Gaming’s game changer

From the crack of dawn, technology stirs us with its reliable alarms, and caresses us with the cooling breeze of our ACs as we drift off to sleep, weaving its wonders into our everyday lives. GT pays homage to this silent saviour that simplifies and enhances our existence with a brand new series, unwrapping A to Z of iconic tech pieces, one letter at a time. Here’s presenting the X in this series that changed human life as we know and live it.

The tech: Xbox
The inventor: Kevin Bachus, Seamus Blackley, Ted Hase, and Otto Berkes

How was it invented?
Microsoft created the Xbox to enter the rapidly growing gaming console market and compete with Sony’s dominant PlayStation 2. In the late 1990s, as the PlayStation 2 became a home entertainment hub, offering gaming along with DVD and CD playback, Microsoft saw a need to respond. A team at Microsoft began envisioning a console that could rival Sony’s, leveraging their expertise in software and gaming. This led to the creation of the Xbox, named after Microsoft’s DirectX graphics API. Built around a powerful Intel Pentium III CPU and an Nvidia GeForce 3-based GPU, the Xbox launched on November 15, 2001, marking Microsoft’s first venture into the console market and solidifying its position in the gaming industry.

When did we get to know it first?
The world was first introduced to Xbox in November 2001, with the launch of the original Xbox console in the US. The launch was a massive success, selling 1.5 million units in North America by the year’s end, driven by the popularity of ‘Halo: Combat Evolved’, which tremendously sold one million copies by April 2002. Originally focused solely on gaming, Xbox branding evolved over the years, becoming Microsoft’s digital media entertainment brand from 2012 to 2015.

Why do we use it?
Xbox is used for its exceptional gaming and entertainment capabilities. The console offers high-quality graphics and smooth performance, particularly in the latest models like the Xbox Series X, enhancing the overall gaming experience. With an extensive game library, Xbox provides access to a wide range of games at an affordable price. Its robust online platform, Xbox Live, facilitates multiplayer gaming and global connectivity.
How has it helped our lives?
The Xbox has significantly improved our lives by offering a comprehensive gaming and entertainment experience that extends beyond traditional gaming. With high-quality graphics and performance, especially in the latest models like the Xbox Series X, the Xbox delivers stunning visuals and smooth gameplay. Its extensive game library, including exclusive titles and the popular Game Pass subscription service, offers endless entertainment options at an affordable monthly fee. Xbox also excels in online multiplayer gaming through Xbox Live, making it easy to connect with players worldwide. Additionally, Xbox consoles serve as versatile entertainment hubs, providing access to streaming services, media apps, and web browsing, making them a central part of our digital lives.

The race to blue

When Colours Compete, Sky Tells The Tale

Raleigh scattering is the cause of the blue sky. The gases and particles in the air cause sunlight to disperse in all directions inside Earth’s atmosphere. As a result of its shorter, smaller waves, blue light scatters more than other hues of light. For this reason, the sky is blue.

Vaishnavi Yadav
AIS VYC Lucknow, X B

“Dad, why is the sky blue and not green, pink, or even purple for that matter?” Ria innocently questioned her father.
“Because Blue earned it,” her father lovingly responded, leaving her confused. “Are you interested in hearing the complete tale?” he added looking at her perplexed face.
“Of course, dad,” she responded with a grin. And so he began, “A long time ago, as Sky sat gazing upon his neighbouring planet Earth and its vibrant beauty, he could not help but wonder as to why he lacked the same. That’s when the Sun intervened and, to answer his query, the Sun said, just add colours to your black-and-white existence. And before you ask, I can help you with that.”
The notion pleased Sky, for he was well aware of Sun’s abilities, but he couldn’t yet decide on the particular colour that would suit him best. “Let’s call upon the seven daring colours, namely Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red, my light’s made of and let them compete to do the job for you. The colour that reaches the fastest, wins,” stated the Sun, resolving his issues yet again. The rules as such were set and everyone was eager to start the race, but was it possible to have one without a little drama? And that’s what Red, the fastest and tallest of the group, proffered when he teased Blue for his inability to run owing to his stout stature. “Are you prepared to lose today, Blue?” he said and chuckled, making everyone laugh. With this, the race soon began, and the colours rushed across the sky.
Red was the colour that managed to enter the first milestone, the vacuum, the earliest, and others followed soon. As they proceeded towards earth, their next milestone as they termed it – the atmosphere proved to be quite an obstacle. For to reach Earth from here, all the colours were required to travel through atmospheric particles, particles that were so closely scattered that one could barely move through. Red relatively found it harder to pass through due to his long legs. Blue, on the other hand, squeezed in and scattered effortlessly, emerging victorious in the race, leaving the remaining colours in shock.
As he arrived at the finishing line,  the entire sky turned blue to congratulate him. Though Red expressed sadness for his defeat initially, he praised blue for his victory, and offered an apology for being conceited earlier. At this, Blue responded by saying, “Don’t worry, friend; I really didn’t mind your words, for we are all a valuable part of this universe and can enjoy its treats together.”
“So, my wonderful daughter, this is the reason the sky turned blue,” said Ria’s father, concluding the narrative once and for all.