Next-Gen Xbox Dev Kits Ship

Technology website The Inquirer is reporting that Microsoft have shipped prototype development kits for the next generation Xbox. The kits feature dual-CPU Apple Power Mac G5 systems with ATI Radeon 9800 Pro graphics solutions, which can be later upgraded to ATI R420. Microsoft have allegedly told developers that the prototype SDKs are only intended for preliminary work and the hardware specification of the final console will be radically different. The early appearance of these kits suggest that Microsoft are still intent on launching their new format well before either Sony or Nintendo. Although these rival machines may launch in Japan in 2005, it seems likely that the next-generation Xbox will be the only new format to appear in the US next year. Source: The Inquirer