Rumor: Xbox Natal is Actually Microsoft's Next Console

[TonyTheTiger]

Optical Drive
-DVD for the THIRD time? Even Sega, the bumbling failure of CD systems didn't use the same format on three consoles. Even SD cards or USB media would have been an upgrade, since those can easily hold more than 9gb of data, and their prices are rapidly falling. Unless the DVD drive is for legacy compatibility, they're killing themselves.

Operating System
-Put Windows 7 on it! Simply include a read-only partition with the backup image, and let it replace the PC! I would GLADLY replace my desktop gaming rig with an equivalent gaming console if it were a full-fledged PC. Think about what a standardized machine could do for PC gaming!

Controller
-Screw Natal, make a modular 360 pad. Allow both analog sticks to be swapped for touchpads and trackballs, and you have better FPS and RTS control in the living room.

This is what's important:

RELEASE & PRICING

Microsoft plans on a Q4 2010 simultaneous worldwide release. The company is targeting a sub $300 price point.

Given the economic situation, nobody wants to start running that tech race again. I think keeping things relatively inexpensive is a good move despite the fact that I think Q4 2010 is a little too soon for the 360's successor.

As for the console replacing the PC, it probably won't happen even if they wanted it to. The 90s were full of "entertainment center" electronics and all in one gadgets. None of them ever really set the world on fire. All it ends up doing is shooting the price up scaring away customers who'd buy it for its "main" purpose.

And I wouldn't worry too much about Natal being the exclusive interface. If Nintendo wasn't ballsy enough to try it then MS sure as hell wouldn't be. Now mouse/keyboard support, however, is something I can see being implemented.