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The Xbox One S All-Digital edition completely omits a Blu-ray/DVD disc drive, allowing Microsoft to sell the console for the lowest starting price of any Xbox One so far.
With no disc drive, people who buy the Xbox One S All-Digital will need to build their library of games through Microsoft's digital store, and rely on streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Go to watch movies.
Other than the missing drive, the All-Digital Edition console has all the same specs and performance as the standard Xbox One S.
Microsoft revealed the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition during their Inside Xbox stream earlier this afternoon, confirming months of rumors about a new version of the Xbox One.
The newest model of the Xbox One will completely forgo a disc drive; a bold move that reflects Microsoft's longterm investment in the Xbox marketplace and video game streaming technology.
The Xbox One S All-Digital Edition is available to pre-order for $249, the lowest starting price for any Xbox One model. Microsoft said the All-Digital Xbox One will arrive in stores on May 7th; the package will also include three free Xbox One games, "Minecraft," "Sea of Thieves," and "Forza Horizon 3."
Removing the disc-drive from the All-Digital Xbox One S helped lower the price. It's otherwise identical to the current Xbox One S.
The specs of the All-Digital Xbox One S are identical to the current Xbox One S, except for the removed disc drive. That means the new Xbox One doesn't offer any improved technology for current Xbox One owners to consider an upgrade.
It does offer a lower starting point than the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, for those looking to invest in a home video game console. However, it'll be important to have a quality internet connection to make proper use of the All-Digital Xbox One S.
The All-Digital Xbox One doesn't need to be online constantly, but you'll need a stable connection to access most Xbox content. If the All-Digital Xbox One isn't your first Xbox One console, you'll need to go online every once in a while to verify your ownership of digital games and movies, which is not required for games on disc.
Buying the All-Digital Xbox One means players will depend on an online collection hosted by Microsoft, rather than owning their discs forever.
With no disc drive, people who buy the Xbox One S All-Digital edition will need to rely on the Microsoft's digital marketplace for Xbox One software. New Xbox games typically release physical and digital copies on the same day, with few exceptions.
However, the prospect of an exclusively digital library means All-Digital Xbox One owners will depend on cloud-hosted copies of their games that could potentially disappear some day, instead of physical discs that they can share with other people and use without an internet connection.
Even though the All-Digital Xbox One lacks Blu-Ray and DVD playback, the Xbox owners have access to all types of streaming content and TV viewing options.
Microsoft has worked to build a simple, effective ecosystem for digital Xbox content and the decision to forgo discs with the newest Xbox shows their faith in the online platform. Even as the All-Digital Xbox One loses the ability to play Blu-ray and DVD movies, Xbox owners will still have access to 4K HDR TV and movies from Netflix, Hulu, and a host of other streaming video and digital content providers.
Microsoft will also offer a combined discount on Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass to sweeten the deal.
To make the All-Digital Xbox One an even better deal, Xbox will also begin offering its two subscription services, Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass, at a discount when players sign up for both. Game Pass gives players access to more than 100 Xbox games they can download on demand, while Xbox Live Gold is necessary for multiplayer online games, and gives free games to subscribers each month. Live Gold and Game Pass typically cost $9.99 per month each, but a new plan, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, will combine the services for $14.99 per month.
The next generation of Xbox hardware will incorporate Microsoft's Project xCloud video game streaming service.
Microsoft is still working on the next generation of Xbox hardware, which is expected include its streaming video game service, Project xCloud. Like Google's recently announced Stadia, Project xCloud will be able to stream Xbox games to smartphones and other non-Xbox devices. Trials for Project xCloud are expected to begin this summer, and rumors suggest Microsoft may tease its next generation hardware at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo.
