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"The Xbox One, the last of the eighth generation consoles, will hit shelves in North America this Friday, a week after Sony's PlayStation 4. \nThe Microsoft gaming device was first rumored to be called the \"Xbox 720\" in late 2011 until its official name was announced on May 21.\nSee also: 9 Things You Should Know Before Buying an Xbox One\nOur timeline, below, details the developing news of the console as it was released, everything from the first rumors to launch day, even the outrage surrounding Microsoft's initial policy on used games. \n\n\n\nMicrosoft Unveils the Xbox One\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Xbox One\nEnding years of rumors and speculation, Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One, the successor to the Xbox 360, on May 21, 2013. The price will be revealed closer to launch (expected holiday), but the new console has superior processing power, comes bundled with the Kinect sensor and has new abilities for watching TV and movies more conveniently.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nXbox One Hardware\nThe Xbox One console comes bundled with the Kinect and a controller.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSkype on Xbox One\nWhile you're watching a movie, Skype engages in \"snap\" mode on the side of the screen\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTV Guide\nMicrosoft says the Xbox One is an \"all in one\" device -- here's how your TV guide looks on it.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nImproved Kinect\nThe Kinect is said to be much improved, capable of detecting subtler body movements, such as rotating joints.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nController\nThe controller got a revamp, too, with dozens of tiny modifications, although the overall shape stayed the same.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGameplay Rendering\nWith superior processing power, avatars can look more detailed than in Xbox 360 games.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGameplay Tracking\nThe Xbox One can perform four times the number of calculations per second as the Xbox 360.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEA Partnership\nEA is a key Xbox One partner. The company is launching a new gaming engine with the console: EA Sports Ignite.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nForza Motorsport 5\nForza Motorsport 5 is another EA game coming to Xbox One.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpielberg to Helm Halo Series\nSteve Spielberg will be lending his talents to an upcoming live-action TV series based on the Halo franchise.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCall of Duty: Ghosts\nThe new installment in the Call of Duty franchise will make use of the Xbox One's hardware to tell a more engaging story, with lifelike graphics.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAnimation Detail\nThe Xbox One will allow for much more realistic animation.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDog Scars and Tattoo\nEven the dogs will look better in Call of Duty: Ghosts. This one has realistic scarring and a tattoo in the ear.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAction\nThe next generation Xbox will be able to deliver movie-like experiences in games.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHave something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.\nImage: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty; Mashable infographic"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2013/11/19/the-long-road-to-the-xbox-one/>