Microsoft Introduces Xbox One S All-Digital Edition: 229

We had announced it and in the end all the forecasts have come true. Microsoft has announced its new console focused on the digital format. This is the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition, a machine that for the first time, abandons support for the physical format by ceasing to include, in this case , the UHD Blu-ray player.

Perhaps it is the first step, before giving everything with Project xCloud, with a _streaming_ of video games that for many is the true future that awaits us. But What does this Xbox One S All-Digital Edition bring to today's landscape? Is it interesting to buy?

Very few differences

Nothing changes in terms of design, as we are dealing with a model that almost traces the shapes offered by the original Xbox One S. You lose the slot to insert the UHD Blu-ray discs and the button to eject them, but little else.

In its interior, this Xbox One S All-Digital Edition hides no improvements. It mounts a 1TB hard drive for installing games, although it is still a traditional HDD. SSDs will still have to wait.

Regarding the rest of the _hardware_, few or no differences. It features support for 4K resolution, the ability to work with video in HDR (High Dynamic Range) and support for object-based audio (Dolby Atmos and DTS:X ).

This is the first Microsoft console that dispenses with the physical format after the Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. In addition, this Xbox One S All-Digital Edition will mean that to be able to play and buy games we are going to require network connection always and everywhere The games will have to be purchased exclusively from the Xbox Store, something similar to what happened with apps for Windows 10 S Mode when it was released.

Allow me to hesitate

The company claims that this allows our games, always saved and safe in the cloud, will form a digital library always with us . In addition, they say, we will have the ability to pre-install games at the time they are released.And to entice buyers, it has three games already loaded: Minecraft, Sea of ​​Thieves, and Forza Horizon 3.

And as expected, with the new machine, Microsoft also announced Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, the combination of Xbox Game Pass with Xbox Live Gold. A service that allows access to more than 100 games for $14.99 per month, which will arrive at the end of the year.

Price and availability

The Xbox One S All-Digital Edition will be available on May 7 (May 8 in Spain) for $249 ($229 , 99 euros in the case of Spain) and can be reserved from now on this link. This, in turn, will be compatible with the new Xbox Game pass Ultimate service.

Personally, let me doubt this move. Same _hardware_, a similar _software_ and an almost identical price, losing the UHD Blu-ray option? I'm not saying that it's not the future that awaits us, unfortunately, but right now and at that price I don't see it as an interesting option

I don't think Xbox One S owners would be interested in taking the leap and potential buyers I think an Xbox One S It continues to be more appealing to them because of the versatility it offers. Support for games in physical format, without the need for a network connection, a cheap UHD Blu-ray, in case you want to take advantage of your home Blu-ray discs and all for a similar price. I think that for it to have been interesting, or at least striking, this console would have had to have reached the market at a much lower price. _What's your opinion about it?_

More information | Xbox