Xbox 720 Should Be Released in Spring 2014, Analyst Says

A new Xbox console – the oft-rumored Xbox 720 – should be released by Microsoft in the spring of 2014, at least according to Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter, who believes that Microsoft will still achieve impressive sales even if it’s not going to release the device during the 2013 winter holiday season.

Next-generation consoles are pretty much confirmed to be revealed by both Microsoft and Sony next year. As such, many are now wondering when the consoles will actually be released on the market.

While it’s obvious that both companies might target the 2013 winter holiday season, things might get a bit too crowded during those couple of months.

As such, analyst Michael Pachter believes Microsoft would be wise to release its Xbox 720 in the spring of 2014, in order to allow its loyal user base to get the console without having to step on the feet of other holiday shoppers.

"If I were a betting man (and I am), I would say a spring 2014 launch makes more sense, since hard core “Xbots” could get a console without having to compete with moms buying gifts at holiday, and it is likely that they won't manufacture more than a few million units for launch," he told X360 Magazine.

Pachter also believes that the Xbox 720 will fully support cable television services, effectively turning it into a TV box.

"It's pretty clear to me that Microsoft intends to allow the Xbox 720 to function as a cable TV box, allowing cable television service providers to broadcast over the Internet through the box, with SmartGlass as the remote controller, and with the Xbox 720 using Windows 8 to split the TV signal into multiple feeds, allowing consumers to divert different channel feeds to different displays within the home," he added.

Microsoft also presented a variety of new features for the current Xbox 360 at E3 2012 earlier this month, so the company is still maintaining a focus on its present device.