disagree - apple has that and even one ups it 'cause they already have your credit card info.  buying off the app store is too easy actually.  exclusive content will work for a while but when EA, Ubisoft, ect defect not even nintendo's first party will save them imo.  things will be good enough on smartphones/tablets to make a dedicated device unjustifyable just like how i decided not to replace my cannon as my iphone 4S's camera is more than good enough to me.

Hey, Nintendo can survive off 1st party, and that's a fact, sorry N64, GC and GB/GBA tell the story. But let's put that aside.

For bold, I was mostly referring to future AAA games, which will likely require a controller of sorts (one would imagine). Since OP is really referring to the future of the iPad in terms of its graphical capabilities and the compatibility of that with AAA 3rd party offerings. That would require a controller. What A dedicated console offers is a package, one the consumer can trust. I believe that same level of trust is not present with the Android/iOS platforms. No controller, and submerged with so many offerings, they could get lost (unless some branding measure is taken). That's one downside I see to all this.

You're comparing the convenience of carrying around one device that accomplishes many things for the general consumer with a home game console that can easily reside in your entertainment center; they're two different things.  And remember, game consoles aren't limited to only games anymore, either... even the Wii has Netflix.

You don't know any true PC gamer and if they were then they aren't now.

This is almost exactly what I feel is going to happen. I think you are right about Sony, and that is why they making stong efforts to make SEN a bigger platform than Playstation. In a world were being King in hardware means next to nothing, Sony's biggest asset is content. The Playstation Certification program is the most important Playstation related inituative Sony has going right now. It gives them a single closed arcitecture to build software to, while alloing anyone to produce the hardware.

One to good to be true scenario I am thinking about is MS and Sony software on one device. Sources have claimed Sony Windows Mobile Phones are on the way. Could a Sony, Playstation Certified Windows Phone be in the works? Gears and Uncharted on the same platform? To good to be ture, but you never know.

Loose ends from other users

Limited controls on Tablets
-PS3/360/Wii have no controls at all (sorry, had to). With Logitech, Madcatz, Nykon, and others input devices are not an issue for these blue tooth devices.

Prices
-Once they reach the point of competeing with these closed platforms, kids won't need the latest and greatest. Every year the price will drop on the previous model, and manufactures will focus on profits from the new hot devices.

Well they use 'could' and not 'will' so can't disagree but what is happening for sure is that people are spending more money on games on IPAD/Iphone etc than before. This year alone I spended more on games on my iphone than I did last year (chrono trigger/Secret of mana as an example)

that is true i do not. But i feel i am a pc gamer as most of my games are there as well as my play time. Tablets do not mean no keyboard  and mouse or controller. I just thik that tablets will really replace desktops as i think they will be able to fit enough power in them to be able to run good games.

The IPad possibly spells the end of high budget video game developments. Apps and games can be made very accessible on IPad and Tablet devices. Low cost developments are produced quickly and efficiently and are profitable. High cost developments must sell a higher number of units to break even on development costs and other costs.

Oh man, the opinions. But seriously when will a 9.7 inch screen with a wireless controller be better than any tv you own and a chair? Sure they can make it stream/plug in to your tv, but there is the issue with technology and size limitation. Micro computation will reach an apex, like we have with batteries. It still has a way to go and there are amazing ways to reduce energy consumption that will even break the limitations of batteries. Larger devices will always have an advantage, but I understand that there will be a time when people are satisfied with graphics...maybe we don't know yet. We haven't reached that point, sure there is a market for it, look at the Wii. Riding high on last gen graphics, even though its suffering a premature death (in context to other consoles). It will be the same with Wii U (maybe even xbox 3, gasp! haha, I have no clue). Great games are being made with current technology why advance? It's not like we are jumping from 2d to 3d graphics like we did after SNES.

Regardless though, there is a still a horizon for console hardware. And maybe instead of Tablets threatening consoles, maybe consoles will threaten tablets by becoming out of home portable. What if console developers created portable gaming devices that were internet browsers with various applications......oh wait...I think they are doing just that. Tablets might be the ones who have to bring something new to the table. No?

Before anyone says it.  What about that Sega gensis sonic game that had 3d graphics (among others)?  Well all I have to say is, What about that Sega genisis sonic game that had 3d graphics?