@kitler53

The Roku isn't much of a defense, because it is fast becoming obsolete. Basically it is a wireless adapter for devices that are not wireless enabled. Which are becoming fewer and fewer over time. The market for this devices will not really exist in three to four years. In much the same way as external digital tuners weren't meant to be a long term product line. These devices are basically upgrades for dated tech. Besides stamping a logo on a hockey puck just wouldn't make it into a heir apparent.

Which entirely sidesteps the issue of how the competition would respond if Sony opted in to playing both sides of the field. The answer is they will incorporate their own streaming services, or grant access to third party suppliers other then Sony. Which could be disastrous for Sony. Not only could they lose on the hardware all over again, but they would be in a double down position. Meaning they could lose on the streaming side as well.

It goes back to the saying that something is better then nothing. If Sony goes streaming they get something, but if they try to do both they stand a good chance of losing everything. There really isn't a way to hedge bets here. It is a all or nothing proposition.

It would definitely be the cheaper route for next gen, but also much riskier.

It's gonna take a very talented marketing team to sell you on a 7 year old system that will now need a subscription (?) for a service many people don't understand or can use effectively, whilst competing against the shiny new Wii U and Durango. And if there's any company that has a talented marketing team, it's fucking not Sony

A console means royalties. Obviously their additional profit compared to being 3rd party must justify the investment, this is easier if the console loses money on HW only for a small part of its life. So Sony most probably will release PS4, but it simply won't ever make again a console as expensive to build as PS3.

There will be a PS4.
If you think no, you're stupid.(no offense)

This could certainly be revolutionary.

On the other hand can't Sony just stream games on to their TVs similar to what Samsung is intending on doing?

I'm pretty sure there was just confirmation from Sony that they are for sure releasing a console with physical media and put away the idea of a digital only console. It would be hard to release a virtual console with physical media.