Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): Xbox Hand Forced by Sony?

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is usually one that likes to be in complete control of its products and services and controlling its own calendar in announcing launches of its new great products. But now there seems to be some shifting in the calendar, and perhaps it came from something that was actually beyond Microsoft’s control. Can Sony be to blame for Microsoft putting its new product launch on the calendar in pencil?

There is no admission that anything has actually been changed, but the talk that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) was going to reveal a new Xbox console game system in several months. But now, word is that a growing number of developers and others have been alerted that an Xbox event is scheduled for sometime in April, which is sooner than expected. There are suggestions that this event has been moved up on the calendar because Sony “surprised” Microsoft by announcing its new PlayStation 4 at an event this week.

While Sony is not unveiling any actual device at this point (it has only suggested the new console by announcing partners and accessories), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) may be finding an opportunity to actually reveal its device at the event, whenever it is. The original talk was that the new console, which is supposedly to be called “Xbox 720,” would be revealed at the annual E3 convention in June.

There is a consensus that it is time for an update to Xbox, which is seven years old but posted 70 million unit sales for Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT). And certainly with modest numbers upon the launch of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 last fall (partly due to the product launches by Apple and Samsung around the same time) and Sony being Redmond’s top competitor in the console-gaming space, perhaps the last thing Microsoft would want is to be upstaged again.

What do you think? Let us know your thoughts about Xbox and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) in the comments section below. What do you think about console gaming in the tech market?

DISCLOSURE: I own no positions in any stock mentioned.

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