I don't get how you can market a machine as so much multimedia and expect that to sell it over PS4 since PS360 already do most of the apps.  PS4 has some new social stuff integrated as well the most talked about being the share button.  I know that may not seem like a big deal to you guys but I've heard a lot of people saying they are excited for it.  Sure your Facebook may get spammed by PS4 adopters but if it sells the system and gives those great first party games more room to thrive then I'm willing to put up with that.  

The few people who haven't been excited I have basically sold them because I say what I'm going to use it for.  When I get a miracle sports win like scoring 2 goals in the last 10 seconds of an NHL game to beat my friend (actually happened) I'm posting it.  When I have some whacky car chase and escape in GTA I'm posting it.  When I'm already fighting 2 giants and a mammoth in Skyrim and then 2 dragons suddenly show up and then I call mine and it becomes the most epic thing ever, posting it.  When there's a funny glitch or just any miracle escape from death I'm posting it.  It's very clever that they don't have you select what to record but just do the continuous 15 minutes since you never know when one of these awsome moments will happen and hopefully people won't just post a bunch of story moments that happen to everyone.

More importantly I still think it's illogical to think xbox will be the same as PS this gen when you really think about it.  They won't have a 1 year head start.  They won't have a competitor that created a system with terrible architecture.  They won't have an online advantage like early in this gen (COD4 was noticably easier to connect on Xbox, but when I borrowed BO I got connected just fine and all the games I've played online since 09 have been great).  Most importantly they won't be putting a $300 and $400 system against a $500 and $600 system.  PS4 will most likely be able to hit $400 for its lowest model and $500 at the highest.  Even if Xbox comes out with a $300 subsciption and a $500 model I don't see that as much of an advantage.  The combo of late start and being almost twice as expensive when matching SKUs should have burried PS.  It didn't and they're practically even with PS about to take the lead.  What does that tell you about when the systems launch head to head and PS is closer in cost if not the same?  Also let's not forget they actually have some big exclusives to start most notably KZ which they didn't really get until late 07 and not for an established franchise until 08 with MGS4 on PS3.

I think that's as powerful as Skype which you don't need an xbox for.  You can connect your computer to the TV with an HDMI cord anyway so I don't get how that's a "killer app" except for the especially lazy.

I uhm... agree with most of what you said. I don't think people want apps like skype and facebook on their consoles. It will be a nice feature to have those things available but it's not what will sell the consoles. I see Sony on the better track if (!) the rumors about Microsoft focusing on making the Xbox a media hub come true. Sony says it's about the games and they're right. The console that will be better for games and have the most and best of them is gonna win. It's always been like that yet hardware makers never seem to fully get it. (Look at Nintendo and their "you can play the Wii U while watching TV" stuff - they made up a problem that doesn't bother most people and developed an expensive tablet around it instead of just focusing on games. A simple Wii 2 would've sold way better while being cheaper to produce.)

haha sorry I rambled on a bit but I agree WiiU really needed a new name.  I mean isn't the first time Nintendo has kept a similar name since Gameboy Advance and that and Super Nintendo have clear words that say they're superior.  WiiU honestly sounds like an add-on and not showing the box at that first E3 probably didn't help things.  That's why I'm happy Sony just has a nice numbered system so it's easy for everyone to get hyped just like with Apple products (hate comparing the two but I think it fits here).  I don't see MS changing from the media hub strategy.  That's what they focused on every E3 since Kinect and that was what?  2009?  So yeah 3 years running and it's brought them a lot of success in the market they care most about (USA) so they'll probably stay the course.   The only reason I'm not 100% sure they'll have Kinect in every box is that Pachter predicted it lol

Well... i think they are mistaken about the wii U. I think it will sell like crazy, but it really needs to redesign that gamepad to feel slicker and a price drop when the new mario kart and mario 3D come out. In those conditions the Wii U sales will soar.

Now, as far as developers go, they dont seem to care. It seemed like they threw Nintendo under the BUS before they could even have a chance, so i think it reaches a point where Nintendo cant really count on anyone but themselves. They need to expand those development studios. Also, Nintendo siftware sells really good, so thats more money they can cash in.
The 3DS will give them some money aswell but i dont expect the Wii U to do that since they need to slash the price by the end of the year.
Will iwata survive? I dont know to be honest, he might not.

Now, Microsoft is in for arude awakening. I dont think they will split market with Sony. But, we shall see.

Something went wrong with the post and it made two. ignore this one.

He makes some reasonable points.

"Having Skype on TV in the living room is a killer app. It will give parents a reason to adopt it. Kids will use it as an argument to buy the xbox."

Can't help but laugh as I shake my head at this.

When the games are not interesting, one falls on the multimedia. The xbox approach to gaming is making it too multimedia which is not the core tradition.

I am a gamer and not a mutimedia freak.

yeah my guess (and it is just that because of the ridiculously limited amount of info on Xbox or PS4) is that WiiU will find a nice audience (60-80m) and PS4 will take a huge chunk of that PS360 audience as well as some others (100-120m) while Xbox will not be able to enjoy a Sony stumbling on its own arrogance and late entry and will therefore see their market shrink (50-70m).  Nintendo will continue to dominate handhelds (120-140m) and Sony will stick out the Vita and give it a little boost as the ultimate PS4 add-on (40-60m).  Like I said these are wild estimations especially the ones for Nextbox and PS4 since we don't know the price or subsciption fees but I just don't see Sony shrinking after they literally messed up EVERYTHING last gen that a console needs to be successful.

yeah I can do skype on my computer and it works fine.  I can also do it on any mobile device or do facetime.  I can also hook up my computer to the TV with HDMI and enjoy that.  Don't see how it's a killer app.