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Re:Microsoft kills official way to activate Windows 11/10 wi... by petepete on Saturday January 03, 2026 @02:22PM (#46480464)
They're pulling out all the stops. If you told me that whoever was in charge of the consumer versions of Windows was trying to drive it into the ground, I'd believe you.
Re:Microsoft kills official way to activate Windows 11/10 wi... by chocochunks on Saturday January 03, 2026 @02:32PM (#46480583)
They're working on Xbox too!
Re:Microsoft kills official way to activate Windows 11/10 wi... by tialaramex on Saturday January 03, 2026 @03:02PM (#46480936)
At this point probably there's no room for another Playstation-style video game console. My friend who plays only console-style video games, the sort of person who owned Wii-U and an Xbox One as well as that generation of Playstation, bought a gaming PC last year. He will undoubtedly buy a Switch 2 at some point, to play a Zelda or something, but why would you buy another Xbox?

So I think Xbox becomes a brand for video games with Windows and then gradually it loses relevance until one day the question is "Why isn't Minecraft on Steam like a proper video game?"

Re:Microsoft kills official way to activate Windows 11/10 wi... by eek2121 on Saturday January 03, 2026 @05:13PM (#46482258)
According to leaks with an excellent track recordWe are getting at least 1 more console, and possibly 2. The first (most likely) is a classic Xbox, the second is a handheld. After that, who knows?

All I know is that I own both an Xbox Series X and a PS5. I use the PS5 more. I also own a PC, and it sees more than 1,000 times the usage of either. I bought the PS5 for exclusives, and Sony began changing that. However there are still alot of older PS4/PS5 titles that are fun to play, and some games are just better with a controller and a TV.

That being said, I'm likely not going to purchase any other consoles.

Re:Microsoft kills official way to activate Windows 11/10 wi... by tialaramex on Saturday January 03, 2026 @07:09PM (#46483253)
The desire for controller + TV obviously also affected my console-gaming friend. So, the gaming PC is hooked up to a wireless controller and to his gaming display + audio setup, which was historically a ceiling mounted projector and surround speakers (he moved since I last spent hours playing games with him)

The PC means there's a wireless keyboard and some sort of pointing device, but they're just for launching games & basic admin.

Edited to add: Also WTF for refreshing the Xbox. Who is the audience for this product? What is your lead title? Another Halo? But there's going to be an excellent Halo for the PS5 and for PCs, right? A GTA? But people want the newer GTA which won't fit. Maybe I just don't understand the vision here.

Re:Microsoft kills official way to activate Windows 11/10 wi... by dotancohen on Saturday January 03, 2026 @02:27PM (#46480522)
To be fair, Microsoft did deliberately drive Nokia into the ground.
Re:Microsoft kills official way to activate Windows 11/10 wi... by wvenable on Saturday January 03, 2026 @02:52PM (#46480835)
Nokia was driving pretty close to the ground before Microsoft ever got involved.
Re:Microsoft kills official way to activate Windows 11/10 wi... by lfllfkddl on Saturday January 03, 2026 @03:51PM (#46481399)
Well, many consider Elop to be a Microsoft asset.
Re:Microsoft kills official way to activate Windows 11/10 wi... by saubeidl on Saturday January 03, 2026 @03:58PM (#46481469)
Maybe the Finns got their mole in to extract revenge. Don't forget Linux is Finnish as well ;-)
Re:Microsoft kills official way to activate Windows 11/10 wi... by wiseowise on Saturday January 03, 2026 @05:49PM (#46482527)
Perfectly balanced, as all things should be.
Re:Microsoft kills official way to activate Windows 11/10 wi... by justsomehnguy on Saturday January 03, 2026 @04:41PM (#46481917)
Look at the Nokia sales volume, revenue and the date of Burning Platform memo - and don't repeat this bullshit ever again.