Microsoft is pitching the upcoming Xbox One as a jack of all trades device, suggesting the eagerly awaited games console will also be a viable business tool for many.
Having already strayed somewhat from its core gaming routes, introducing a variety of TV enabled and on-demand multimedia and streaming services, Microsoft has now claimed the Xbox One will be an “enticing business expense” for small business owners.
Not just a way to procrastinate and pass quite hours with a controller in hand, Microsoft has suggested that the Xbox One’s ability to make use of services such as Skype, SkyDrive and all manner of Internet Explorer apps will see it become part of business owners’ future collection of must-have tools.
“What is being positioned as an excellent entertainment device can be just as enticing for you and your small business,” Marques Lyons, Microsoft Xbox MVP and the Director of Consumer Camp said in a recent blog post.
He added: “In fact, it's entirely justifiable to make the Xbox One a business expense. The Xbox One, priced at $499, is an affordable option for small business owners, as there are many features built into the console that could help it rival even the most modest of video conferencing and networking platforms.”
With the likes of Office 365 to be available through the Xbox One from the launch of the PS4 rival, Lyons has suggested that the platform’s app collection could well grow to incorporate all manner of business tools and services, not just entertainment and gaming based features.
He stated: “The app story of Xbox One has yet to be written, therefore it is entirely possible to find apps down the road that could be of benefit for you and your business.
“With the processing power, snap mode, and connection to a large screen, that the Xbox One has, this device is capable of going from the 'break room' to the 'board room'.”
The Xbox One was formally unveiled as a direct replacement to the ageing Xbox 360 in the lead up to this year’s E3 2013 expo. With an Xbox One release date set for this November and an Xbox One price at £429, Microsoft’s next-gen console will hit retailers within a matter of weeks of the PS4 but cost £80 more than its leading rival.
Read More: Xbox One pre-orders
