Microsoft has unexpectedly pitched its upcoming Xbox One games console as a business productivity device, suggesting the £429 hardware's inclusion of Skype, SkyDrive and Internet Explorer could make it "an entirely justifiable business expense".
The console, fully revealed last month at the E3 conference in LA, is already seeing solid pre-orders from its target audience as its November release date draws closer, but Microsoft Xbox MVP Marques Lyons still took to the company's "Small Business" blog to "throw another device into the mix" for those considering consumer technology for their enterprise.
Further reading Mattrick leaves Microsoft for Zynga as Ballmer takes over Xbox One project Microsoft Build 2013: Xbox One and Windows Phone get Unity support Microsoft U-turns on Xbox One DRM policy after week-long negative public reaction
"The Xbox One, priced at $499 [£429], is an affordable option for small business owners, as there are many features built into the console that could help it rival even the most modest of video conferencing and networking platforms," said Lyons.
Lyons said Skype on the Xbox One would "utilize the size of that nice TV screen to see every smile and nod as your next great plan comes together".
He also suggested the console's SkyDrive access, via app and web browser, would mean small business owners need not "worry about attaching a PC to the TV or using a projector. Store your videos in SkyDrive and then use the app to open that video".
Lyons also said future integration with the Wi-Fi Alliance's Wi-Fi Direct standard - which will enable direct Wi-Fi connection to printers, instant device synching and visual display, among other benefits - would key into Microsoft's existing tablet and Xbox-interfacing SmartGlass app.
Lyons' blog contained no direct reference to Microsoft's previously mentioned "Windows 8 operating system" segment of the console's alleged "three operating systems" coming into play through Xbox One productivity use.
It seems clear from the blog that Microsoft has no immediate plans to allow users direct access to raw Windows 8 operations through the Xbox One. Instead, the emphasis seems to be on using Internet Explorer's connection to SkyDrive and Office Web Apps to run content directly through web clients.
After an embarrassing U-turn on DRM policies and the resignation of Microsoft president of interactive entertainment, Don Mattrick, who left to become CEO of rival games platform Zynga, questions are increasingly being asked about Microsoft's business direction with its new console.
