Microsoft Secures "XBOX 8" Name

[David Anderson]

• Interesting discovery, before an inter-look of mail readings, I came across a news coverage bestowed on the home page of Yahoo!. Reading through coverage of CNN Tech I came across the semi-full story.
  

Source: Yahoo!

Coverage Source: CNN Tech

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Microsoft has trademarked the name "Xbox 8," leading to speculation about a possible new gaming console

?(CNN) -- Wait -- we weren't done pondering the Xbox 720. So what, if anything, is "Xbox 8"?

The real, no-fun, answer is "maybe nothing." But it's been enough to kick up a round of speculation among tech and gaming enthusiasts after Microsoft fought, and won, against a cybersquatter who had grabbed the Web address for that name.

The National Arbitration Forum, which handles international business disputes, ruled in Microsoft's favor in a complaint against a Chinese national who had filed for a whole host of addresses representing both current and imagined products.

They included XboxPhone.com, XboxTablet.com, XboxLiveTV.com, XboxCompanion.com, Xbox8.us and Xbox8.org.

Microsoft filed the complaints in May. Tech site Fusible reports that the domains listed in the disputes were ordered transferred to Microsoft in late June after two separate panels found the man who filed for them had no rights to the domains and that they were being used "in bad faith."

The inclusion of "Xbox 8" may have just been a matter of Microsoft gaining control over anything that looks as if it should be theirs. But its inclusion alongside other names that are easier to explain sparked speculation online Tuesday about what the name might mean.

Many observers immediately wondered whether it might be the name of the next Xbox gaming and entertainment console.

Microsoft is widely expected to roll out a new version of its popular Xbox 360 console within the next year. The name most people expect? Xbox 720.

Last month, a 56-page document from Microsoft was leaked. Dating back to mid-2010, the document contained plans for an "Xbox 720" that utilizes the new Xbox SmartGlass system and new hardware for its Kinect motion-recognition system.

Perhaps a better guess is that "Xbox 8" could be software. Windows 8 promises to be a massive overhaul of the operating system that will marry PCs with tablets and smartphones. It stands to reason that the Xbox will be included and "Xbox 8" would make sense in this regard.

Of course, imagining a new console is more exciting.

"XBox 8? Didn't know the XBox 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 came out," one Twitter user wrote.

Alas, says gaming site Joystiq:

"It's tempting to suspect Microsoft is eyeing 'Xbox 8' as the next console name due to the two domains that reference it; however, Microsoft already began integrating Xbox Live, and the 'Xbox' name, into all its consumer products, including Windows 8. Also, it would be really weird if a domain squatter guessed the name."

[NoLiMiT06]

I really like the idea of Xbox Infinity which looks like the number 8. Going from Xbox 360 to Xbox 8 seems kind of dumb if you ask me...

[BajiRav]

I really like the idea of Xbox Infinity which looks like the number 8. Going from Xbox 360 to Xbox 8 seems kind of dumb if you ask me...

whatever they name it - we'll get used to it :/ I initially thought that Xbox 360 was stupidly long.

[rfirth]

I really like the idea of Xbox Infinity which looks like the number 8. Going from Xbox 360 to Xbox 8 seems kind of dumb if you ask me...

+? ;)

[George P Global Moderator]

This could have nothing more to do with the name other than it has "Xbox" in it. It's a trademark and MS owns it and will protect it, so they're just grabbing up domain names in that sense I think. I doubt the name will be "8" though Infinity does sound good to me specially if they have systems in place for the next console were you can "upgrade" it later down the line so it's not as old as the 360 has become now.

[Xerax]

I really like the idea of Xbox Infinity which looks like the number 8. Going from Xbox 360 to Xbox 8 seems kind of dumb if you ask me...

Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, Xbox 8... It makes perfect sense.

[Calum Veteran]

Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, Xbox 8... It makes perfect sense.

Ooh, I didn't think of it like that. Interesting point.

[George P Global Moderator]

Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, Xbox 8... It makes perfect sense.

That sorta works until you factor in that the Xbox will be around way longer than WP8 and Win8 unless MS decides to start doing x.1 updates to them which I doubt.

[M_Lyons10]

Hm... Makes sense. It goes in line with their current branding. Everything it seems is going 8... lol

[ahhell]

"Interesting discovery, before an inter-look of mail readings, I came across a news coverage bestowed on the home page of Yahoo!. Reading through coverage of CNN Tech I came across the semi-full story."

:blink:

Is this spam?

[M_Lyons10]

That sorta works until you factor in that the Xbox will be around way longer than WP8 and Win8 unless MS decides to start doing x.1 updates to them which I doubt.

Unless each update to the XBox is a leap... Maybe they will just keep it inline with their Windows version? If the rumors are true and the Windows 8 product will somehow make an appearance (Even if users don't even know it) on the XBox, it might make sense... Plus then the version number will always be ahead of the competitions unless they start using random numbers too. LMAO

[+Ryster Subscriber²]

Ooh, I didn't think of it like that. Interesting point.

Was that sarcasm? Or did you really not link the number 8 to Microsoft's other upcoming products? ;)

[.Neo]

Ooh, I didn't think of it like that. Interesting point.

LOL I really hope you're joking... That's the first thing crossing my mind.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Xbox Infinity would be much better than Xbox 8.

Not sure if anything will ever be as 'catchy' as 360 again though. Heck most people just call it the 360, not even mentioning Xbox. I don't really see people saying "you playing on your infinity?" :p

Isn't infinity a car or something in America? For whatever reason I get the picture of a car in my head.

[Ci7]

Xbox Infinity would be much better than Xbox 8.

Not sure if anything will ever be as 'catchy' as 360 again though. Heck most people just call it the 360, not even mentioning Xbox. I don't really see people saying "you playing on your infinity?" :p

Isn't infinity a car or something in America? For whatever reason I get the picture of a car in my head.

:)

Nissan infinity

[Detection]

X8OX

[Kondrath]

Xbox 8? But I already have Xbox 360. You all are behind.

[SuperJediMedia]

Why so hung up on a 'Rumored' name? Discuss when it's official.

[Dotdot]

Hopefully it,ll be octagon shaped :p

[ChazEG]

Wonder if they are going for Xbox Inifity, the symbol for infinity is similiar to an 8 on it side!

XBOX ?

MAybe I s hould have read Page 1 first. d'oh

[Buio]

That sorta works until you factor in that the Xbox will be around way longer than WP8 and Win8 unless MS decides to start doing x.1 updates to them which I doubt.

It might depend on the success of Windows 8. If it's not popular like Vista for example, they probably will change the name standard quickly again. Windows 7 was successful, and it's easy to understand that Windows 8 is the logical upgrade name. If Windows 8 is successful, they can release new versions with subnames, like Mac OS X does. For example; Windows 8 Farfalle, Windows 8 Penne, Windows 8 Fusilli (install Windows 8 Penne in 11-12 minutes!).

[neoadorable]

GP has a point, there's no way the 720 will be Xbox 8. that name may refer to some sort of Xbox-related aspect of Window Phone 8, or maybe Win 8 itself. not the next Xbox.

[McKay]

What happens in 3 years when Microsoft release Windows 9?

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Why so hung up on a 'Rumored' name? Discuss when it's official.

Because you've never orgasmed over movie rumours!

[George P Global Moderator]

What happens in 3 years when Microsoft release Windows 9?

Which is why the whole "Xbox 8" name makes no sense. Now I agree that the 8 could be infinity which would make more sense because i'm sure MS is looking to make the next xbox be somehow upgradeable, be it though more software updates or maybe even a combination of future cloud gaming services. Xbox Live Gold starts to look better if you also get access to something like OnLive out of it.