Microsoft Launches Xbox
WinInfo | at | by Mike
Microsoft released its Xbox video gaming console Thursday at midnight at a Toys 'R Us store in New York's Times Square. The Xbox, which features PC-like features such as a hard drive, 3D graphics chip, Ethernet connectivity, and Intel microprocessor, retails for $299. Microsoft chairman Bill Gates flew to New York for the launch and personally greeted fans waiting in line, some of whom had been there for almost 24 hours.
"The future of gaming starts today, and it starts with Xbox," said Gates. "Xbox is a key part of our strategy to drive the digital entertainment revolution and deliver the future of interactive entertainment to the home. It's a great example of how Microsoft is innovating. But most important, it's incredibly cool." So cool, in fact, that even Gates got into the act a bit earlier this week during a COMDEX keynote demo of the Xbox. Gates actually set up and turned on an Xbox, quipping, "maybe we should do that for the PC," as it booted in just seconds.