Rumor: Here we go again with the new Xbox for 2010 rumblings

10:00 AM on 07.22.2009   |   Nick Chester

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According to Digitimes' sources (via Engadget), imaging-solutions company Aptina has won the exclusive rights to supply the 1.3-megapixel CMOS image sensors for a new, Project Natal-equipped Xbox 360 scheduled to hit shelves in the second half of 2010. 

Sound familiar? Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer reportedly dropped vague details that a new Xbox that detects your motion was on the way next year. After the Internet exploded, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg spoke with Destructoid to calm the fires. 

“I can tell you that we are not launching a new console in 2010,” he told us. Ballmers comments were a misunderstanding; he was talking about Project Natal, revealed at E3. 

Yet this rumors still persist, with this one going into quite a few details about the production. ("Aptina plans to expand foundry capcity at its existing 8-inch water fab in Italy, and to look for a foundry partner, the sources said," writes Digitimes.) 

Microsoft has already proven that the technology works with existing Xbox 360 consoles, and Microsoft's development partners (as well as third-parties) already have the tech in-house for testing and future development. But as far as theories go, it's not crazy to think MS would try to refresh the brand with a new, Natal-equipped console. 

But outside of the motion tech, we're not sure if you should expect to many other changes. If this new Natal-equipped console does exist, we'd expect it'll use the same software as the Xbox 360s currently on the market. 

“We’re not going to have to require customers to reinvest in an entirely new platform,” Greenberg said. “We’re able to add [Project Natal] on top of what’s already there."

“[Project Natal] will work with your Xbox 360 if you’re buying one today, a year from now, [or] if you bought one at launch,” he added.