Disturbing Next-Gen Console Rumors

So, the EDGE has reported that an inside source at Microsoft confirmed that the next gen Xbox will have the following specs, features and restrictions:

- Xbox games will be on Blu-ray discs
- AMD 8-core 64-bit 1.6GHz CPU
- D3D11.x 800MHz GPU
- 8GB of DDR3
- Restrictive development platform (Studios can only work with approved development libraries)
- New more responsive Kinect will be shipped alongside new console
- Require an "always on" internet connection to use (sucks for the 26% of Xbox users who don't have internet)
- Games will ship with one-time, one-use activation codes (this means games will be tied to one account - NO USED GAMES)
-- GameStop stock has dropped 6.8% since this announcement

The PS4 is scheduled to be officially announced on 20 Feb 13 but here's some rumors anyways:

- New controller with LED screen instead of Start, Select and PS buttons
- 8-core AMD64 CPU
- AMD R10XX GPU
- Less restrictive development platform
- Next-gen console camera
- RFID chips embedded in the game disc that stores console specific data to prevent from playing on multiple consoles

Now, in my opinion, this one-time use is similar to Steam but with these major differences:

- You can access games from any computer system at any time with an internet connection or in offline mode. You're not limited to only use the system the game was activated on.

- Old (and many newer) titles are usually 50-75% off the retail price. For example, Bioshock on the 360 is still $30, this game came out in 2007. But for the PC, it's been frequently on sale for $5 for the past couple of years. Another example, I was able to pre-order Borderlands 2 for $33 - no chance this would ever be possible in the console market.

- There's a huge modding community and modding tools provided by developers to allows gamers to create their own in-game content (Steam Workshop)

- A built-in distribution system for new developers to try and get their games the attention of the 54 million active user accounts (Steam Greenlight)

Of course, these are all rumors and conjecture but the official announcements are coming soon...