It has Skype! It’s is therefore a viable business tool! That’s the sentiment of Microsoft’s director at Consumer Camp Marques Lyons, who says that things like Skype, Skydrive and Internet explorer make it great for business.
“What is being positioned as an excellent entertainment device can be just as enticing for you and your small business,” he wrote in an open letter to small businesses. “In fact, it’s entirely justifiable to make the Xbox One a business expense. The Xbox One, priced at $499, is an affordable option for small business owners, as there are many features built into the console that could help it rival even the most modest of video conferencing and networking platforms.”
Kinect plus Skype is apparently a winning business strategy.
“Utilise Skype, and the power of group chatting, to have that collaborative exchange with clients and co-workers, no matter where in the world they happen to be,” Lyons said. “Utilize the size of that nice TV screen to see every smile and nod as your next great plan comes together. The Xbox One with Kinect, as a Skype provider, is just as capable as a PC with an attached/included microphone and webcam. The difference here is that Xbox One and Kinect gives you the open space to move, gesture, show examples, and see everyone more clearly.”
More than that, you’ll be able to open up your Skydrive saved Office files within the system’s built in browser, and then do your powerpointing using gestures!
“With SkyDrive via Internet Explorer, you can use it with the Office Web Apps to open that Excel spreadsheet or PowerPoint,” he said. “Use the Kinect voice and hand gestures to navigate to websites. Now you’re free of clickers and light pens to use your hands to for more expressive gestures.”
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry, really. It’s like Microsoft is trying to sell the Xbox One to businesses, because nobody else wants to buy the thing.
Last Updated: July 11, 2013
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
July 11, 2013 at 12:34
Where are all the people now saying Xbox ONE is the future of GAMING ….
DarthofZA
July 11, 2013 at 12:43
Like I’ve said before, MS are aiming to not only be the Jack of all trades, but a master of all as well. The people working on the gaming side are not working on this side. If someone added these features onto the PS4, it wouldn’t make it any less of a gaming machine.
Argentil
July 11, 2013 at 14:02
It would, because there is a finite amount of resources. Specialisation is an appealing characteristic of owning a console. If you throw in all of these
extras, what’s the point? MS might as well release their games on Games for Windows Live… in fact, if they did put some effort into their PC platform, it would probably not be as loathed as it is. G4WL is a good example of MS throwing their eggs around instead of putting them in one basket.
DarthofZA
July 11, 2013 at 14:59
No it wouldn’t. MS are a giant corporation. The guys working on the gaming side are not having resources pulled from them because the guys from the TV side need more to do something else. Within MS, they are even different divisions. Read the titles of all the guys presenting anything to do with the TV side, they’re always something to do with the Entertainment side, whereas the guys doing the gaming their titles are do with their Gaming side. It’s like when Our art department are pulled into a project with the dev side, its not like the dev side of the project suffers because this project required work from the art side. The dev side is just as good, it just looks prettier now.
Argentil
July 12, 2013 at 22:59
MS are still spending money building and optimizing tools for these features, not to mention the physical resources that are used in the console itself (ie 3GB memory). They’re not going to throw an infinite amount of money into one project.
Troll Slayer
July 11, 2013 at 12:53
Most likely not reading this article…
Mark Treloar
July 11, 2013 at 12:37
Yes, that’s why companies choose to use Webex,etc..etc
Thando_Gqabaza
July 11, 2013 at 13:25
Most companies choose Lync
Martin du preez
July 11, 2013 at 12:39
Me,Watching this train wreck unfold:
Verrayne
July 11, 2013 at 12:40
well then I’l have to put it up as a home office expense and pray that Sars don’t question me…
BacchusZA
July 11, 2013 at 12:53
I think I’m going to have to try your plan.
The worst that’ll happen is they’ll go “Pfffft, here’s your tax bill, Sir.”, but you never know – rebates on R6-7k of deductables may also be the result 🙂
BacchusZA
July 11, 2013 at 12:40
Yeah, you have to consider that the PC / Mac / Linux whatever said business *already* owns can do skype, for free, why would you spend $500 on a *gaming & entertainment* console to also do that?
Methinks we need to rename Marques Lyons Sir-Reach-a-Lot……
Lord Chaos
July 11, 2013 at 13:47
And they don’t even give us the courtesy of a reach-around.
Kaya
July 11, 2013 at 12:46
Or you could buy a web cam for $50 and use it on your PC…
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 11, 2013 at 12:49
No because business men use laptops because they need it wherever they go and it has a built in webcam. So not even that lol. M$ are smoking their socks hahaha
Kaya
July 11, 2013 at 12:51
True, but if you want a fixed in office solution it would even be cheaper to buy a 32″ TV screen and web cam for conference calls. MS are grasping at straws, its pathetic really.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 11, 2013 at 12:53
I thought Smart TV’s nowadays come with webcam?
Sorry, I’m not going at you here. I am just trying to make it clear that I think this sales strategy from MS is stupid lol
Kaya
July 11, 2013 at 12:54
You are probably totally correct! I have no idea but I think you can get TV’s with a webcam AND Skype integration… hahaha
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 11, 2013 at 12:57
and motion control.
Lol. MS are so far off the mark here it isn’t even funny
John Ambitious
July 11, 2013 at 12:59
I think MS forgot that there are other countries outside the US
Trevor Davies
July 11, 2013 at 13:23
There be dragons!
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 11, 2013 at 12:49
Urm. Dafuq!?
Wait, so let me get this straight….
Replace your laptop that you use for your e-mails, browsing, typing out reports etc (Because, physical keyboard you know), skyping, voice chatting, DropBox, VPN access to business network, Solitaire, etc etc etc
WITH
A console that can’t type lengthy emails, reports or really browse quickly enough due to cumbersome controllers which no business man is going to struggle with, and only really has the skype thing going for it?
Yeah, makes total sense to replace a business laptop with a console. NOT!
Mark Treloar
July 11, 2013 at 13:00
At least you wont be bored on conference calls anymore since you can Skype and game at the same time
Argentil
July 11, 2013 at 14:09
Not to mention you can’t just install any third party programmes like PoS or Accounting Software that are needed for business functionality. This is daft.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 11, 2013 at 14:57
Oh yeah, didn’t even think of that
Airborne
July 11, 2013 at 12:56
Yeah… kinda creepy considering Kinect is always gonna be on… and one wrong swipe, all your porn will become a power point presentation.
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 11, 2013 at 12:58
Luckily I don’t have either. Kinect or porn
Airborne
July 11, 2013 at 12:59
Luckily I dont have the Kinect.
John Ambitious
July 11, 2013 at 13:00
That’s hilarious
Troll Slayer
July 11, 2013 at 12:57
“I don’t know whether to laugh or cry, really. It’s like Microsoft is trying to sell the Xbox One to businesses, because nobody else wants to by the thing”
You are just trolling for hits man. Stay classy Lazygamer. You don’t need such low “journalsim” to attract gamers to your site.
Jonah Cash
July 11, 2013 at 13:21
At this point of the XBONE’s life cycle it is hard to think of any negative comment from anyone that will make people get more hits…. This thing has been the biggest cockup since that rocket blew up over in America!! The XBONE’s PR department should be fired, why would they even have someone say these things in public? It feels like every day someone from MS is speaking of something stupid and making them look more like fools…. I think they are pissed that EA has won the worst company award two years running and now want one of their own!! So I understand what Geoffrey is saying with that, cause it would have been better for the gaming world if the XBONE and PS4 were equal at this stage!!
Troll Slayer
July 11, 2013 at 13:24
Totes agree with ya man! Have you heard about the XBONES always online DRM?
Jonah Cash
July 11, 2013 at 13:25
Oh see here I was thinking that you can hold a grown up conversation and now I see you are in fact not a troll slayer but just a TROLL!!! Oh well, have a nice day buddy!!
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 11, 2013 at 13:28
Hahahaha
Troll Slayer
July 11, 2013 at 13:31
Fanbois have adult conversations? That’s a first. And don’t expect a proper conversation with grammar like that.
Jonah Cash
July 11, 2013 at 13:33
Yes you aren’t just a TROLL you are a grammer natzi as well!! Oh boy your stock is rising just as quickly as your XBONE’s!! I have a Xbox 360 and a PS4, so not a fanboi, just a gamer!!
Troll Slayer
July 11, 2013 at 13:34
You have a PS4 you say 😉
Jonah Cash
July 11, 2013 at 13:36
As sure as I am that the sun is coming up tomorrow, that is how sure I am that I will have a PS4 and leave you to play with your XBONE!! But yeah missed that one, have a PS3….
Troll Slayer
July 11, 2013 at 13:53
Good for you. Enjoy your games.
Sageville
July 11, 2013 at 13:32
Wait a moment…
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 11, 2013 at 13:29
Then why are you here?
Troll Slayer
July 11, 2013 at 13:49
I am not here. I am a figment of your imagination.
This is what happens when you play too much of COD. You start to see things…
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 11, 2013 at 13:52
If you are a figment of my imagination then you are Banana Jim.
And you must be Jim trolling as only he will troll me about CoD since I play no such thing.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 11, 2013 at 14:00
So the only criteria for someone to steal my identity is to (a) Post something about being the figment of your imagination and (b) post something about COD…
If that’s true, then everyone on LAGZ is a “Banana Jim”! 😮 Now that’s a frightening thought!
Short story… Troll Slayer isn’t me. He doesn’t smell faintly of broccoli, brussels sprouts and bacon.
Troll Slayer
July 11, 2013 at 14:02
I am not you, you are not me. Two different species are we.
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 11, 2013 at 14:13
Strange that you come to his defence 2 minutes after me accusing him of being you 😛
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 11, 2013 at 14:18
NO BODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!!!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 11, 2013 at 14:24
But does he smell like bacon and brussels sprouts? Sir, that is the smoking gun!
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 11, 2013 at 14:28
No idea, not planning to find out as well X_X
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
July 11, 2013 at 13:38
I take offence. I was not trolling for hits. I was just trolling. If I was trolling for hits, I would have used a snappier headline.
Troll Slayer
July 11, 2013 at 13:50
I’m offended I had to read the whole thing only for the obvious trolling to appear at the end.
Jonah Cash
July 11, 2013 at 14:00
Please go and feel offended where there is someone who cares…
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
July 11, 2013 at 14:00
Haha. Well, sorry about that. 😉
Concerned
July 11, 2013 at 17:46
Shame on you linking back to your own article about how bad the Xbox one is selling rather than linking back to the article you wrote about how it’s sold out on Amazon and BestBuy already….This IS actually a very viable option you know. Our boardrooms around the country are all fitted with this HD tele conferencing equipment that cost the company millions! Not sure about the security on Skype but this would’ve worked out so much cheaper overall. And with the new Kinect 2 their wouldn’t have been any drop in quality! Throw in the added possibilities of Excel and Powerpoint and you have a winner! I’ll be contacting my tax guy to see if I can get the Xbox one as a tax deductible for sure! If it’s not possible, I’ll just get a new tax guy! LOL! GOOD TIMES
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
July 11, 2013 at 18:08
A tax deductible console? That’s how it should be 😛
Kromas
July 11, 2013 at 13:10
The new Ford LOL GT will not only be a car but it can also double as a swimming pool. The samsung galaxy S5000 will constantly tell you to go on a diet and make prank calls to your boss and coke will finally bring out coke original where the cocaine is not processed into oblivion. Back in my day you buy an item not because of how well I can do other things but for how well it does what it is supposed to do.
BacchusZA
July 11, 2013 at 13:13
Can I get an Amen, brother?
Multifunction is nice, but I like to know my camera takes photos, my MP3 player plays music, my phone makes phone calls, my consoles play games, and my pc does everything if I want it to.
Kromas
July 11, 2013 at 13:19
I agree that multifunction is nice but keep in in your respective genre. I do not do business in a home ENTERTAINMENT system. I won’t take my girlfriend to a romantic dinner at a strip club cause the food is nice …. hang on. I might have just gotten the best ever breakup idea ever!
Jonah Cash
July 11, 2013 at 13:24
Hahahahaha!!! That is brilliant!!! But seriously why is that food at those types of establishments are always so good? Or so I have been told…….
Kromas
July 11, 2013 at 13:38
It made with love 😛
BacchusZA
July 11, 2013 at 13:43
I had a very nice burger at the Teasers in Durban once.
Hell of an expensive, even after the covert charge, and a challenge to enjoy given the distraction of a young lady in various stages of undress lying across the table.
But still a very nice burger, by any objective measure.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
July 11, 2013 at 13:45
As long as it’s not made with love juices.
BacchusZA
July 11, 2013 at 13:46
There’s a market for that I’m sure.
Sorry, I had to go there.
You dug the hole, I’m just pushing people into it 😛
Kromas
July 11, 2013 at 14:17
Reminds me of.
N@te
July 11, 2013 at 13:17
nobody else wants to by the thing.
*buy
😉
Trevor Davies
July 11, 2013 at 13:21
Oh dear, another MS exec has been at the crack again.
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 11, 2013 at 13:29
Its ok, they have plenty (execs and crack)
Jonah Cash
July 11, 2013 at 13:31
Why are they still allowing their employees to talk to anyone???? They should tape their mouths shut!! Everyday one of them comes up with another stupid idea an tells the world and it makes them look more retarded…. They should really just be quiet for the next month and do no interviews and forbid all their employees from talking to the press or at seminars or everywhere really!!
Trevor Davies
July 11, 2013 at 13:38
I agree 100%. They’re like the human centipede of foot-in-mouth.
Slade Boender
July 11, 2013 at 13:22
Fridays at the office bar are going to be interesting…
FoxOneZA - X-Therminator
July 11, 2013 at 14:04
The distraction of a console at the workplace is not a good one.
Jonah Cash
July 11, 2013 at 15:39
Me and you don’t generally agree on things, but I do agree with you on this one…. Everybody would be in the boardroom to just quickly see if they can beat that one stage…. 10 stages later and no works has been done!!
Khulani Ndlovu
July 11, 2013 at 17:11
The initiative looks good but really tell which small business is going to consider the Xbox One for their marketing budget, #iwonder 😉