No...false alarm.

They fixed the link, so it now links to the proper patent.  It's the wireless wheel controller.

New IP obviously

I don't get why you're worried.

"I'm beginning to grow worried however that could radically change next gen. a focus on media over core games, and quite a bit weaker hardware than the PS4 have all left me worried."

You could change that 4 to a 3, and make that post exactly a generation ago. The 360 had so much more of a media focus than any console that came before it, and it was quite a bit weaker than the PS3.

As for the always online and no used sales, you needn't be worried. The Xbox division is staffed by some rather clever people, I'm sure they can work out not to do either of those. Not all rumours are true, most are started to get lots of clicks (and advertising revenue)

I seriously doubt the Nextbox will block used games. That would eliminate a very large pool of consumers. I don't see them making always-on mandatory either.

However, if these do prove true, then it's unlikely that I'll buy a Nextbox within the first few years of release because I buy most of my games used. Also, if I do buy new, I would be unable to sell a bad game that I had to buy new. Obviously, this means I would be taking a lot less risks and experiments. Also, oftentimes my cheap internet blows out on my for no reason - which is only going to get worse for me in the near future. I would have to wait until (a) I get a good, stable internet connection, and (b) the majority of the console's library has become extremely cheap. Both of these are going to be several years after release.

However, I doubt those will be true. As for a focus on media and being weaker, I honestly don't care.

The rumors for the PS4 have been confirmed by sony, and rumors on both sides are coming from the same source. So if these people were this accurate about the PS4, I am sure a lot of the nextbox rumors are true. I doubt constant connectivity is real. The no used games thing very well could be. I don't think they would go that far that fast, maybe you or the retailer would need to pay a royalty though. Which I honestly think is fair. I am almost certain the hardware specs are true, and if they are, MS is going for a more casual market.

I feel that what could be true is the focus on media rather than on games. Considering the tech specs of the PS4, the nextbox could be left lagging behind by a large amount if it's focus is not entirely on games, something which Sony have made clear the PS4 is.

No used games would suck mainly if your console breaks and if you have to go about some transfer process. But my guess is all new games in the future will have two passes: one for online, and one similiar to a CD key to verify your product as new. I don't see it as a big deal as it would just be a revenue stream for developers and lots of developers have been bleeding this gen.

Always online seems stupid to me and I doubt MS would follow through with it. Maybe in 5-10 years it would be more plausible when everyone has access to broad band internet. Hell Steam has a offline mode, so again this makes no sense.

My biggest worry with MS is not the price or specs, but rather the focus on games. I don't mind Kinect as a optional experience. However, I do not want any more full blown Kinect games outside of Dance Central unless they can somehow make a great core experience.

If worst comes to worst I'll just go full Steam ahead. If you know what I mean.

microsoft dug its own grave by not developing any first party exclusives.....I supported them with the first xbox and 360 but I think Im done with them, Bring on PS4!!

If you have a significant investment in the MS/Xbox/XBL ecosystem, then you are essentially tied to the next hardware platform MS releases, regardless of whether there are little nagging details like always online (let's face it; the majority of core players are already connected every time they play), game to account tie ins (so that games can only be played on one account), etc.

I'd say leave online codes and vouchers up to individual publishers if that's how they want to conduct business, whether it's for online access modes, or extra content or unlocks. If that's how MS will want ALL retail software transactions to be handled, it will cause friction with secondary market resellers, particularly the Gamestops that depend upon that source of revenue to maintain their margins. As for rental services, I'm sure MS or individual publishers can release rental specific copies, same as what is done for movies on optical media.

I'm sure there will be some sort of offline mode, a lá Steam, even though the focus on consoles and gaming in general from this point on is really on community gaming, even for single player oriented games.

Given that the XB platform generates a significant amount of its revenue through renting/selling multiplayer access features, that is naturally where they want the focus to remain for the future. MS doesn't want to sell consumers a plastic box and consider it a done sale; they want platform users generating steady streams of income through purchases, even outside of game purchases, because the average console owner only buys maybe 4-6 games or less per year, and that's during the peak years when the console is actually being used.

Most console owners don't play their consoles from goal post to goal post as it were. Most buy well into the product cycle or at least later in the product cycle and generally lose their interest or enthusiasm by the 3rd year of ownership.

Personally, I think if there's a big enough consumer backlash, MS will backpedal on some of these unsubstantiated rumors, so it's a bit early to be going into nerd rage mode over something that hasn't even been officially announced yet.

I say wait until the April or E3 announcements which should solidify the current facts from rumor.

The next Xbox will be fine. I agree with other posters on this thread: even if MS does incorporate used game blocking/always-online drm into the hardware, they probably won't play that card for a couple of years. Regarding its possibly being a weaker machine, if the rumored specs are even remotely accurate, it will be close enough in power to the PS4 that it won't miss out on any multiplats.

The media focus is a more understandable concern, but I don't think there's anything to worry about. Platform holders want their product in as many homes as possible, so they can't just rely on core gamers. They need to get those interested in other types of media through the door, like how Sony used dvd playback to Trojan Horse the PS2 into homes that might not get it otherwise. I think the reason they're focusing on media features more than ever is because they're comfortable with their relationships with third parties. It doesn't necessarily mean they're losing interest in core games.

There's no need to worry. Next gen is going to be fun.