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It didn’t take too long since the last time we spoke about the next-generation Xbox, but this doesn’t mean that the rumors cannot intensify. It seems like Microsoft has a mole in its system who gives juicy details to the press as a source has decided to speak about Kinect 2 and the new Xbox that should be released in 2013 (like we suggested in previous articles), and not in 2012 like other sources claimed.

According to Eurogamer, the Kinect 2 will be so good that it will be able to read lips and it will be available along with the next Xbox consoles. The reason why I used the plural form of the word is because the source claims that Microsoft is working at two Xbox devices, instead of one like previously believed.

Microsoft is looking to rewrite the history of home gaming by offering a Xbox for the poor that will act merely as a Kinect platform. The company will take out almost all the features of the console in order to allow people to save money for a Kinect, too.

The other Xbox console will be high-end with a multimedia optical drive, HDD, and backwards compatibility with the Xbox 360 games. It will come with a very fast processor and an advanced GPU in order to support games at full HD resolution for years to come. The low-end Xbox will probably be priced around $99, while the high-end unit will cost up to $299.

Going back to the Kinect 2, Microsoft has developed a technology that will allow the motion-sensing console to recognize voices better and to track body movements in an accurate manner. The name of the technology is unknown, but it will read lips, it will determine facial characteristics so it will know when you are angry or happy, and it will be able to tell where you are looking or moving.

It seems like the idea behind the Kinect 2 is not new, but the Xbox 360 is based on old firmware and hardware therefore it’s not able to support huge data transfer required to read lips and determine emotional states.

The Xbox 360 USB 2.0 technology supports up to 35MBps, while USB controller takes about 15MBps. This doesn’t leave too much room for anything else considering the fact that you can pair two controllers. This led us to think that the next-generation Xbox and Kinect consoles will support at least USB 3.0, unless Microsoft or someone else develops a faster technology.

The source confirmed that the Kinect 2 will not be able to send even more data to the new Xbox consoles so it will also support a bigger resolution. Currently, the Kinect can offer a resolution of only 320 x 240 pixels. Sadly, he / she couldn’t confirm whether it’s using Intel or AMD technology and who is providing the graphics card.

If things go well enough then the Kinect 2 release date is 2013 along with the new Xbox gaming consoles, and they might be revealed during E3 next year. A previous rumor said that Microsoft is currently working with major developers at launch titles for the next Xbox as they are in possession of the so-called “target boxes.”