play many games from a library as long as you have a subscription. In April 2019, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate was released. This bundle includes both Game Pass and an Xbox Live Gold subscription.
Playing Older Games
Xbox 360 Games
When it first launched, the Xbox One could not play games from the original