Microsoft might be working on a miniature version of the Xbox One

Last year, there were some rumors that Microsoft was working on an Xbox One Slim, and even before they were proven to be false, most people didn’t believe them. The Xbox One had been around for less than two years at the time, so a Slim version of the console wouldn’t have made any sense, and it wouldn’t even make sense now, it’s too early. The being said, some far more plausible rumors have been popping up this week, which claim that Microsoft is working on a lightweight version of the Xbox One that would be something of a crossbreed between a traditional console and a set-top box like the Apple TV. The rumors claim that the device will be weaker and more affordable than the Xbox One, and might not be able to play regular Xbox One games.

Rumors of a “lightweight” Xbox One are gaining steam as 2016 approaches, with a report on Wednesday claiming Microsoft is experimenting with a gaming console hybrid device that could take on Apple TV. Citing sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans, Petri IT Knowledge Base reports the company is again planning a slimmed down set-top box with capabilities falling somewhere between a content streamer and a full-fledged gaming console. Similar rumors cropped up when the Xbox One launched in 2013, the report says. According to sources, the alleged device would be a low power version of its bigger Xbox One brother, and could be limited to lightweight apps and casual Windows Store games sold over the Internet. Current Xbox One owners are able to purchase and download multi-gigabyte titles from the Xbox online store for storage and recall on their console. A scaled down Xbox One is unlikely to launch until the second half of 2016, if at all, and will come with a “much lower” price tag than its full-size stablemate. Other companies vying for the living room have taken a similar approach to tailored content delivery including Microsoft’s gaming industry competitor Sony, which earlier this year launched a nearly identical piece of kit in PlayStation TV. Debuted in Japan as PS Vita TV in 2013, the small set-top device supports PS Vita, PSP and PlayStation One classic games, as well as streaming PlayStation 3 titles via the PlayStation Now beta service.