Xbox One hardware and specs: 8-core CPU, 8GB RAM, 500GB hard drive and more

Slot-loading Blu-ray drive? Check. HDMI in and out? Absolutely, considering theXbox One is meant to play a central role in the living room. There's an octa-core processor based on AMD's Jaguar design and 8GB of RAM to go up against the Sony PlayStation 4, plus USB 3.0 ports, 500GB of hard drive storage, WiFi Direct for communicating with the new controller and other devices, and a humungous amount of silicon to drive it all: no fewer than five billion transistors, which compares to 1.4 billion in your average Intel or AMD chip (although Microsoft may be included other processors and DSPs in that count). And just in case you're wondering, the switch to an x86 PC-style architecture will indeed preclude backwards compatibility with 360 games.

As for the box itself, well, it looks rather a like a little HTPC with black and silver case and a big Xbox logo -- a visage with actually tallies with the fact that's running a PC-like x86 architecture inside. There's a full list of specs after the break, which we're continuing to build out as more details pour out of Microsoft's Xbox One ongoing launch event.

Processor and graphics: as rumored, a heavily customized AMD chip that combines an eight-core CPU, a GPU tailored for DirectX 11.1 graphics and 32MB of high bandwidth embedded ESRAM memory. The 28nm chip will consume around 100 watts, which is slightly higher than current Xbox Slim and PS3, but Microsoft promises noise from the cooling fans will be "four times quieter."

System memory: a Sony-rivaling 8GB of RAM, although it'll be DDR3 instead of the PlayStation 4's GDDR5.

Audio and video: 1080p and 4K both supported; 7.1 surround sound.

Kinect: This will be bundled with the console and contain 250,000-pixel infrared depth sensor as well as a regular 720p web cam.

Storage and media: a 500GB hard drive of unknown speed plus a Blu-ray / DVD combo drive that will be used as little as possible. We're told disc-based games will be ripped to the HDD automatically.

Connectivity: HDMI 1.4 output and passthrough; a "few" USB 3.0 ports; gigabit Ethernet; plus, three separate 802.11n radios to allow the console to communicate with its controller (over a form of WiFi Direct) as well as other devices (such as perhaps other Windows-based phones and tablets) without losing its connection to the internet. At other times, two radios could be used to maintain a stronger WiFi signal.

Land Rover Defender Update Scrapped

Land Rover’s exciting new Defender replacement were all the buzz at the India Auto Expo, but it looks like the company may not after all launch the upgrade. Land Rover had earlier announced that it will replace the ancient Defender series, with brand new super rugged Off-Roader. This unit was expected to be built along Tata’s new upcoming SUV at a new plant in India. 

A Jaguar Land Rover Engine manufacturing unit which was also planned in India, has been put on hold due to the lack of manufacturing requirements. John Edwards, Land Rover’s global brand director said that the company will make the new Defender, but plans for it to go into production in 2015 have been delayed. The current Defender will still be retired in 2015, because of the impossibility of meeting future legislation and environment norms. 

This major change in plans is due to Tata’s Automobiles’ present financial position, with humiliation in the sales of their recent launches, including Nano, Aria and the new Safari. Tata has suffered huge losses in the automotive sector and continues to undershoot sales throughout the catalogue. The Indian car market has also seen a big depression in the past year, and with this trend, without Tata Motors making significant sales progress, any planned co-operation with Jaguar Land Rover on a back-to-basics Defender is ?not financially viable. 

According to sources, the product design head for the new Defender has also argued against the use of a new chassis to compete with global cars from the likes of Toyota and Ford on an more lower end platform.

Samsung's Wallet app launches in Korea

Samsung showed off its Wallet app to developers earlier this year, and now Korean customers can download it onto compatible Android devices from the company's own app market. Currently it only appears to collect credit card info, which customers can then use to pay for goods and services at online merchants, verified by a one-time password or PIN. Clearly aimed at both Google Wallet and Apple's Passbook, Samsung plans to add a few features we've seen in Passbook that will make tickets, membership cards and coupons accessible all in one place. According to the translated press release it's out for the Galaxy S 4, Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note, Galaxy Note II, Galaxy Note 10.1, Galaxy S II HD LTE, although whether it will be featured in a Gangnam Style 2 video remains unknown.

Update: Commenter Chris posted a pic showing that the app is also live in the US Samsung Apps market, although it looks a bit different and lists more of the Passbook features we were expecting. This may be explained by a post on the Samsung Wallet Partners site, indicating it launched in open beta on the 18th, with support for transportation tickets, membership cards, coupons and event tickets. We checked and it's not showing up on our Note IIs or GS4s yet, but if you have one it may be worth taking a peek at Samsung's app store to see what's waiting inside.

Press Release:

Samsung Electronics releases Samsung Wallet, payment settlement application optimized for mobile environment, on the 22nd that users can safely and conveniently pay money online once their credit card is registered. Smart phone users can simplify the safe settlement process with OTP (One Time Password) certification after the credit card number and PIN number are registered.