I've lost track of how many times we've speculated about Microsoft adding a Blu-ray drive to the Xbox, or of working with Toshiba on the Xbox.
You may recall that Microsoft has blown hot and cold over the issue of adding Blu-ray to its games console, while Toshiba got all defensive (via their PR company at the time) saying that it has nothing to do with the future of the Xbox.
In which case, that either means that the latest rumour is untrue, or that a joint venture between Toshiba and Samsung is completely different to anything Toshiba themselves would do. Of course, Toshiba still loathes Blu-ray (at least officially), preferring to upgrade DVD technology, so a deal with Microsoft couldn't possibly be true, could it?
X-bit Labs thinks so, reporting that Toshiba-Samsung could be bringing an external Blu-ray drive to the Xbox, retailing for between $100 and $150.
Presuming there's no update to the Xbox itself, the drive would perform the same function as the now defunct HD DVD drive -- to play back movies rather than for loading games stored on Blu-ray.
Of course, this is still pure speculation, despite "market sources close to the Toshiba-Samsung partnership" saying it's true.
We'll keep you posted. Oh, and to twitchy Microsoft, Toshiba, and Samsung public relations people: we're just reporting a rumour.
(Via STL Today)
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