Prediction.

MS will relaunch the XBOX 360 in the next 2 months, with a new SKU, price and new hardware.

Two months is too long. Before that to allow them to fill retailers with stock before the GTAIV launch.

Well, it is widely assumed that they are clearing out the old models before the stock retailers with new, RROD-free, quiet models, so in a way yes.

How long will a new SKU prop up the 360? There's been.. what? five skus of the 360 and its in last place and its not like they can tout the hd dvd player anymore.

It wouldn't suprise me they must have something planned for GTA4 but, for them to keep something as major as a complete relaunch a secret for so long makes something that extensive seem impossible.

1. Where the hell did you get 5 SKUs from?  There's the Core/Arcade (which are EXACTLY the same except that Arcade comes with a memory card and some XBLA games), the Pro (20-gig) system, and the Elite (120-gig) system.  Maybe you're counting the Halo 3 edition, which is a Pro console with a custom skin?  Or the Pro bundle that has Marvel and Forza with it?  If that's the case, then Ps3 has had at least 7 SKUs, and PS2 has had at least 30.

2. They never touted the HD-DVD player.  If they were touting it, they would have had it built-in.  What they did was say 'hey, it's there if you want it.'

3. If 360 is in last place, then where does that leave the PS3, which is 7 million consoles behind?

bump

I can see this happening, a shinier slim quiter version with HDMI as standard in time for GtA4

Sounds like the shortages are starting to disappear. We should have more consoles on the market this week, and fully stocked next week.

Its an old saying that a "A bird in hand is better then two in bush"... i think they are really putting an axe on their own feet if they r self drying the stock in the market.

and if PS3 start getting momentum in NA also than may be it will be hard for them to compete with it.

If you have a very low sales than this strategy does make a bit of a sense but forcefully weakening your ONLY strongest market is a very very bad move.. and thats also after two years when you should try to do eveything to keep momentum and don't let it slip.

This strategy look like is going to backfire for Microsoft.