UPDATE: Microsoft announced that the Xbox One console will ship on November 22 of this year, in the U.S. and 12 other markets. The company also noted it has "increased the CPU from 1.6GHZ to 1.75GHZ, roughly a 10 percent increase in CPU performance."
At Microsoft's E3 press event today, the company announced a couple more details for its upcoming Xbox One gaming console: Most important to anticipatory gamers, the console will ship in November, and the price will be a not-insignificant $499.
Also announced was a refreshed design for the Xbox 360, which Microsoft said will be smaller, sleeker, and quieter. The new Xbox 360 will be available to purchase today (no price change was announced). "Hundreds of new games" were promised for the venerable console over the next few months.
Other news included changes to Smartglass, Microsoft's second-screen app for the Xbox. You'll be able to start a single-player game and look at achievements, and get tips relevant to help you progress in a game.
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For Xbox Live members, Microsoft will be moving from Microsoft Points to local currency for the Xbox One—so instead of buying Points to buy games, you'll be able to buy them directly. Microsoft also announced that Xbox Live Gold members will receive two free games per month, starting with Assassin's Creed 2 and Halo 3.
Most of the event was dedicated to trailers for new games, including a number of exclusives for Xbox One. These include a new franchise, Ryse: Son of Rome; Killer Instinct; Project Spark; and Sunset Overdrive.
—Carol Mangis
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