I think Microsoft have made the right business decisions here. It really seems like this is a good logical next step for consoles, what with more online and media capabilities. I'm also really excited that Kinect will be included. I hope it turns out to be REALLY GOOD this time around, in both hardware and the software's implentations. Frankly, I don't understand why all the whining - games will be as good as ever, and online and native Kinect will open up a lot more possibilities.

@ken4062 You spammed this below, and you're not even close to providing an accurate picture. Why is it so important to you that PS4 is more powerful? Your micrope**s isn't getting any bigger.

Good God! The Sony trolls are like roaches coming out of the woodwork! HALP! o.o;

Having read the article, I don't really think that's a fair "Conclusion", either. There are plenty of other complexities involved. IMO, it's not likely we'll see any/many huge differences in graphical quality between the two - much like the current PS3/360 era.

@plm3d_basic Thank you!

@DarkReign2552 I'm hoping that the drivers and hardware have matured a bit, myself. That said, the fact that everyone will have it, just rules! It really expand's Kinect's horizons. Even if it only ends up being as good as the previous one, for party games and Xbox Live Arcade, it will make for a great addition.

"ARGH THE KINECT IS WATCHING ME!!"
*unplugs Kinect*
*covers Kinect with sheet*
*unplugs internet*
*powers off Xbox*
*turns off television*
*bolts front door*
*closes curtains*
*picks up shotgun*
*goes into closet and locks door*
*assumes fetal position*

I'm not a "casual gamer," but this excites me for a few reasons:

1.) Native Kinect. Everyone has it, which means developers can use it to it's full potential. Over time, as devs really work with the hardware, that opens up some really cool possibilities.

2.) Not everyone's a hardcore gamer. Sometimes I have friends over, and it's nice to be able to jump into something for a bit of light entertainment. Wii Sports was perfect for that. If we can get some fun party games, it has a lot of potential.

3.) Xbox Live Arcade. With it being native, indie-devs can really make use of it. I'll be expecting some cheap, simple games that use thing in fun ways - things that couldn't really be done with Kinect being a seperate peripheral.

Of course, it all depends on the hardware and Microsoft's drivers. I'm not expecting it to be the greatest revolution in gaming, but I think it will be a really great addition for years to come. I'm really happy that they decided to include it out of the box. This product looks really promising to me so far.

@Renunciation That's fair enough - not wanting to pay for the extra etc. But I tend to think it's a bit backward thinking for a technology product in 2013. This has to be around for years to come.
I think Microsoft are looking to the future here, and delivering a product that will be able to do things that haven't really been done before, and I think they'll deliver on the gaming front, as they've always done.
I can definitely see this as being an integrated, all-in-one, living-room entertainment device that's viable for many families as "the only entertainment product they need".

@bionicearlobe @Skhuff Seriously, do you really think they've forgotten you? That they're making a console for Soccer Mom's that will only play Angry Birds?
I honestly don't know what you were expecting. As far as I'm concerned, people wanted a next-gen game console - Microsoft delivered.