The Xbox One has only been on store shelves for six months, but Microsoft is already taking action to try to close the sales gap held by Sony’s PlayStation 4. Microsoft recently announced that the Xbox One will soon be available without the Kinect camera for $399 – the same price as the PlayStation 4. Microsoft also announced that you’ll no longer need a $60 yearly subscription to Xbox Live Gold to access media apps like Netflix or Hulu. And, if you WERE paying for an Xbox Live Gold subscription just to access those apps, Microsoft said it will issue pro-rated refunds to anyone who cancels their subscription by the end of August. We’re still in the very early stages of this video game console cycle, but slower-than-expected console sales forced Microsoft’s hand. So if you’ve been waiting to buy Microsoft’s latest and greatest and don’t think you’ll want or use the Kinect, the $399 version of the console will hit store shelves on June 9.
About Shelly Palmer
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with technology, media and marketing. Named LinkedIn’s “Top Voice in Technology,” he covers tech and business for Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN and writes a popular daily business blog. He's a bestselling author, and the creator of the popular, free online course, Generative AI for Execs. Follow @shellypalmer or visit shellypalmer.com.