In this generation we've seen:
- 4 different HDD sizes.
- A completely revamped OS with an entirely new look and feel.
- Major new Live features.
- A completely new exterior to the console.
- A completely new way to play games was launched for the console.
How much of the Xbox 360 as it is today completely alien to the box which was launched 5 years ago? It's arguably the most changed console in the current console generation. Now how much of what has happened to the Xbox 360 in the long run negatively effected the Xbox 360 as a game console? If you can agree that the current state of Xbox 360 evolution was positive then you can also agree that console evolution during a hardware generation is a good thing. Now every action they've taken has been weighted with supporting evidence and followed up afterwards, so if they do or have already decided to follow even more rapid console evolution it will be because they believe it will make them more profitable which is in the end satisfying their target audience.
The idea of monolithic console hardware has to end because they cannot satisfy their entire target market with the one box anymore. Some will absolutely not pay higher prices, some will want higher performance, some won't play games, some will only play games and avoid multimedia and some will not want to buy one because it lacks the user experience that they would desire at launch. The Xbox 360 reflects evolution but it also reflects the fact that its tearing away in different directions and they need to satisfy all present 360 target markets and more than that. We all know that a hot expensive box which has a -$200 margin isn't going to fly and nor will a $600 box. So what follows is Apples model of coming out with a core box which does the basics right and then expand on that with frequent hardware and software revisions whilst satisfying those whom have the highest needs as well as those who only want the basic experience.
Tease.
