Software giant Microsoft is giving fresh hopes for its Xbox users with the news of next generation Xbox launch by the end of the year 2013. The next generation Xbox is currently under development and is codenamed as Durango. The details regarding this popped out from their job posting page for a flash of time and then later it was removed.

Earlier in the job posting, it was said that they are looking out for experienced candidates for filling out vacancies for the position of Marketing Manager to help publisher and software creator in promoting the latest range of Microsoft products and software such as Office, Windows and the next Xbox.

However, later the job profile for the position of the Marketing Manager has been altered now with the term Xbox no longer a part of it.

It may be worth to recall Microsoft’s usual road map schedule for the launch of new products. Microsoft usually lists a new product 18 months before the next phase of their products would be rolled out. If we go by this simple logic, it would be safe to assume that users can expect the Next-Gen Xbox 720 to hit stores before the end of 2013.

Next Gen Xbox 360 – Expected Features

Some of the rumored features expected with Xbox 720 include the presence of Blu-Ray functionality and an ‘Always on’ feature. This gaming console is expected to use an updated version of Kinect. It is widely claimed that gamers can expect six times better experience in this new console as compared to the existing Xbox 360 console. However, we have little information to share on processor and other specifications at this moment. This product is also expected to use multi-tasking by providing users with the ability to use multiple applications during gaming.

At the same time a Twitter user SuperDaE has also posted what is claimed to be image of the Kinect 2 in action. The image shows an adult and child standing next to each other and includes far greater detail and depth recognition than what is available in the first-generation Kinect.

According to SuperDaE, the leaked image was captured from Microsoft's "Durango" development kit. It's believed that the development kit is currently in the wild and being used by developers for the next-generation Xbox. "Durango" is believed to be the next Xbox's code name.

However, please take note that the above mentioned features are just rumours and cannot be considered as credible information. Microsoft has not yet released any official information regarding the features and specifications of this gaming console.

Read More About: games gaming xbox rumors