Could the next Xbox be based on a virtual, software-only or Net platform?  With the rise of cloud computing and the fact that MSFT is a software corporation, I see that that is a distinct possibility.

It would be VERY difficult to engineer with today's and the near future's infrastructure, but that would be pretty dang cool.

Bring out a .hack headset and we're straight.

hell yeah... maybe not the next one but its the entire computer industry that is gonna be that way... now about technology by 2015 it will be there and by 2020 it will be a standard i'm damn sure of it... remember the PC you had 12 years ago ?

I would personally still prefer a console. What would be really interesting, but probably would be capable until the generation after next, is to have a console that displays a hologram image from itself. Mind you, I'll keep dreaming on that one.

oh you'll have a box probably but it will be more a terminal than anything else if they go towards cloud/grid computing

This will never happen.

what?? cloud computing... hell it will and if does consoles will follow the same path..... it's not like the industry is going to have a choice anyway.... unless we can control correctly nano technology a point will come where it will be the only way to go... it's just and only a question of time.... now looking at the past and how it is exponential... I said 2020 it might be later or earlier... but the question if it will or will not exist is already answered... it will... it's better, faster and cheaper...

These posts are too long. Make them shorter.

Xbox 3 will suck regardless. /trolling

And no it won't be virtual. Too much money. /fact

I think the next consoles will still have some sort of media. However, the next-next consoles may very well be all download. Personally, I'm all for that. I had having to have cd/dvd's laying around. Plus, I would think that would help them stem piracy, maybe?