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The successor to the Xbox 360 will reportedly feature bolstered integration with the TV and cable set-top box, allowing users to control TV programming with a Microsoft-skinned interface.

According to a report from The Verge, once users connect the next Xbox to a cable box through a HDMI connection, the console will "take over a TV and set-top box in a similar way to Google TV."

A requirement of the new video game console is users must remain online at all times to access streaming services or TV signals. The report also says the motion sensor Kinect will add eye-tracking support similar to what Samsung revealed with its Galaxy S4 smartphone, where videos will pause if an user looks away from the screen.

The Verge also reports Microsoft will host an event this May where they are expected to unveil the next Xbox.

The continued integration of the Xbox with television and cable services should come as no surprise, considering the Xbox 360 has evolved from a video game console to a broader entertainment device. The Xbox hosts several cable apps, including Verizon FiOS and Xfinity, that let users stream select channels directly to the console. The device also hosts other services including Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go and Amazon Instant Video.

Last year, Xbox 360 usage for entertainment purposes surpassed multiplayer gaming for the first time ever.

The potential announcement of a new Xbox would also set up the eventual showdown against Sony, which unveiled the PlayStation 4 during an event in February, as well as Nintendo's Wii U, available since last November.

source : SoNuB.com