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Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One

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201–210 of 232 posts

Re: Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One

#201
post #192

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The OP did say "I go months...YEARS without playing video games".

And the message I replied to said: "WiiU + PC will probably get you more coverage than PS4 + PC. As far as I can tell anyway...", which is not even close to truth.

not even close to truth

How so? The WiiU seems to me like the most likely to have a bunch of exclusives, if only because of the distinct architecture.

Re: Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One

#202
post #173
post #158

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ok, so I was wrong on one of the 3. It still cannot be removed or turned off. It can be disabled by software which we have to trust is really disabling it.

Do people really not trust that it wouldn't actually be disabled if you disabled it? Can the paranoid not just put a piece of tape over the lens, or point it at a wall?

>Do people really not trust that it wouldn't actually be disabled if you disabled it?

Of course, but why would you go through that bother if you can just move to a PS4?

Re: Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One

#203
post #173
post #158

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ok, so I was wrong on one of the 3. It still cannot be removed or turned off. It can be disabled by software which we have to trust is really disabling it.

Do people really not trust that it wouldn't actually be disabled if you disabled it? Can the paranoid not just put a piece of tape over the lens, or point it at a wall?

>Can the paranoid not just put a piece of tape over the lens,or point it at a wall?

- Yes one could tape it. Don't apply the tape directly since repeated application and removal of tape can impair camera functionality due to residual adhesive accumulation and the depositing of dust etc on the residual adhesive. Use Microfiber based cloth material between the tape and camera.

- But having said that, I find it painful to even think of repeatedly taping and 'untaping' cameras. Having to remember to point them the other way too is not good - one can forget to do so at times. And then lose sleep over it after having say, watched a romantic movie with one's girlfriend. And so on.

Physically connect when required is a more comfortable model, at least for me. I've seen some unbelievable shit being pulled by hackers, including changing camera firmware to achieve their objective. So making it easier for users to feel absolutely comfortable with their devices is important.

Re: Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One

#204

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And the message I replied to said: "WiiU + PC will probably get you more coverage than PS4 + PC. As far as I can tell anyway...", which is not even close to truth.

not even close to truth How so? The WiiU seems to me like the most likely to have a bunch of exclusives, if only because of the distinct architecture.

It will have a bunch exclusives but not as many as PS4 and X1.

Architecture has nothing to do with this - vast majority of exclusives comes from the first party studios (studios owned by the respective console manufacturer) and second parties (independent studio titles, published by the console manufacturer). There are some random third party (publishers like EA,Activision,Ubi etc) exclusives but from what I can tell Nintendo's are just shovel-ware (such as Carnival Games, variously branded "fitness" games, cartoon licensed titles etc.) while both Sony and MS enjoyed some AAA third party exclusives. There is no reason to believe the situation is going to change in the future - if anything it's going to be less of those since the major producer of Nintendo exclusive shovel-ware, THQ Inc, went bankrupt recently.

Out of the three console majors, Nintendo has the least first party studios - 7 (at least 3 of which are working on handhelds exclusively). Microsoft has the most. And Sony has the most first parties that actually ship games regularly.

So the only chance for Wii U to get more exclusives than PS4 is for Nintendo to contract a bunch of 2nd parties and/or sign a lot of exclusive contracts with the 3d parties. If this ever going to happen it's far from "likely" since it has not happened for the last 3 generations of consoles (Nintendo beating Sony on the exclusives).

Re: Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One

#205
post #134
post #104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In your country it really is an easy decision. On top of all that, it's clearly the superior hardware for cheaper, without the surveillance device bundled. They are in for a rude awakening.

I guess every smartphone and every tablet is a surveillance device too eh?

Mine isn't, I run an OSS system that lets me verify that the camera is indeed off. It also works disconnected without sabotaging the functionality and software that doesn't require a connection. The camera led is impossible to disable without hardware tampering, too. And I can even tape it and it will continue working.

The XBOX PRISM is a different creature altogether, and a very worrisome precedent precisely because we already have smartphones and tablets that could potentially follow that path.

Re: Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One

#206
post #174
post #66

Reposting my earlier comment on the other thread that went off front page: They should rename the Xbox One to the Xbox 180, it would be a perfect name! On a more serious note, I don't like this rollback. It only goes to show how the witchhunt and echo chamber on Reddit worked. Even before the reveal, Microsoft was falsely accused of trying to game Reddit and everyone flew off the handle over someone pretty much lying…

>On a more serious note, I don't like this rollback. It only goes to show how the witchhunt and echo chamber on Reddit worked. It seems like you haven't considered that the echo chamber is right on this one. DRM is a cancer on the industry and every attempt to fight it back is worth it. You make points that the DRM could lead to potential benefits, no one is disputing that. Simply put, with the way it was, I was neve…

In certain cases the "landscape" of a feature means that what we would see as DRM is simply just a part of that feature. Steam is effectively a DRM platform, but the convenience of my games being backed up for me (and being able to transfer those games across machines when e.g. upgrading) means that the DRM becomes a feature that actually helps me (a good example of DRM being a feature is MMOs). I guess that's where I draw the line - some types of DRM protect the rights of both the consumer and the developer.

Let me put it to you this way, if I were to ever buy a console, I might have considered the XBox One. Microsoft has a history of being partly a benefactor (especially with the 360 and XNA); and things can be changed and improved over time (just like Steam was). We might not have liked the first iteration of the DRM, but it could have been changed (require both devices to be connected to the internet when changing ownership? The horde would have still torn them apart for that).

Re: Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One

#207
post #36

This takes care of the used games issue but it doesn't take care of: - $100 more expensive than PS4. - Kinect always included, always connected and always on. Cannot be removed, disabled or turned off. - Netflix behind Xbox Live Gold paywall, available for free on PS4. Plus other numerous functionality complaints such as it's supposed to be the way you watch TV but it isn't a DVR, you still need a separate DVR. And i…

So long as we are comparing Sony and Microsoft let's not forget which company has actively sued hardware hackers and which hasn't. So add this to your list:

- Doesn't hide behind a marketing facade.

Sony has made a big following with their marketing campaigns that contrast them with Microsoft, but I am really interested to see how the chips actually fall a few months or years in.

Re: Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One

#209
post #130

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Software disabling is little use when the issue only exists because of a lack of trust in the software (ie NSA co-operation).

> ie NSA co-operation This is so ridiculous it's not worth talking about. The chances of snooping due to the console being hacked are slightly higher, but where are all the people complaining that most laptops, tablets, and phones (which generally have significantly less software security) have built-in software controlled cameras and microphones? Laptops usually have indicator lights for cameras, but not microphones…

Actually, people do worry about phones and remote microphone activation (see for example http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2006/12/remotely_eaves...).

There are many places where you have to leave your cell phone by the door before entering.

Re: Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One

#210
post #203
post #173

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do people really not trust that it wouldn't actually be disabled if you disabled it? Can the paranoid not just put a piece of tape over the lens, or point it at a wall?

>Can the paranoid not just put a piece of tape over the lens,or point it at a wall? - Yes one could tape it. Don't apply the tape directly since repeated application and removal of tape can impair camera functionality due to residual adhesive accumulation and the depositing of dust etc on the residual adhesive. Use Microfiber based cloth material between the tape and camera. - But having said that, I find it painful…

Put a hat on it? Why are we debating this?
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