Technology: Xbox One (Microsoft) vs. PlayStation 4 (Sony)

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Xbox One vs. PlayStation 4

Sony PlayStation 4: 4K Support

The PlayStation 3 was one of the devices which brought Blu-Ray to prominence and its successor could again be the pioneer, this time being the first console to offer 4K resolution capabilities. 4K refers to the resolution of 3840 × 2160, a massive step up from the current console which outputs at 1920 × 1080. While 4K TV’s are rare (Probably because of their outstanding price tags) inclusion in the PS4 could definitely bring it into the public eye.

Microsoft Xbox One: 4K Support

As previously mentioned, the Xbox One will support 4K upscaling for Blu-Ray, but it’s unclear if it will also support games and other media at that resolution.

Sony PlayStation 4: Camera

The PlayStation Camera is a bit of a micro-Kinect, following in the best tradition of EyeToy. Like Move, it reads the light bars on the rear of the DualShock 4s so that you can manipulate items on screen with it, but also reads your flailing arms to interact, too.

The resolution is decent if nothing too scary – it doesn't track your expression or engagement, but it can tell if you've covered your eyes (the crowd of AI bots on the demo hushed, before we pulled our hands away and they all cried in a really quite charming game of Peek-a-boo). It will also set your head on fire – virtually, at least – in that AR style that Reality Fighters and its Vita brethren did.

Microsoft Xbox One: Camera & Kinect

First off, the new Kinect sensor can support up to six players at once, which is a vast improvement on the two- player limit its predecessor could handle.

Rather than reading the player as wiry stick figure with boxes for hands, feet and a head, the new Kinect module can pick up muscle texture, the shape of the player's head and register the difference between their thumbs and the tips of their fingers.

It can even pick up strain on the player's body parts, demonstrated to us when we stood one leg and saw our body part slowly turn red on the screen in front of us. Voice activated commands are still part of the package too.

Kinect can now monitor facial expressions, see if the player’s face begins to flush and even read the player’s heart rate. Not only will all of this be useful in the creation of Kinect software – fitness games, for example, will be far more advanced – but it also allows Kinect to gauge the player’s level of engagement with any form of entertainment they happen to be watching through the Xbox One.

If all of this sounds a bit Orwellian, don’t worry. Contrary to some of the rumours flying about the Internet, you don’t have to have Kinect active at all times in order for the Xbox One to work – you can deactivate it entirely. Not only does this mean you can still play games in the nude, should you desire, but you don’t have to allow it collect any data from your viewing or playing habits – although if you do, Kinect and the Xbox One will start to build a more bespoke entertainment experience just for you.

XboX One	PlayStation 4
Price at launch: $499.00	Price at launch: $399.00
Codename
Durango	PS4
HARDWARE
Width: 13.1 inches Depth: 10.8 inches Height: 3.1 inches Color: Black / Silver Exterior surface: Glossy	Width: 12 inches Depth: 10.83 inches Height: 2.09 inches Weight: 6.17 pounds Color: Black
PERFORMANCE
CPU brand: AMD CPU cores: 8 GPU brand: AMD RAM: 8 GB	CPU brand: AMD CPU model: Jaguar CPU cores: 8 GPU brand: AMD GPU model: Radeon RAM: 8 GB
CONNECTIVITY
Wi-Fi: Yes Wi-Fi support: 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b 802.11n frequencies: 5GHz, 2.4GHz Cable box pass-through: Yes IR: Yes	Wi-Fi: Yes Wi-Fi support: 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b 802.11n frequencies: 2.4GHz Bluetooth: Yes
AUDIO / VIDEO
Supported resolutions: 1080p, 720p Audio / Video playback: DVD, Blu-ray	Supported resolutions: 1080p, 720p Audio / Video playback: DVD, Blu-ray
PORTS
Audio / Video output: Proprietary, HDMI, Digital optical Controller connection: Wireless, Wired Wireless connection type: Proprietary USB: 3 Ethernet: Yes	Audio / Video output: Proprietary, HDMI, Digital optical Controller connection: Wireless, Wired Wireless connection type: Bluetooth USB: 2 Ethernet: Yes
STORAGE
Internal storage: 500 GB User upgradeable: Yes External memory: USB mass storage	Internal storage: 500 GB User upgradeable: Yes External memory: USB mass storage
SOFTWARE
Game media: Disc Online multiplayer: Yes Online store: Yes	Game media: Disc Online multiplayer: Yes Online store: Yes
POWER
Power supply: External	Power supply: Integrated

source: www.t3.com