10 year life span doesn't mean a newer console won't be released within 10 years, it means the console will be supported with software for a minimum of 10 years. PS2 had a 10 year life cycle, it was supported for a minimum of 10 years although it's succesor came out in 6 years. 

I hope there's a deluxe model with backwards compatibility, and, additional ram (Specifically for better load times, and multiple applications running) Nothing wrong with browsing the web while listening to music, while playing a game, while typing a text file, while using skype. usb ports, and memory card readers, I'll pay another 150 dollars for it all, on top of the initial cost of the system...

Speaking of which, we have music, movies, and videos.... Why can I connect my keyboard, and not write text files?

And, I hope they don't call it Orbis, PS4 is fine....

Also, what if it just runs PS1, and PS2 games, but, not PS3?  I can't see it not even running a PS1 game...  When has a Playstation ever not been able to do that?  PSP even does it.

I reckon some of this is exagerrated, although earlier rumours suggested Sony would go with AMD for both CPU & GPU so I can see that happening. They'll probably push for an APU design within the first 1-2 years to really cut costs. Personally I don't see them releasing a 7950 or equivalent GPU. Too expensive imo and probably overkill for current 1080p resolutions of HDTVs. I personally see a 7850/7870 hybrid. The 77xx chips just don't seem to cut it in terms of 3D at 1080p and considerring Sony are pushing 3D, it makes them unlikely.

As for backwards compatability, it doesn't surprise me. Didn't Sony file for a patent on attaching a device to provide backwards compatability a while back? My guess is the console will have a port of some kind to attach an accessory (maybe a simplified PCI-E type slot) if you want to play PS3 games (and possibly PS2 as well). That way Sony can get extra money from the add-on (and they do seem to love doing that!)

On the used game controversy, if I remember rightly, Sony filed a patent on some form of digital degredation for trial games. No idea how it's supposed to work or if this is what they're planning, but it's possible. I personally think they'll force you to register the game on PSN and then it's tied to your account (like Steam and most DD on PC). If you don't you'll probably still be able to play but it won't have stuff like multiplayer, trophy support, community features etc. They may even lock some items in the single-player game like many "Free" 2 Play models currently do.

While I wish it would have B/C, it's not that big a deal to me personally. Anyway, a rumor is a rumor. Just look at how many different Wii U rumors there have been.

Although, I do fancy the name "Orbis" and coupled with the Vita meaning "Circle of Life" is pretty sweet.
I know the name doesn't make the console good or bad, but i just love it :p

that is why i use the term, modified
they can bring the GPU clock speed down and bring the memories speed down... also, that power output is for the entire card, and here sony will only use the GPU, and mems, the rest could be taken down or rearranged in the motherboard...

they cut by half the power used by ps3 from the 1st fat to the 2nd slim... until then same things could be done to improve the power usage!

lots can happen until then!

Not neccessarily memory. Sony could decide to go with their own memory solution like shared XDR2. I remember rumours of the top end 7000 chips having XDR2 RAM a while back (of course we now know they don't). Maybe they weren't totally without merit (although very expensive).

Have you  heard what Sony has been saying.

So...basically a mid-range 7xxx and not a high end 7950 like you suggested?

They're not going to magically cut down the power consumption on a 150 - 200 watt GPU to stick it in a 2013 console.

Viper is right, you people asking for 7900/ GTX 680 equivalent GPUs are dreaming.

They also cut down the chip sizes from 90 nm to 40 nm.   You won't go from 180 to 100 just going from 28 nm to 22 nm. You also don't count the entire PCB board when calculating the TDP of a GPU...you count only the GPU.  The rest of the board is minimal anyway.

Scoobes, the HD 7870 is a 180 watt GPU.   Not going to happen.

As for downclocks to keep thermals in check.  May was well use a different chip instead of a bulky HD 7970 or HD 7870.    Why pay for silicon you don't need?

Check some of the interesting graphs floating around on the net from the recent "Common Platform Technology Forum 2012". It will give you a general idea about pricing in the high-end CPU/GPU business and how time affects those prices. (It also gives you an idea of why there won't be any 28/32nm parts in future "slimmer PS3s" if any are planned at all). The WiiU is slated to arrive this fall, so all the final components are in production NOW with NOW pricing, Nintendo/Sony/MS pays waver prices NOW, not in 2013. The lead-in time for new CPUs/GPUs is usually 2 years, so any PS4/NextBox components are sampled NOW and begin manufacturing end of this year with 2012 prices. Not in late 2013, if these new thingies are supposed to arrive in 2013.

Again, as far as "ten times GPU power increases console power ten times" is concerned, currently all the processing power in GPUs is used to process graphics. (Yes the XBox processes Kinect data in the GPU (and that is the reason those games are shitty dancing games, it bogs down the GPU too much doing two entirely different things at the same time). IMHO, a ten fold better GPU does not make a console ten fold more powerful, it simply allows games to look a lot prettier (provided you have the CPU power to drive the monster GPU). That doesn't mean shitty games get ten fold better, they are simply prettier but still unplayable. It is simply a bad idea to plan with the most recent GPU monster and then try to make it feasible by downclocking/reducing internal structures. Makes it a lot more expensive than starting with a reasonable design like the AMD4xxx/5xxxx series.