Xbox One Named Top 10 Breakthrough of 2013

Popular Mechanics, a hugely popular magazine about all things tech, has recently published its report on what products they feel were the breakthrough products of 2013. It is a top 10 list and at number 9 is the Xbox One. Why did it make the list?

[Convas]

Whether or not you agree with this assessment or not, I wonder how many will suddenly dislike PopMech or wonder why the opinion of why some no-name magazine (that's actually 100+ years old and quite popular in non-gaming circles) actually matters.

Will it be that it's just their opinion or that they were moneyhatted?

[WorldGamer]

Well, seeing as how the media these days have actually become shills of corporations/political parties (see: Fox News), it is entirely possible that MS paid PopMech for some good PR.

Who would have thought that the US government would have been involved in syphilis experimentation on black men (See: Tuskegee Experiment).

Not to be extreme in my analogy, but you act as if MS providing a "money hat" is something propostrous, but clearly, more severe and damaging things have happened.

Sony might do the same as well. My point is it's dangerous to write something off, just because you have a particular agenda. Take all with a grain of salt, or better yet, a whole handful.

[Kingthrash360]

i think this is where that billion dollars ms was talking about went to....paying for hype. my opinion they paid...but maybe the mag really beleves it.

[RyuCloudStrife]

a breakthrough of your privacy once you have that bug in your house

[JokesOnYou]

Of course they paid a very reputable and long standing company/magazine to say this because no one in the free press, thats been well respected for many years of tech coverage could never consider X1 as a breakthrough product, just like anyone on n4g who prefers X1 must also be a microsoft employee. I mean you sony guys have it all figured out if any source has a negative view its of course legit if a they think the X1 is impressive then its paid.

Wow how convenient, no need for a soft bed, a comfy pillow or a warm blanket I'm sure you're all going to sleep much better with this rationalization.

Good Night folks.

[rainslacker]

I tend to have a bit more faith in popular mechanics than I do in Toy's R' Us top 15 which is known to be a paid advertisment. Half the stuff on the PopMech actual list I can't imagine companies paying for to get a spot.

I am a bit disheartened to see that they call it revolutionary and evolutionary, when it's really just an extension of what we have now. I kind of feel this way about both the PS4 and X1, and I'm OK with that.

What I find evolutionary is the approach in terms of developer relations that Sony is taking. They did something similar with the PS2, but now they are taking it to a whole new level and started in the early concept phase, and I commend them for it.

I won't speak on MS in this regard because I am a bit biased against them now, but I believe they also felt the same way on making the system easier to work with, yet don't promote it as much.

I think any revolution we see, particularly in terms of gaming, on either system are going to come from the devs themselves which push the hardware to achieve something new. You know...kind of the way it's done every generation.

It's been quite a while since we've seen an actual revolution in terms of the hardware itself, and we're not really seeing it this gen, despite all the hype.

[MiHX2]

A typcial day of the Sony troll:
First,he opens his pc,Second,He annoys the whole community.
You guys need to stop with "M$ paid them..." and "M$ paid that...."

[Insomnia_84]

Their money wont't be enough! Let them try though, like they did with the 360. I think some of us know what the result will be and it looks like Microsoft's Shareholders know it too.

MS is in for a bad time and only those with zero info and common sense are in denial.

@Stiggs

Waiting for you to come and call me fanboy and psychotic STALKER for commenting on the everyday news as you go through my profile and comment history LMFAO!!!

[FamilyGuy]

Who cares, I'm more interested in how this even made the list when the thing isn't even out yet. They are basing its inclusion solely on demos on the device in controlled environments at game shows and events. Nothing is proven until they're in the hands of the public, I doubt Kinect will face-plant on the promised abilities but this article is still jumping the gun.

The last line made me laugh; "The platform is so advanced that developers have barely begun to grasp all its possibilities."
The only thing developers are trying to grasp are better drivers so they can game their games running smoothly on it with sacrificing all the next gen assets.

[stuff]

http://www.microsoft.com/en...

^^^ Says it all.

[P0werVR]

The point is, for anyone who are unbiased to the facts. Will most definitely agree that Xbox One is truly Next Gen.

If you truly without bias do your own DD, you'll come out at the end with a whole new perspective because of how forward looking Microsoft is with Xbox One.

@stuff

What does that have to do with paying under the table or even ANYTHING Xbox?! LMAO!

Ok they did a deal with a Magazine group for their MSN network lifestyle...and?!

[nukeitall]

Other than the hardcore niche group, the rest of the world views it with an objective eye and will see how fantastic technology is built into Xbox One.

It is just the fangirls that dismiss this, but let me speak to deaf ears and say MS (or even Sony) has far more important avenues to spend their money.

[gameonbro]

if anyone likes microsoft you're a shill or paid off, but if you like sony it's just because it's better than jesus(not the son of God although that's how sony fanboys are acting)

these are tech magazines. geeks arent console gamers masturbating over consoles with specs weaker than their pcs. stuff like the cloud, heart rate monitoring time of flight measuring in kinect, haptic feedback of the impulse triggers, genuinely intrigue them. Just because gamers are one way think buttholes don't mean the world has to be.

[medziarz]

that's a good point but it's probably down to the Kinect ("that's supposed to work this time") that is permanently integrated with the system - that is what makes it a breakthrough, a new standard for Popular Mechanics...

[SkyGamer]

You really think that popular mechanics really care what a few Sony fans think on an obscure website? Probably not. Same with Microsoft in that manner. I think the rest of the real world population will judge with their wallets. Problem is that the hard core gamer is shrinking. The casual gamer has more populace.

[PeaSFor]

Hearst Magazines is a Microsoft business partner...

btw, that quote at the end is total bull. "The platform is so advanced that developers have barely begun to grasp all its possibilities."

pfffhahahhahahahahahahahahaha ahahahahahahahaha what a shit load of shit.

[AndrewLB]

You sir are the idiot. The Fox News Channel exists today solely due to decades of left wing political bias in the American media. Obama and his ilk hate Fox because it has disrupted the progressive social engineering agenda and their brainwashing of the American people. Leftist bull$hit is bankrupting this nation and will enslave future generations to a national debt the democrats and leftist news organizations continue to lie about, claiming that this kind of reckless spending is "sustainable". Are you nuts? How can borrowing 1 out of every 3 dollars be sustainable? If you confiscated every dollar from people who have over $500k in assets (that includes homes), you couldn't even pay down HALF the debt. I guess the propaganda worked well on you but half this country aren't fools.

And can you please explain why Obama received more money from Wall Street and corporations than any president in US history? And why he exempted large corporations from this nightmare of a health care scam? You need to think for yourself and realize you're what the communists refer to as a "useful idiot"

[Sono421]

umm I was skeptical until I read what they actually said about it... it's like they're oblivious to the chaos that has surrounded the Xbox One since the reveal..

"The platform is so advanced that developers have barely begun to grasp all its possibilities."

Umm what? Games have been getting cut since they were first shown...

The only thing developers can't get a grasp on is how to make the pretty games we once saw at E3 work on the Xbox One smoothly without cuts and how to incorporate kinect in actual gaming.

It can hardly be considered evolutionary or revolutionary.

[madpuppy]

you forgot MSNBC and CNN...just sayin' :p

[TomShoe]

Microsoft cutting those checks like there's not tomorrow.

[BallsEye]

Just like sony pay all those indie devs to say good stuff about ps4.

[ALLWRONG]

Sony also pays out for PSN+ but Sony boys have blinders on.

[majiebeast]

They paid toy r us to include their 499$ console with no games for kids. They probably paid for this too.

They cant get the positive PR going themselves so they buy it. Microsofts motto has always been, if you cant beat em buy em.

[MRMagoo123]

lol how did you get a disagree , in the statement by ToysrUs they referred to MS as there partners, which would mean there was money involved in them getting onto the list.

[zhuk is god]

Take care instead, you're next.

[RyuCloudStrife]

the money they spend buying good PR they would be beter off sending free consoles all across America LMAO.

[Eonjay]

"The platform is so advanced that developers have barely begun to grasp all its possibilities."

- bull

I think developers know exactly what it can do. Its nothing that hasn't been done before and to call it evolutionary and revolutionary is hyperbole beyond comprehension.

[wiz7191]

Just like the PS4 come on now ..

[Eonjay]

@Wiz This article doesn't mention the PS4 but neither should be considered revolutionary. Every technology that exists in both boxes has been around for years. How can the PS4, let alone the Xbox One, be considered a breakthrough.

[rainslacker]

I neither agree or disagree. However, they are wrong in saying that the Kinect is integral to the X1. MS wanted us to think that, but then changed course on that when they realized most people don't care.

X1 may be evolutionary and revolutionary as stated by pop mechanics claim, but it is pretty obvious that most people didn't want that kind of evolution or revolution in a gaming console. If they had, MS wouldn't have had to make so many 180's to make it pretty much the same as 360 with souped up tech under the hood.

I also find it odd that the one reason they actually state for it being a breakthrough, despite this stuff being around for quite a while. I also find it odd that they claim it's a breakthrough, when Kinect seems to be the biggest point of contention among most people looking to get a new gaming console. It's really the only selling point that hasn't gone away, despite no longer being absolutely required.

Edit: A comment on the popmech website on this article pointed out that GamaSutra rated the PS4 the most influencial device of this year. For those that don't know, GamaSutra is one of the more respectable gaming sites on the internet, and tends to follow the industry workings instead of the general gaming culture that we usually see on here. If GamaSutra believes it's that influential, then it's likely they believe that because the devs are heavily influenced by it. That is a good thing for gamers that like the PS4.

http://www.gamasutra.com/vi...

[gameonbro]

so why are these fools crying, bitching & complaining? xbox one is more innovative for non-gaming reasons hence popular mechanics digging on it

gamasutra is a game rag so..... they would pick the ps4

give kudos to where they go.

[rainslacker]

If they're calling it innovative outside the gaming arena fine. But I have to ask, why are they giving credit to MS for the X1 when everything that the X1 can do non-gaming wise has been done already, by several years I might add. Samsung has a TV line with a camera/mic built in that can do every TV/streaming function the X1 can do, and it's been out for at least 2 years. Your basic bargain blu-ray player comes with all the streaming services and wi-fi built in. Control your cable boxes with your voice or a single source? Logitech has been doing that for the longest time. They have the technology down pat I might add, and their remotes are awesome.

Even PopMech says the Kinect is an upgrade to current tech, so not particularly innovative, just an extension of existing technology and ideas.

I also question which developers are saying it's so advanced that they have barely begun to grasp all it's possibilities. You'd think we would of heard of some of that on here since we have our ears to the ground on all things gaming. It's a purely hyperbolic statement. The system isn't even that advanced compared to PC tech, which devs seem to have a pretty firm grasp on. Same goes for the PS4, so I'm not singling MS out on this. I haven't seen a dev say that they can't grasp all that the system can do yet on the PS4, only call it very powerful and easy to work with.

Why is everyone complaining? I dunno. I can't speak for them. The comment from the article sounds like PR spin to me, and I don't personally want to accuse MS of paying for it because I do have some respect for the publication. I just question their reasons for finding it revolutionary and evolutionary.

[finbars75]

How can it in the top 10 breakthrough when it doesnt offer any more but less then the PS4.Im not bashing it but it seems alittle fishy dont you think?Plus the console isnt even out yet and have they even had the console running on its own yet?I do think that yeah MS has there hands in the wallet in this one.Because yes either you like to admit or not there really hasnt been any good news about the Xboxone since it was first introduced months ago.Its easy to be skeptical about something like this after all the negativity.

[badboy776]

Microsft $$$$$$$$$$$$

just like edge magazine top 10 consoles

[3-4-5]

Breakthrough of what?

They didn't even breakthrough their own BS.....internally.

[Pogmathoin]

I think this is about innovation. PS4 is really powerful..... 2 different beasts. Which I guess to the many trolls and fanboys, is all bullshit. Now, however if the title said PS4, it would be a very respectful magazine......

[Ashes2Ashes]

As you alluded to they are a hugely popular and long standing publication that can't be "bought". Though I would assume many will still believe Microsoft paid them for this.

[johndoe11211]

Are you out of your freaking mind??? There isn't a bloody publication in this world that can't be bought. What planet are you living on?

The xbox is getting it's ass handed to it by the ps4 and their pr campaign has been a total and utter disaster from day one. The negativity surrounding the xone is almost unheard of since the dawn of consoles and somehow it's being advertised as the best thing since slice bread buy stores and magazines? You cannot be that gullible.

I'm not saying that microsoft did pay them off, I don't know and i don't care, but to say they cannot be bought is way more absurd than thinking they were paid off.

[jessupj]

You're an absolute fool if you think just because this publication is prestigious they're not going to accept money from MS.

In the words of many a MS apologist on this site, they're a business and need to make money and don't care about you, the customer.

[HighResHero]

lol @ "can't be bought" and "hugely popular".

[Lalanana]

Good for MS

[SlavisH2]

Good for them

[KrisButtar]

Popular Mechanics is right IMO. XB1 is in the top ten because the Kinect 2.0 is a leap technologically over its previous model. People may not like it, it may not successful but that doesn't stop it from being an improvement over the last model.

[ThatCanadianGuy514]

And yet, they have zero games at launch to prove why it's needed.

Never even seen a single kinect game that made me say "wow"

[UncleGermrod]

While I mostly agree, no one really cares if you said "wow" or not. No offense, but the magazine was likely acknowledging the tech, not the software that may or may not exist. Even just the TV features and Kinect sports are enough to at least garner some respect for the technology itself

[ThatCanadianGuy514]

But it's not JUST me.Nobody, apart from the diehard fanboys who would seemingly take a bullet for a microsoft rep can honestly say there is a single AAA kinect game.

[KrisButtar]

@DayZ

It could have zero games during its whole entire lifespan and that wouldn't change the fact that the tech behind the Kinect is an improvement over the last. Which is why its ranked 9th by Popular Mechanics which is a tech magazine not a games magazine.

Edit: I dislike motion gaming, I don't think gaming should ever focus on it again but that doesn't change the fact motion gaming was revolutionary.

[CYCLEGAMER]

@dayz
The kinect does a lot more than play games.

[amiga-man]

Yes it will switch on your console for you I have a button on my controller that does the same thing, M$ is using the Kinect as a marketing tool monitoring your reactions to advertising then selling the data it's all about money with M$ one day people will wake up to it.

[jessupj]

That's the thing though, like you just said, "it's an improvement". It's nothing revolutionary, it's merely an upgrade from it's predecessor. And it certainly isn't a "breakthrough", let along to considered anywhere near the top ten technical breakthroughs of the year.

It's fine if you like kinect, but IMO it's just an improvement over the first camera, nothing more.

Having said that, MS hasn't really showcased it and all it's features yet, so they could still impress me.

[KrisButtar]

@jessupj

"That's the thing though, like you just said, "it's an improvement". It's nothing revolutionary, it's merely an upgrade from it's predecessor. And it certainly isn't a "breakthrough", let along to considered anywhere near the top ten technical breakthroughs of the year."

Did you look at the rest of the list? As what you said there could apply to a few others on the list

#4 The Seiki 50-Inch 4K TV #7 Boosted Boards Longboard, #8 BMW i3

Those are all just improvements of the original

Motion gaming was revolutionary(Wiimote, Move, Kinect) and the Kinect 2.0 is an improvement/upgrade from that revolution.

[zhuk is god]

At least there are one Smart people here, you're right, you fuc..g right......Kinect it's a powerful reason for give some credits to MS, only for that they deserve all awards, the tech inside its really wonderful and if the sony's sheeps can't see, it's not our problem.

[christocolus]

i really dont know what fanboys are complaining about...nothing good comes to the xbx without ms paying for it..but if it was the ps4 in that list we all know what we would be hearing...i personally im hyped for kinect..the tech in that device is groundbreaking and im glad its in the box..soon great aa devs will begin to show us what it can really do..dr3 , d4 and kinect sports aint even scratching the surface yet....ms research is working on some concepts and so are shinji, hideo k and other great talents...

[ALLWRONG]

Kinect is very successful http://www.1up.com/news/kin...

[TechMech2]

Kinect 2.0, and hdmi in, along with the 300,000 servers.

[Allsystemgamer]

Kinect. Sure it's cool but no one wants to use it

HDMI in is not impressive

300 000 servers. Wow. I'm sure that's a real great improvement. They're just dedicated servers.

[CYCLEGAMER]

I have been a gamer for 23 years and I want to use it.

I think the HDMI port is a cool addition, I may never have to use my remote control again (doubt I wont)

How is 300,000 servers not a improvement?

[TechMech2]

No non gamer sees any other system as a breakthrough. Every other system is just the same exactly system with more power....

[Ohlmay]

As much as we all hate the XBOX One, the system does show case a lot of innovation for hardware like the Kinect which will not only change gaming but will change tons of industries (e.g. Medical, science, education) just like the original Kinect. The Azure Cloud will definitely change Multiplayer gaming, we are already seeing it in Titanfall with the AI controlled Mechs and AI and many more things like what it does for Media and Home Entertainment.

[limewax]

Sorry to burst your bubble but the Kinect will never change gaming. Unless you mean by making game so casual that we all have nothing left to play but dance games.

Also your understanding of the Azure cloud is way off the mark. The Azure Cloud will never allow anywhere near 300'000 servers for the Xbox, its' for all of MS's product ranges and even partners who want to pay up for it. Windows 8 and their awful phone range will take a colossal bulk of it initially, then whoever pays for it gets the leftovers. Those leftovers will mostly go to big companies with no nothing to do with gaming, then that last couple perecent MIGHT end up with devs.......provided they are happy to pay the ongoing fees for using them.

Of course the fact that these devs can afford servers of their own in most cases and would be a cheaper option is worth nothing I guess? Get ready to see the EA and Ubisoft clouds emerge in the near future, as they dodge the crap out of the Azure cloud and the fees.

[Ohlmay]

Just like Kinect didn't change Education, Science, Medicine industries? It's only a matter of time before a developer discovers new mechanics that only enhance the gaming experience. Well MS has stated it wants every game on Xbox Live to run on these Azure servers and that it's available for all developers to utilise and everything you're stating is an "ASSUMPTION", unless you can back up your own statement with facts then you aren't proving any sort of compelling argument.

These developers can afford servers... Is that why Infinity Ward is utilising the Azure servers for Ghosts on Xbox One? The whole point of Azure is to offer developers a network infrastructure that saves developers thousands if not millions in on going and maintaining server fees...

[TechMech2]

I don't hate Xbox one...

[strigoi814]

yup good for MS, breakthrough for bringing bluray discs and still using batteries..

[Trekster_Gamer]

Yep another Sonybot troll ...
As far as batteries they have never been an issue. The fact you have the ps3 powered on to charge the controller via the sync cable was more of a pain

[KwietStorm_BLM]

lol how was that any bit of a pain? Nobody turned their system on just to charge the controller. I'm assuming you know that you can play while it's plugged in.

[NumOnePS3FanBoy]

someone is living in backwards town. Get with the times. Batteries with in these regards are obsolete

[ALLWRONG]

When Xbox batteries go out you can just replace them. When the PS controller batteries go out you have to replace the controller. How do you see that as an advantage? MS's method is cheaper.

[bsquwhere]

Popular Mechanics is owned by Hearst Magazines. Who has partnered with MS off and on for that last 7 years.

Edit: Say what you want, but they are business partners. Supporting your partners is what's good for business.

https://www.microsoft.com/e...

[JokesOnYou]

-Popular Mechanics is completely independent of Microsoft of they calloborated in 2006 to put content from PM on MSN Lifestyle.

From your link:
"This collaboration will enable MSN to further develop innovative programming for its MSN Lifestyle Channel"

-Truth is they just arent fanboys so they give unbiased professional advice on both, this like other positive playstation news is from 2009 well after you imply they were supposedly under the payroll of micro:

"Why Sony's Slimmer PS3 Makes a Great Holiday Gift: Gift Guide"

"it's the most future-proof of the current-generation home consoles. It packs more power under its hood than either the Nintendo Wii or the Xbox 360--a fact that is just now becoming apparent with the release of new PS3-exclusive titles (such as the superbUncharted 2: Among Thieves) that seem to be beyond the technological capabilities of other consoles. And unlike the Xbox, which charges users $8 or so per month to access its Xbox Live Gold online gaming service, the PS3 players can shoot it out against each other in online games likeCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2for free. The PS3 also streams Netflix Watch Instantly movies for free (using a free DVD, and with a Netflix subscription), whereas the Xbox requires an Xbox Live Gold subscription." 

"Finally, the PS3 is also one of the most future-proof Blu-ray players on the market. Unlike many models, its online capabilities allow it to update easily and take on new functionality as the still-developing Blu-ray standard advances."
http://www.popularmechanics...

-hmmm or is this just because sony paid them

[bsquwhere]

Google it and you'll find that they are partners still to this day. I grew up reading Popular Mechanics. It's a good magazine. Fact is that Hearst and MS are business partners. When money is involved you can't take something like this seriously. It would be the same as a Sony partner praising the PS4. Overall I'm trying to look at it from a business stand point, where you go full fanboy on me. So I guess...um the jokes on you asshat.

Edit: I feel like I've struck a nerve. I never dreamed a Xbox loyalist of such elite stature would ever get all up in my post with some links and stuff. Big day. Go me.

Lol just playing, but no seriously you went full fanboy.

[UncleGermrod]

Seems like many are forgetting that despite some of the bad PR and spec war stuff etc., that MS has made quite a cool piece of tech with the overall XBOX One package. Magazines like pop mechanics are prone to acknowledge the technical achievements of things like say, Kinect 2, regardless of how many people wind up liking/disliking the product itself. I don't think MS paid them, but you never know.

[MRMagoo123]

read the comment above lol they are technically partners, MS havent had good press from anyone that they arent monetarily involved with.

[UncleGermrod]

maybe so, but it is a collaboration, not a partnership. And that doesn't mean the tech itself would not garner some positive views for what it is doing

[GrandpaSnake]

partners, colabs, its the same thing. This is called advertising advertising advertising and MS knows exactly how to fool people, but you know what its not working. This is exactly what i do when i use references for my jobs, i get people that like me the most/people i have worked with to say nothing but good things about me when the company calls. Thats why its about ten time less impresive when you find out MS owns/pays for almost every single bit of good advertising for the xbone.

[DoubleM70]

Say what you want disagree all you want. The Tech that has went into the Kinect is good very good. If it was the other way around you all be praising Sony. Just cut the crap and give credit when it's due.

[NumOnePS3FanBoy]

Kinect... really? That's what xbone supporters are trying to push as the second coming. This is just sad.

[Trekster_Gamer]

Typical Sonybot lingo spewing...

[TheOneEyedHound]

Um....... I'll put the Boston Bombing as a bigger breakthrough than the Xbox One.

[pacosanchez88]

bad form

[riverstars86]

Individuals like TheOneEyedHound shouldn't have any bubbles.

That comment seriously makes this community look bad.

[kenmid]

Haters gonna Hate

[FrigidDARKNESS]

Fo Sho.

[curtis92]

Hey look another Xbox sponsored list.

[renewill]

Pathetic PS fanboys

[corvusmd]

Wow, you post something positive about XB1, and all the scared insecure PSZombies come out and try to trash the whole thing. If PS4 was truly the better system, you wouldn't be so scared that you had to troll all day. It's seriously pathetic...you're so see-through and shallow. Stop crying, no one cares...at least use facts when trying to cry about a system you hate. You can just...not buy it...but no, you know that PS4 isn't the crushing system you want it to be, so your insecurity makes you try to crush XB1 with a smear campaign...it's all bull and whinny little kid crap. If you're a true gamer, there is nothing to hate about XB1.

Cry and dislike all you want, I'm not going to read it, I've seen your opinions and don't respect them, I'll never even see you cry.

[renewill]

I agree with you a 100pct. If your a gamer I should think you want both.

[kenmid]

Well said...........

[Hicken]

I guess there's no such thing as reason when it comes to you MS fanboys.

The problem here isn't that it's something positive about the XB1. The problem is WHAT is said that's supposed to be a positive.

They talk up the Kinect's functions, which is fine. It's a pretty big improvement over the original, so no complaints there. But they didn't list the Kinect; they listed the XB1. And to that end, they give NO reasons for why it should be on the list.

Well, except Kinect.

But they talk about the XB1 like it's amazing hardware!... except they don't actually say anything about what makes it so amazing. They say that, technologically, it's a huge upgrade; that may be true, but IN WHAT WAY? You'd expect a magazine with a name like "Popular Mechanics" to go further in-depth than that.

And you'd expect them to differentiate between a console and it's peripheral.

You'd also expect them to get the price for Live right.

But none of those things happened.

Instead, like MS fanboys tend to do, they hyped Kinect as the selling point(without much basis or emphasis on the games), and kinda glossed over the rest of the system.

And then that response of yours.... talk about see-through and shallow.

[Trekster_Gamer]

Well said !!!

[Animal Mutha 76]

@Corvus

Agreed. I do wonder what it is that the hardcore Sony fans are so scared of.

If PS4 is the second coming as they have been led to believe then surely it won't matter what MS and Xbox does as the PS4 will trounce it in every area.

The venom and frequency of the trolling of any slightly positive X1 news says a lot about their insecurities about the Sony brand and the lingering pain from the corporate mauling that PS3 got this gen by a much stronger competition.

It's all daft really as both systems will offer experiences that gamers will want.

[Studio-YaMi]

"If you're a true gamer, there is nothing to hate about XB1."

smh ...

[renewill]

So Sony doesn't pay off companies?

[FrigidDARKNESS]

Yes they do. Edge Magazine and Forbes.

[strickers]

Funny. I stopped reading Edge because I got sick of the anti ps3 articles, columns and reviews.

[gamer2013]

Why aren't they praising the PS4? Whaa!

[level 360]

Looks like Popular Mechanics forgot to ask Sony to see their PS4..

[kenmid]

I guess they gotta win the Taco Bell sweepstakes first.

[NumOnePS3FanBoy]

HAHAHAHAHAH :'D too funny. that title

[Mega24]

Hate from all directions, just buy your damn machine and walk out and don't look back, don't speak to fanboys of the other machine, so they wont speak to you, is that easy, don't try to enforce your choice of machine on others, my motto "I want what I want, nobody can deny me my choice of console".

Peace

[Soldierone]

Fanboys aside, magazines are not what they were. There are still a few older generations of people that still think magazines are "better" than the internet or other outlets, but they are not. You could pay almost any major publication to say anything. A lot of them are desperate for money just to stay on stands, look at Rolling Stone's trash.

Even local newspapers (at least in my state) are not great journalists anymore. They are constantly called out for false information, but the reason they do it is to get readers.

I respect the persons opinion, and this is good for the audience and for MS, but beyond that its no more than saying "oh some blog here thinks PS4 is made by god"

[wiz7191]

Any positive spin Microsoft gets everybody just had to turn it into a negative .. hop off Sony nuts they make terrible mistakes just like anybody else

[OmegaShen]

So this means Eyetoy is good then, seeing how it is the same idea as kinect. Just no mic and doesn't move on its own, I fail to believe Xbox One is a breakthrough of 2013.

I think there is far better things then it, like cars being able to drive themselfs, VR and other stuff. Kinect 2.0 is just upgrade of the old one. Its like making something alittle better and calling it a breakthrough.

[Godoftheweek]

Eyetoy has a mic, Pseye has 4 omnidirectional mics, PlayStation camera has 4 improved mics from the eye.

[Max-Zorin]

Sony and MS fanboys acting like Sororities as usual.

[solidworm]

Dem Moneyhatz.

[horndog]

Best next gen console hands down. You can just do more with it

[strickers]

Except for games

[mhunterjr]

I just don't understand why folks believe every positive Microsoft article is somehow a slap in the face to Sony.

Is it so hard to believe that raw graphical power isn't the end-all-be-all of gaming potential for some folks?

Is it so hard to believe that the all-in-one approach is appealing to some folks.

Did we forget that praise is based on personal opinion, not sales data, not spec analysis.

Sony has already gotten plenty of praise, deservedly so... why does ms getting some rile you guys up?

[nugnugs]

Because its likely paid for praise!!! Which isn't really praise at all.
Consoles aside, if a company pays for positive media coverage, they should be called out. This should apply to anyone and everyone. If a brand of toothpaste makes claims that are untrue or hyperbole, they should be put in there place, right??
I dont like fanboyism, it's weird, but some people are genuinely tired of all the BS rich companies get away with.

[Torgul]

For sure you must have some proof that m$ paid for this article

[mhunterjr]

How is it more likely that they 'paid' for praise? Are you basing that off of fact? Or do you just think no one can legitimately like the device since you don't like it?

[nugnugs]

I did clearly say likely. These things DO happen in business and advertising. The point Im making is, we need to have a healthy level of skepticism or greed and lies will prevail.

[mhunterjr]

But why is it that the skeptics only come out when Microsoft is praised? Should we be skeptical of all the praise Sony is getting? Or better yet, should be assume that MS' negative press is fueled by a Sony moneyhat? That would be rediculous right?

When you say that something is 'likely pay for praise' your saying that the chances are slim that the writer actually thinks MS has a good product. And you have absolutely no evidence to make such a claim.

There is a difference between skepticism and bias.

[nugnugs]

You've assumed I'm a Sony fanboy then? So far I haven't seen anything untoward from them for me to complain about. If I thought they were doing something anti-consumer I would feel the exact same way.
Tbh I'm not too impressed with paying for online next gen with Sony, which I have voiced in these forums.

[MyWordIsGospel]

Cash for review scores, go m$.

[obelix01]

You pay $50 a year now on 360 for a subscription to Xbox live so $50 is not a big deal or anything new.

[medziarz]

Ahh, the hate is beautiful,

myu-ha-ha-ha-haaaaa

[CaulkSlap]

And yet no Oculus Rift? Yeah somebody at MS is writing checks.

[alexkoepp]

I don't think OR is having a commercial release this year but I may be wrong on that...

[annus]

Occulus rift is just a cheaper version of products that have been around for decades, that's not really a breakthrough. Though the same could be said for some of the other things in their list.

[Tctczach]

There is no way this is a decent piece of technology. They got paid, so obvious. Blah blah blah.

We haven't even played them yet... either of them. Can we not take them for just that? Half the articles on this site are old flame articles that get recycled. Now that one positive thing happens to one of them everyone drags its name through the mud. I don't even know what these stupid fanboy fights are over anymore. I know I didn't help at some point but now it's ridiculous to where we as a community don't even respect or even seem to care about games anymore. All it is is who is more powerful or still bitching over something that had been changed. I plan on getting both because they both have exclusives I really want to play.

[ghostrider32]

So much trolling. I see there are people that can't seem to get over what happened seven years ago.

[redwin]

Microsoft owns N4G. They keep this site to read what you say and fix everything. You are the focus group.... Muuuhaaaa.... Muuuhaaa..if this false statement a second though you have a psychological problem.

[alexkoepp]

Of course PS4 didn't make this list, it's a PS3 with a share button...

[DigitalRaptor]

The fact that 2 people agreed with you is pretty astounding, but then again Xbox loyalists are pretty generic with their ignorance, so why should it be so surprising?

Let's GO:

1) Play games as they download
2) Watch live streams of games your friends are playing and jump into the multiplayer feature of that game within seconds.
3) Jump into another person's game over the network, to take over/co-op.
4) Stream classic games when Sony lets you in 2014.
5) Download the single player and multiplayer separately.
6) Smart systems calculate games that you want to play and downloads them automatically.
7) Application and game multitasking and state switching.
8) Instant resume - playing a game? Turn off PS4 -> go away for an hour -> turn the PS4 on and instantly resume the game without booting up.
9) Updates download in the background without you ever knowing.
10) Instantly upload, share and stream your gameplay to different social sites.
11) Remote play built into its core. If you invest in Vita TV, you can play on other devices and screens whilst another family member watches TV.
12) PS4 camera can be used to navigate the OS using voice commands, and probably hand gestures. It can do facial and speech recognition as well as games.
13) Dedicated tablet and mobile support for second-screen gaming. Results already out there.
14) PlayStation app to view your profile, friends progress, statuses and purchase games to be downloaded to your PS4 remotely.
15) Sony is bringing in unprecedented indie support and pushing those games to the forefront, handing indie developers the toolset which provides them the means to create unique, fun and impressive experiences very quickly and easily.
16) MMOs on console as a standard.
17) Free-to-play as a standard.
18) Cross-buy and cross-play as a standard.
19) DualShock 4 is completely refined and re-engineered, but maintains the classic PlayStation style.
20) DS4 has a touchpad, which has already given developers interesting ideas, and now that Valve is pushing a touchpad on their controller, it's going to look less and less "gimmicky" once it's put to use.
21) The light-bar on the DS4, means that the camera can see where players are positioned and on split-screen games it will shuffle the screen order. And that is just one possible use of the light-bar and how it can impact gameplay and experience.

[jay2]

Um......... Right fine............

[Thomaticus]

When you pay to put your product on a list like this , the list loses credibility.

[alexkoepp]

Good thing sony didn't do that, nice to have a credible list

[5eriously]

M$ s'got a lot of money. They can buy any company to do some shilling for them! First Toys R Us now PM Mag! Expect many of these "Top X" articles and awards to come in he next few months before and after the #eXB0Ne release. That is the only way M$ is going the boost their sales as there are not much else going for it at the moment!

[NeloAnjelo]

Breakthrough?
Do they mean... Will it break? True!

Not yet in consumer hands, and already it's in the top 10 in 2013.
MS clearly needs these articles.

[5eriously]

[stuff + 17h ago
http://www.microsoft.com/en...

^^^ Says it all.]

Good stuff. Who would have thought otherwise? Off course this is first hand prove of the disingenuous way in how M$ operates screwing the consumer. There is just no low on where and how Microsoft will ensure they sell their goods. But you know what? Millions of Americans will fall again for this M$ scam. They are scam artists like never before in American corporate history. All above board off course. That's how America rolls!

[Petebloodyonion]

WOW!
the title was: Top 10 Breakthrough of 2013 not top best consoles of 2013 or top 10 success of 2013.

I know people love to hate the kinect but it has been a breakthrough.
Just have a look at Smart Hdtv and the camera sensor on it and you can see exactly where the idea came from.

Now, Kinect 2 bring a lot of potential and new ideas to the table.
Here's some:
TV producers putting smart ads in tv show (I don't like it) or having your own setting brought up by looking at the cam like your favorite channels.

[kaozgamer]

It has not even been released yet...

[H0RSE]

As far as "next-gen" and "revolutionary" goes, I would say that X1 beats PS4 in this category. PS4 might be the beefier console, boasting more powerful hardware and system specs, that could result in higher resolution and framerates, but that's really all it has. From a purely gaming perspective, that is great news, but there's nothing really innovative or revolutionary about powerful hardware, especially considering PC's still reign king in this area, even before the new consoles launch.

It's other big feature is PS+, and although it is a nice service, again, there's nothing really "wow" about it - similar services have been available on PC for years.

I won't deny that X1 has weaker hardware, but between the Kinect and its capabilities, the features the new Xbox will offer, MS's extensively customized hardware, and the potential of Azure, I really see the X1 as being much more "next-gen" than PS4. It's almost like Sony concentrated so much on PS4 having a "for the gamers" mindset, that the console comes off a little bit bare-bones.

There's nothing really unique about the PS4. X1 seems to have more going for it terms of aspects that make it stand out from the crowd, the Kinect alone is evidence of this. Note this - I am not bashing the PS4. I acknowledge where it excels as a gaming device, I am simply giving my opinion on a specific topic.

[MacTastic]

I would think that if microsoft never did 180s than it might be revolutionary. But to just go off of kinect is a big stretch since it's just a 2.0 version. I mean I don't think spiderman reboot could be considered revolutionary.