Xbox One turns into cord-cutting threat with OTA tuner addition

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) unveiled its long-awaited over-the-air tuner add-on for the Xbox One, immediately entering the gaming/entertainment console into the growing list of OTA devices targeted to cord cutters.

OTA antenna tuner dongle

Hauppauge's new OTA dongle for Xbox One. (Source: Microsoft blog)

The Hauppauge TV Tuner, a dongle that fits into the console's HDMI port while connecting to an OTA digital antenna on the other side, is retailing via Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) and the Microsoft store for $59.99. Microsoft is also packaging the dongle with a Mohu Leaf 50 antenna for $99.99, claiming a $30 price savings.

With the addition of the device, Xbox One joins a growing list of set-tops that allow TV viewers to access free over-the-air broadcast without a pay-TV subscription. TiVo is another early entry into this market with its Roamio OTA DVR, which requires a $15-a-month subscription. 

Hauppauge users will have the ability to pause live TV for 30 minutes, navigate channels via Kinect voice control and minimize the TV viewing screen to simultaneously play games and watch TV. 

Users can also stream OTA programming to other devices in the home using the Xbox app on Windows 10 devices or the Xbox One SmartGlass app on Windows devices. 

For more:
- read this Microsoft webpage

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