This generation of the console wars is being marked by something of a tectonic shift in the overall landscape. Even as far back as the Xbox 360 era, gaming consoles were consoles first. Sure, users could stream Netflix or Hulu (News - Alert) or surf the Web through the console, but these were somewhat secondary considerations that arrived later. This generation, though, is different, and the Xbox One has a clear aspiration toward being an all-in-one entertainment box covering not just gaming, but also music and video entertainment. But how is that working so far? Taking a look at some of the early reports suggests that the goal is in sight, but there are still issues to overcome before it can achieve its dream in the fullest sense.

Indeed, the Xbox 360 didn't get Netflix capability until late November of 2008, about three years after its launch date. So the Xbox One is really the first model to launch specifically with larger aspirations in mind. But how is it doing on that front? There are indeed many points to consider here; not only will the Xbox One be launching with the Kinect offering voice and motion control, a new TV overlay system called OneGuide and Blu-ray capability, but also, several developments are still being put together.

A recent demonstration showed off some of the critical points. For instance, OneGuide was shown to work well in terms of live television, but didn't work so well when it came to working with a DVR system. Granted, the issue goes away when reverting to the cable box remote for DVR access, but that's not really what was intended here under the model of Xbox One as living room hub. But OneGuide does also have some ramifications for the cable-cutters out there, bringing Hulu into the channel guide, as well as things like Xbox Videos. There's even some talk that Netflix and even YouTube (News - Alert) could get in on the action, and that would make this a pretty valuable prospect.

Bad news, however, for those using the Xbox 360 as an entertainment app portal: many of the streaming media apps currently available aren't likely to make the jump to Xbox One, at least, not necessarily at launch. That's not to say there won't be a pretty robust lineup—Sony's Crackle is in play, as are the big three of Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon Instant Video—but HBO Go won't be immediately in play. Plus, Microsoft (News - Alert) is eager to see Xbox One-specific app versions, which will mean developers will need more time to convert the apps accordingly instead of just porting the app to a new platform.

So the picture becomes a lot clearer following these reports: the Xbox One is on its way toward being a complete home entertainment hub with all the appropriate bells and whistles in hand. But there are still some issues that will need to be overcome. This may not prove to be a problem, as many gamers are adopting a wait-and-see attitude about the next generation, seeing if any problems emerge in the new systems—the “Red Ring of Death” is still weighing heavily on the hearts of many Xbox gamers out there—that may be just what Microsoft needs to get the last coats of paint and chrome on the whole affair and make it a real showpiece.

There may be some issues still needing addressed, but there's plenty of room for the Xbox One to be a whole different affair from its ancestors.