On the one hand they've commited themselves to the Natal interface at least in the intermediate term of 1-2 years and on the other hand they will want to release their next generation console with 3D support and with a Natal 2.0 interface which has a much higher resolution output, 60FPS but much of the supporting technlogy isn't ready yet for the camera or the console so in effect they are a little stuck.

They are investing a lot into Natal for the short term which is whats expected of them, but they have set the timescale at 2015 for the release of Natal 2.0 and for a strong console launch they'll need to get all the technologies at the right price and at the right level of maturity. This reduces the number of options they have available to them.

The current mix is fine, what they are doing with their ecosystem is fine. What isn't fine is that now they have commited themselves they can't change direction as easily to come to grips with competitors. They have in effect planted their feet so if what they are doing works well they will reap some very good rewards however if their competitors and Nintendo is their strongest competitor make moves which undermine their position they cannot as easily move to respond to them.

It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

Do you have a link for this 2015 plan?

"however if their competitors and Nintendo is their strongest competitor make moves which undermine their position they cannot as easily move to respond to them."

Do you mean the 'competitors' releasing their next console earlier or do you mean maybe some new and innovative that shoves natal 2.0 to the side?

Sorry not off hand. Im just balancing statements made by Microsoft against the relative improvement in camera technology with CMOS/CCD technology roughly following Moores law and doubling every couple of years against roughly where I figure Natal needs to be which is likely a doubling of resolution and framerate as people are intolerant of latency when performing physical actions.

It means any product which makes their current implementation of Natal irrelevant/weak in the market. This is not only console based technologies but also efforts made by Google, Apple and other competitors like that. Each may not be damning on their own but taken together could force Natal into a weak position.

Xbox/Natal/Live/Window Mobile form an intricate web. They each feed off each other and they face attacks on pretty much every link.

You have gotta lay off the wacky weed my friend

Seems like a logical hypothesis.

What I think is wrong to implement all 100% focus on nathal(if these article is correct)

They need to have back up if it don't work

You are pretty funny Squill.
I totally buy what you are selling, it does seem reasonable to me given your logic.
You are most likely right, They need Natal to succeed so the 720 can be an evolution of that winning formula.

-They cant just up the graphics/ features anymore if they expect to compete on all fronts
-They need a draw... something unique that changes the game, but with great rewards comes greater risks.
- Natal gives Microsoft the perfect chance to test what could very well be a "beta" for the 720.

if people love Natal, those features will be extrapolated to the 720.

But 2015? That is a long time. Christmas 2013 at the latest.