["Real talk" update: As we suspected, this information is inaccurate. Speaking with Microsoft, Destructoid was told there are no plans for a new console in 2010. More details here.]
Rumors are flying and analysts are speculating: is Microsoft's motion-sensing Natal tech coming alongside a new console? We are actually still not totally clear on whether a new console is coming or just a new SKU. One outlet says a new console actually is coming, but we're not so sure.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer spoke at the Executive's Club of Chicago, and it was there that he talked about a new technology with a "natural interface." That sounds like Natal. We know that is coming, and now it seems we have a date. But is this a new console or not?
Now here's the thing: TGDaily says that a new Xbox 360 will hit store shelves in 2010, but this could have been the date for a new Natal-bundled SKU. We have a feeling that they must have misunderstood, or may have mixed up Ballmer's details about the Natal tech with that of a whole new console.
From TGDaily, who also says "a new Xbox 360 will hit the store shelves in 2010":
The console, which was described as having a “natural interface,” will have a built in camera with the ability to recognize movement and voice.
Again, we're not sold. Some sites are running this as confirmation of a new console. We say keep your pants on. Even TGDaily's liveblog of the event says nothing of the sort.
[Update: Microsoft has responded to our request for clarafication with what we can only imagine is all they're allowed to tell us:
As the Xbox team stated at E3 two weeks ago, we are not even halfway through the current console generation lifecycle and believe Xbox 360 will be the entertainment center in the home for long into the next decade. Project Natal will be an important part of this platform, but we have not confirmed a launch date at this time.]
Contest:
5:26 PM on 06.18.2009
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Like in that movie Transmorpherz !!
Doesn't a confirmed rumor become a truth, or maybe a trumor?
Wifi only? Motion controls? Affordable white box? Avatar support with new casual titles like 1 vs 100?
36Wii confirmed!
We (nor anyone else who is reporting this as fact) can confirm that Ballmer said for certain a new console was coming in 2010.
Or imagine your keyboard being replaced by an image of a key board projected on your desk.
Or forget keyboards and a mouse...
... It makes sense that they would bundle it at some point... and I guess at some point they also have to address the "blu-ray" issue as they are now getting to the point of multiple DVD games - so a very, very large HDD makes sense for them.
In all honestly, the natal hardware didn't seem ready for a launch as yet and they wouldn't date it at E3... so I wouldn't be at all surprised to see this turn out to be simply another SKU for the Xbox.
(but then again, rumours so often turn out to be true... but even when true, so often things like this end up being delayed! LOL!)
@Drack48, Crazyape69
subwoofer enclosures
X360 with a natal camera and maybe a game. crest whitestrips