14 DAY TRIAL // It seems that a new version of the Xbox One home console has been manufactured in plants in China or Taiwan since February of this year, which means that Microsoft is seeking to accumulate stock that it can quickly deliver to interested customers when it finally releases the rumored new piece of hardware.
Apparently about 400,000 units are being created in a week, which means that more than 3.6 million are at the moment sitting in warehouses and double that will exist before an potential official announcement and launch later in the year.
A NeoGAF thread features an image that mentions that the codename for the new device can be translated as second generation Xbox One or as Xbox One II, although the name that will be used to market the platform will likely be another one.
Of course, the image could be a solid fake or the hardware that's mentioned might be something other than a new version of the Xbox One.
Microsoft has a long-standing policy of not commenting on speculation about the future of its hardware and other leaked info but if the company is not ready to make an official announcement about the future of its home console more such rumors will pop up.
The Xbox One is probably getting a Slim version this year
Phil Spencer, the leader of the gaming division, has mentioned that his team is interested in improving the power of the home console, although it wants to deliver a big upgrade rather than incrementally boost its capabilities.
Sources inside the company are saying that a new Slim version of the Xbox One is what the company is getting ready to reveal, and presumably manufacturing since February, with a smaller profile, smaller energy consumption and probably the same price of 349 dollars or Euro.
Other rumors are talking about several prototypes that Microsoft is currently evaluating to find the best way to improve its console in the near future.
The company has revealed that a small firmware update for the Xbox One will be offered before the end of the week, although no big features will be introduced, and that it is planning to deliver a more substantial improvement during summer, alongside the coming Anniversary version of the Windows 10 operating system.
This year the big video game launch for the Xbox One is Gears of War 4 from The Coalition, which will be delivered on October 11.