With the way they're doing right now on the PS3, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw the fourth installment by 2011 :)
But let's talk about that 4th version shall we ^^
I'm predicting that it will use very similar tech that the PS3's been using. Which should result in...
Multiple Cell chips, since they scale so well with numbers :) The chips will be pretty cheap in 2 years time.
Blu-Ray drives costing them next to nothing since they've been shrinking them this whole time :P
The unit itself will be MUCH smaller by comparison to the first release of the PS3, the CPU will be consisting of multiple cell chips, and since they'll be so small by that point, it will be VERY energy efficient, put off minimal heat, and need far smaller heat sinks.
It will probably have at least a 4-8x readable blue disc drive, which will be absolutely insane for data transfer.
Possibly ship with a Solid State Hard drive, to reduce the size, power consumption, and load times.
It will support all the latest data transfer cords :P Cuz that's how Sony rolls.
Will probably have a built in Mic and or come with they're most recent build of the Eye Toy. Microsoft did pretty well by shipping a headset with each unit (although let's be honest, that headset sucks ass). Sony will want to join that club :P
The OS will be a much improved version of the XMB, it will be smooth as silk and carry all the functionality of the PS3 and much more.
Should be super cheap by comparison to the PS3 launch :P
From 0 to KICKASS in .stupid seconds.
