In one of the more bizarre rumors of the year so far, an Xbox Series S toaster is reportedly in the works. The Xbox Series S toaster has come out of nowhere, with no prior rumors about its existence before this.
The console has been a huge financial success for Microsoft, with the Xbox Series S reportedly outselling the Xbox One's lifetime sales already in some regions. As the little brother to the Xbox Series X, the console has provided a way for gamers to experience next-gen gaming at a much more accessible cost. Upon launch, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X were often difficult to come by due to a shortage of parts, and the Xbox Series S for many was their only route to the next-gen.
The report of an Xbox Series S toaster comes from French site Xbox Squad, which shows images of the device purported to cost 60 Euros, and is rumored to be released this year. It features three toasting modes and very closely resembles Microsoft's console. According to the report, the toaster would be the beginning of a brand-new wave of licensed Xbox merchandise, with Xbox ramen bowls, RGB mouse pads, storage boxes, pen holders, and more allegedly on the way in 2023. Xbox is releasing new accessories frequently, although they're usually related to the console itself as opposed to something completely separate. However, if the rumor comes to fruition, this toaster could find its place as part of a gaming-obsessed home.
On the surface, the possibility of an Xbox Series S toaster certainly seems strange, however, it's not the first time the company has released a home appliance based on its consoles. Last year, Microsoft released an Xbox Series X mini fridge following an abundance of online memes about the shape of the console. It's the same scenario here, with Microsoft leaning into the joke. It's refreshing to see a corporation take a light-hearted approach to become a meme online, as opposed to taking itself too seriously.
Away from conquering the toaster market, Microsoft remains extremely busy attempting to get the drawn-out Activision merger over the line. As part of the latest update, Sony has been ordered to reveal trade secrets to Microsoft to prove that the merger would harm the Japanese company in the long run. There seems to be no end in sight to this case, although gamers will be hoping it's soon settled either way, so Microsoft can shift its priorities back to crafting great games.
Source: VGC