Microsoft is reaping the rewards of the Xbox 360 and Kinect’s success over the past year, and they’re showing it expire in a large fashion at CES 2012. However, identical short of the Xbox buzz coming from Microsoft has to do with games. 2012 might very substantially be the Yr of the Xbox 360, just not for many of the gamers that took it hence far.

Xbox 360: Your New Streaming Media Set-Top Box

Streaming media isn’t anything new for the Xbox, of course–it was one of the first ways to stream Netflix Minute onto a TV without utilising a PC. However, Microsoft is doubling down on streaming media this year, aiming for 100 apps by the conclusion of 2012. That’s not 100 dinky Android apps, either–each app requires that Microsoft partner with the content provider to build certainly that Xbox users are getting the best receive possible.

Kinect for Windows: Not for Consumer

When Steve Ballmer announced that Microsoft would be selling Kinect for Windows for $250, it caused quite a stir–why charge an extra $100 for what is essentially the same product?

As it turns out, there’s a reasonably good reason for that–the Kinect for Windows isn’t actually intended for consumers in the foremost place. Afterward all, there’s not really a totally portion you could employment it with in Windows, anyway.

Don’t Require a New Xbox Any Time Soon

There’s no incertitude that the existing generation of game consoles are starting to lag behind the PC. Blockbuster titles alike Skyrim or Battlefield 3 merely don’t feeling as good or manoeuvre equally considerably on an Xbox as they may on eventide a lower-end gaming PC–and when you view the high-end niche gamer who wants to modernistic their games, crank up the settings, or evening live-stream their sessions via Twitch.TV or other video streaming sites, there’s only no contest.