New Xbox to release within 18 months, support Skype?

PanARMENIAN.Net - The next Xbox will release within the next 18 months and supports Skype, a couple of Microsoft job adverts suggest, Digital Spy said.

One advert for a marketing position based in Redmond Washington hints at a busy period for Microsoft, saying that the firm will release new versions of its "most significant products", specifying the new Xbox, Office, Windows and Surface.

"Over the next 18 months Microsoft will release new versions of all of our most significant products including Windows (Client, Server, Phone and Azure), Office and Xbox, along with completely new offerings like Microsoft Surface," reads the job advert.

"This wave of product launches will define the course of the company for years to come and thus provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to refresh and evolve our strategic brands.

"The Microsoft brand strategy team is looking for passionate, creative, team-oriented branding experts to help us lead this transformation," it adds.

A UK role, meanwhile, seeks an individual to work with the Redmond team integrating Skype into the next generation Xbox.

"The team you 'it is responsible for Skype join in the living room (broadly the home), across goal: various devices with a focus on the wide screen and the next generation of Xbox," the ad reads.

The news comes after a recent slip suggested that Windows 8 will be compatible with the new Xbox.

Microsoft subsequently clarified the comments, saying that any comments related to Windows 8 and the immediate wave of products, including the upcoming Xbox 360 dashboard update.

The Xbox autumn dashboard update was announced at E3 2012, and will add new features including Internet Explorer, Xbox Music and SmartGlass support.

SmartGlass will also assist with navigation of the Internet Explorer Xbox 360 app, and allow users to resume streaming videos on their mobile device that started on the Xbox 360.

Last month, Microsoft accepted applications for a public beta test of the new dashboard, which will begin rolling out to qualifying users in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, rumours surround Microsoft's next Xbox console, after a series of leaked documents suggest it will integrate with Kinect 2.0 and the long-rumoured Xbox TV.