They are wrong as traditional console model no longer exists with the next generation.

All three companies will tout their consoles as not only being gaming consoles and media players, but also as TV connected internet devices like iTV and GoogleTV.

MS will definitely have their console setup as an extension of their windows phones and tablets. It will be their answer directly to Apple and Google. It will contain full apps and this is partly why MS is changing their Live IDs to be Microsoft generic IDs... similar to Google IDs which used to be gmail accounts.

While Nintendo won't have video playback as they never do, they already have rumors that their next system will contain full Android application support. If it has a full interface where Nintendo gaming and Network is tied directly to Google TV/Android type experience... its a massive win for everyone and will ensure that the Wii U is a direct competitor to everyone else.

Sony already showed signs of this approach with its partnerships with Android as well as its custom app based OS on Vita. I'm not sure how they will actually handle it due to Vita's existence, but if they are smart (and I am not sure if they are), they'd follow Nintendo's approach and utilize Android as well.

Then you have the big boys in the mobile world with Apple and Google.

Apple TVs are destined to launch later this year and its obvious their iTV product will continue to advance along with the continued growth of their gaming lineup. I've said it before and I'm saying it again... in 2013 we'll see console gaming on iProducts that are identical in every way with bluetooth sync'd controllers. This will be Apple's indirect path into console gaming.

Finally Google in February blatantly stated they are massively expanding their gaming center in their Play store as well as Android capabilities in the beginning of 2013. I am absolutely certian this shows proof that Android devices will also be direct competitors to consoles.

In both of these last cases, not only will you have games directly on their consoles, but streaming gaming with companies like OnLive will bring the EXACT same next-gen game on these devices as well. Again utilizing bluetooth controllers. Probably your existing controllers on your home console quite literally.

Personally, I can't wait for a Wii U with GoogleTV. (or for some of you PS4TV/WindowsNeXtBox8)

I think he is referring to the Nintendo/mario crowd.

Apparently he never heard of a transition into next-gen.(which is exactly what Wii is going through)

I can guarantee that casual gamers will love the tablet on the Wii U even though you can't leave the house with it.

But at what cost.

The iPad is $500ish. That does not include the special Apple TV or the game controller.

Of the people who have iPads, how many of them bought them personally and how many had their work make the purchase (which means they have use but no ownership)?

Plus, some are starting to think Facebook might be playing itself out.

Mike from Morgantown

This... to the Nth degree.

First, it was PC gaming that was going to hurt home console sales and render them obsolete for a mass market.  After all, every household has a computer and they play games, so why would anyone want a dedicated home video game console anymore?  Now it's the tablets/facebook games' turn...

People aren't suddenly going to stop seeking fun experiences, and as long as fun and compelling games that are unique and exclusive to the home console space continue to be made, people will continue to buy home consoles.

That's the problem.

3rd parties have too much power on both the 360 and PS3. If they decided to focus more on tablets and mobile gaming, then we're screwed.

Nintendo should actually be ok since they mostly depend on their own software to sell its hardware.

I'm sure there will be something, be it a small lifestyle change, some attractive casual console features or some game that will draw casuals of some sort into the next-gen market.

By the way, why does almost everyone seem to hate Pachter on this site. I watch his weekly show and he gets positive responses from the people at gametrailers, for the most part.

I can't really speak for gametrailers, but without ranting, Pachter is typically wrong about most things.  Let's take a look at what Pachter had to say about the 3DS when its price was announced.

"Pachter took the pricing theme one step farther, noting that Nintendo in some ways is betraying its shareholders. "I'm impressed that they had the confidence to charge $249; I think that they're going to regret it. It's going to sell out and they're leaving money on the table. I'm impressed that they're this consumer friendly – that really matters. So it's not shareholder friendly, but consumers are going to love the $249 price point. We can call bullsh*t on Reggie [Fils-Aime] a lot, but I actually agree with him. If you explain the feature set to most consumers, they would say $300 or more. So $249 is a bargain, and I think this thing is going to be on eBay for $500 immediately," he said.

He continued, "I think the biggest problem they'll have is that you'll never see one in stores in 2011. It'll be sold out forever. We'll get like a million or 1.25 million, and so will Europe, and those will be gone in weeks. Let's hope they can make 2 million a month and ship 800,000 a month to the U.S. so consumers have a prayer of getting one by Christmas."

So in a year or so we've gone from the 3DS going to fly off shelves at 300 dollars to no casual gamer ever buying a console again.  Yes, the market is changing, but has it changed that much in a year and a half?  No.  He was wrong before, and he's wrong now.

Will the iPhone/Droid effect Nintendo and X-Box 360?  Yes, but they are not direct competitors.  I could go into more detail later, but if the 3 big console makers can adapt to the changing market, they'll be fine.

Whenever pachter predict something I think of the opposite of what he say, that way it will be more accurate.

Top 10 selling games so far this year: Mass Effect, Just Dance, Mario Kart, CoD, CoD, Kinect Adventures, Mario Land, Final Fantasy, Zumba Fitness, Mario Party.

lol, okay Pachter. Whatever you say.

Hmm, guess that means he has to think of a new excuse for when Wii U starts selling