OK you've heard it said many times, "360 Next Next Generation Console." I watched all the hoopla during the launch, and after. I heard reporter after reports say, it's good but I really don't see this as a next generation. I think they "MISSED IT" all together, the reporters that it. As a gaming console the 360 is great, but to get the next generation, look past the gaming console for a second. First off in the "DASH." what we call the interface that interacts with the console it's self. The tabs there show more than just the configuration information for the XBox, it now connects to your home network, and becomes an extension, and an output device for you PC. "SO" you say. Your missing it, "Pay a little more attention!" Next when you connect to XBox Live, "For Free", still forget gaming..... Look at download trailers. And there is this place called, "Market Place" Any light bulbs popping yet? Are you starting to see "Next Generation" yet?

All right! Let's take this step by step. Your new XBox 360 connects to your computer. Well now you can stream the pictures, and videos from your PC to your TV. If you have home video, everyone doesn't have to set around your computer monitor to watch. Your getting it in HD, surround sound, your a hollywood director, full screen woopie. Your MP3, iTunes, music catalog now integrated into your home entertainment. Just be careful with the porn OK, watch out for the kiddies, and those who really don't want to see it.

WAIT A MINUTE! That still doesn't make it next generation yet. There are plenty of other devices that did that before 360. Remember the Free XBox Live, and Market Place. Now this is the place to really thinking of the possibilities. This is the place your XBox 360 gets LIVE and jumps into that "Next Generation" I'm getting all excited here.... I said free trailers right. OK so you'll find you can download free movie trailers and check those out. You can get Microsoft Points, "what they want more money" Hold your horse and listen for a second. Thos points are a key.... right now you can purchase stuff like icons and badges for your gamer card and I'm assuming those will be used other places on the web, like MSN Spaces, MS Live, and so on. Now if your look a t that, those things don't have a real hill of beans to do with gaming. You get movie trailer (for now that are trailers), and you can get software (doesn't all have to be gaming). Then I start to think of what's NEXT?

Welcome to Next Generation! Now (My Soap BOX for a Second) I'm really starting to look at what's NEXT:) Can I rent a movie? Buy Music? Get Concert tickets, or even better watch it right here at home? Start thinking out of the box folks. And those parts have nothing to with gaming. OH Yea, I can talk to anyone else that has one of these, and soon I can have a video chat as well. We are talking VoIP plus. I can imagine the things I would like to see, and I'm now thinking they are all possible. Let's take something like NetFlix. Who wants to bother with the mail. The 360 could do it. This is what I want to see tonight, make my selection, 300 MS points, and tonight when I get home boom! Or try this one.... 1000 MS points for the year, and I'm able to download all the music I want for the year and put them on my MP3 player. Yea... I don't own them... I don't care, I don't own NetFlix either but that doesn't bother me. I just rent it, then if I really want to own a copy 50 points and it's mine. OK now how many light bulbs are on? Are we all seeing "NEXT GENERATION YET?" (Whoa.. Off My Soap Box)

Who wants to get one of these now? Is Sony going to have that? Wait who cares, I can get one now! Well as soon as the new shipments get here. Or maybe someone nice can get me one for XMas ( <----- HINT ). All this (see above) and I don't even own one yet. How did that happen? Anyway, that's's what I'm excited about and where I'm seeing the Next Generation, anyone else seeing that? Or feel free to share what your seeing as next generation.