Those who follow gaming news already know that Steve Ballmer unleashed a maelstrom of a controversy Thursday when he reportedly let slip some comments suggesting that Microsoft was going to release a new Xbox 360 console in 2010.

“The new device will be equipped with technology that is ‘really, really close’ to an actuality. The console, which was described as having a ‘natural interface,’ will have a built-in camera with the ability to recognize movement and voice.”

Much to the delight of gamers around the world, word of a new Xbox 360 landing as early as 2010 spread like wildfire. Unfortunately, this is one rumor that is quickly turning out to be false. Microsoft and its team of spokespeople are now working overtime to retract and revise what was revealed through Ballmer’s loosely interpreted comments. According to Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb, the current Xbox 360 is not even halfway through its life cycle and will remain the company’s primary entertainment and gaming platform well into the next decade. He further adds that the new motion control platform, Project Natal, will be an integral component of the current Xbox 360 when it launches at an unspecified date in the future.

Read (Ballmer rumor)
Read (Major Nelson response)

A bug that prevented audio signals from being delivered from the Xbox 360 to users receivers/TVs via HDMI has been a huge burden to many people since the issue cropped up with the installation of the NXE update in mid-November, but Microsoft apparently didn’t deem it necessary to address the issue let alone release a patch. Well here we are over two months later and we see that Microsoft has finally decided to come around and push out an official patch to solve the problem. We’re not sure what kept Redmond from remedying the issue sooner but when 360 owners got fed up enough to come to us for help, Microsoft apparantly saw the light. Needy little things those 360 users, aren’t they? The nerve – wanting audio for their video games… It all goes to show that when in doubt, Help Me Howard BGR is on your side.