Not pictured: the future.

Recent rumours suggested we'd see a new Xbox console at E3 next month, but these were quickly squashed and thrown away. But next year? That's much more likely, according to M2 Research analyst Billy Pidgeon.

The brilliantly named analyst believes the new machine could be shown off at next year's E3 if Xbox 360 sales begin to slow down over the next six months. Central to any next-generation Xbox would be an enhanced Kinect, as we already know Microsoft is building the future of Kinect hardware.

Should the console be revealed next year, it's unlikely we'd see it released much before Christmas 2012 or even into 2013, so Kinect and Xbox 360 have a long life together yet.

[source industrygamers.com]