...the other thought that crossed my mind - who else might benefit from jumping into consoles, already has factories that create computer-related hardware, and is facing a slump due to growing increase in Apple products?

Dell. They have wide popularity and name recognition in many locations in the US and overseas.

And teh winnah is:

EA making its own console would be suicide, so unless they're run by ex-WallStreet CEO's it's not going to happen.

EA would lose some of its most important lisences like FIFA if they only develop for their own console and it just doesn't have enough interesting games to warrant a console.

Main rivals Activision and Ubisoft would probably be happy to take over the gap on the other consoles, so might wait a long time before developing for an EA console.

false Rumor

Mabye next gen will be the one console future. EA, THQ, Activision, Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Samsung, Toshiba, Panasonic, Pioneer, and Apple will all come together on a standard much like DVD or Blu-ray. Every game would be made specifically for that hardware standard and you could play every game on every console. Then there would be a vastly larger battle for the consumers money, driving prices down and innovation through the roof. Best of all, most of the money made would be due to the sales of games. That means major focus on making the best games possible.

I hope that this is why EA is going to look at hardware. Next gen every console will be capable of spirits within graphics, and at that point what is the purpose of exclusives. Next gen a one console standard could finally give all devs the chance to shine. Just imagaine teams like Infinity Ward, critereon, or Rockstar that make killer games, and across multiple hardware designs, having the chance to finally focus on one development platform, and having more focus on the actuall game.

This is were gamers need to unite. Forget this fanboy crap and realise how much bigger and better games could be if we all united to a single standrad. We want gaming to be main stream, but I know close to 40M of us don't want a Wii like future. This single format standard would allow gaming to be mainstream, and bring both the casual Nintendo games, and the Epic, Cinimatic, Story Driven, Masterpeices from world class developers together on one stage. One format is truly the ultimate acheivment the gaming industry could ever acoplish.

First of all, where's the source?

Second, I doubt EA would be interested in a console, given that except for Nintedo, both Sony and Microsoft have lost $ billions in the last few years and 4 console manufacturers would be a mass suicide.

What I think is that EA might be looking to have a line of console-like PCs, already with EA's own community system, like Steam, that lets you download games.

if MS would bail out , then there would be enough room for a new company

Burnout only on EA console???? NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Hope this is all hogwash...

I do know a few people who would: Madden casuals - people whose only driving interest is the annual Madden.  Toss in a Rock Band/Guitar Hero rip off, and you have the ultimate casual console.

Timeline of Events if EA published a console:

1.) EA launches new console
2.) No one buys it
3.) Microsoft buys up a cash ravaged EA at bottom of the barrel prices