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Rumor: Microsoft testing wireless chips for use in upgraded Xbox One

Patents submitted to the FCC show an Xbox One wireless chip complete with model number, but an NDA forbids the FCC from spilling the beans... until just after Microsoft's E3 press conference.

David Craddock

April 19, 2016 2:30 PM

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Microsoft Xbox chief Phil Spencer told Game Informer earlier this month that the company has no plans to release an Xbox 1.5. "If we’re going to move forward, I want to move forward in big numbers," he said. "I don’t know anything about any of the rumors that are out there, but I can understand other teams’ motivations to do that. For us, our box is doing well. It performs, it’s reliable, the servers are doing well. If we’re going to go forward with anything, like I said, I want it to be a really substantial change for people–an upgrade."

That is to say, just because Spencer put the kibosh on an Xbox 1.5 doesn't mean Microsoft has nothing up its sleeve, especially since Sony's busy prepping NEO, the company's upgrade to PS4. NeoGAF member ekim poked around and turned up filings submitted to the FCC that confirm Microsoft is testing an Xbox One wireless chip replete with a new model number.

Conveniently, photos of the new Xbox as well as concrete details are being kept under lock and key. "The applicant can chose [sic] to NOT make certain information public by the FCC which mostly includes photos, manuals and drawings of the device," wrote ekim on NeoGAF forums. "But those documents have a [sic] availability date."

An NDA between Microsoft and the FCC expires on June 25, just 12 days after the console manufacturer's E3 2016 press conference.

The plot thickens: according to The Verge, sources say Microsoft has been fiddling with a number of Xbox prototypes. "Some of the prototypes have been tested with upgraded components you'd use to improve the performance of a PC gaming rig," according to The Verge.

Pundits expect Microsoft and Sony to let their half-step cats out of the bag during E3 in June. Considering Nintendo has promised to share NX details at the event, E3 2016 is shaping up to be one of the more exciting events in recent memory.

David Craddock

Long Reads Editor

David L. Craddock writes fiction, nonfiction, and grocery lists. He is the author of the Stay Awhile and Listen series, and the Gairden Chronicles series of fantasy novels for young adults. Outside of writing, he enjoys playing Mario, Zelda, and Dark Souls games, and will be happy to discuss at length the myriad reasons why Dark Souls 2 is the best in the series. Follow him online at davidlcraddock.com and @davidlcraddock.