Upcoming Xbox One update might let you use external drives

According to Microsoft product director Albert Penello, external drive support for the Xbox One has always been on the company's docket to enable in a future update. That refresh looks to be on the skyline after an unnamed Xbox developer took to Reddit to tease an image showing that very feature in action. Members of the Xbox One preview programme are often privy to early features, which have recently included improved Party Chat and manual checks for system updates, but this leak will likely attract the most attention. Although the Xbox One ships with a 500GB internal hard drive,  blockbuster games can command 50GB (if they're installed locally) without breaking a sweat. That game storage, of course, adds up over time. Attaching an additional drive will not only stop you from running out of space, it'll also stop you from voiding your warranty with a do-it-yourself replacement.

Game format Optical disc, Downloadable

• Online features Multiplayer, Voice chat, Video chat, Store, Browser
• Drive capacity 500 GB
• Controller type Wired, Wireless
• Motion controls Camera / optical
• Video outputs HDMI
• Released 2013-11-22

·         Buy from $466

·         HDMI

  General

• Game format Optical disc, Downloadable
• Disc loading type Slot loading

Controllers / accessories

• Controller type Wired, Wireless
• Wireless type Infrared
• Battery size AA (Rechargeable)
• Charging cable Proprietary
• Direction control D-pad, Thumb stick (2)
• Motion controls Camera / optical
• Rumble support Built-in

Audio / video

• Video outputs HDMI
• Video formats 1080p, 720p

Media

• Audio playback Yes
• Video playback Yes
• Photo viewer Yes

Networking / online service

• Internet connectivity Yes
• WiFi 802.11 n
• Ethernet 10/100/1000 [Gigabit]
• Online features Multiplayer, Voice chat, Video chat, Store, Browser
• Downloadable content Games, Game updates, TV shows, Movies
• Game achievements Yes
• Friends list Yes
• Service fee Yes

Storage

• System storage Hard drive
• Drive form factor Internal (Removable)
• Drive capacity 500 GB

Hardware

• CPU cores 8
• GPU speed 853 MHz
• System RAM 8 GB
• USB 3.0

Power

• Power adapter External

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Google is near buying game video service Twitch

AT&T may not be the only one landing a big achievement this weekend. Variety claims that Google's YouTube division has struck a deal to buy Twitch, the game-focused video streaming service, for more than $1 billion. Neither side is commenting on the rumor, but it's easy to see why YouTube would splurge -- Twitch has more online viewers than some big sports networks, and a takeover would instantly secure a larger presence in the gaming world. Google is apparently expecting a battle with regulators, which might claim that the deal stifles competition with other internet video providers. If the sensation is accurate, though, the company clearly believes that the expanded audience is worth the hassle.

Update: The Wall Street Journal corroborates the rumors, but says that it's still early; Twitch may ultimately raise funding rather than sell itself off. The video-streaming service has told  that it currently has no comment on the report.

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Michael Jackson's holographic return at the Billboard Music Awards

Michael Jackson isn't the first subsequent recording artist to be recreated by light projection -- Tupac got there first -- but it didn't stop the gathered crowds at the Billboard Music Awards thumping themselves into a frenzy during the performance. Naturally, it all coincided with Jackson's Xscape album, launched earlier this month, but the surprise was ruined a few days early by litigation between several holographic companies over the tech being used. We've embedded ABC's coverage after the break although the performance looks a little flat on video. And don't worry: there's moonwalking.

It's unlikely to be the last holographic performance from a music artist that's no longer with us, but the notion of holographic music shows is gaining grip beyond that, whether it's for the fictional computer-generated (and Vocaloid-powered) Hatsune Miku, or even an entire fascination devoted to K-Pop performances in Seoul, which, like the Billboard performance today, attempts to blend holographic video with real-life dance performers.

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