Here is how
TG Daily reported some of Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer's speech at the Executive’s Club of Chicago yesterday, "The new device will be equipped with technology that is 'really, really close' to an actuality. The console, which was described as having a 'natural interface,' will have a built-in camera with the ability to recognize movement and voice."
See the use of the word 'console'? See the quotation marks? Yes, Ballmer didn't say it... TG Daily did.
Yes, we can see that's he's talking about Project Natal - the new motion control tech that Microsoft has already stated will be compatible with current Xbox 360s.
TG Daily, however, which kicked off the story by reporting the quote direct from Chicago, states: "a new Xbox 360 will hit the store shelves in 2010."
Microsoft's Major (Larry) Nelson has
leapt in to quash the rumour, stating: "A few people have emailed me regarding something Steve Ballmer said earlier today about a new Xbox coming in 2010.
"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."
Nevertheless headlines such as '
Ballmer Confirms Natal Xbox 360 In 2010',
'Microsoft CEO Confirms New Xbox 360 In 2010' and most hilariously, 'Steve Ballmer Confirms "New" Xbox 360 For 2010' with the sub-head 'Ballmer confirms new SKU, with possibly new hardware, coming next year' from
IGN, which then goes onto to deny its own report.
So, in short, Ballmer confirmed nothing at all about a new Xbox.