Microsoft Denies That It Admitted To Xbox 720

Recently, Windows Live General Manager Brian Hall, speaking with The Verge, casually noted that a “new Xbox” is among several products that Microsoft has lined up over the next few years. Considering that was the first time a Microsoft employee acknowledged the existence of the Xbox 360’s successor, the comment took people by surprise.

If Microsoft’s PR is to be believed, Hall’s comment about a new Xbox was “misunderstood.” What Hall meant to reference, according to the company, was the new fall update coming to the current Xbox.

A Microsoft rep told IGN:

“The comments to The Verge were not understood in their intended context. When Brian mentioned a ‘new wave of products,’ he was referring to the full lineup of products coming later this year from Microsoft, including Windows 8, Office, Windows Phone and of course our fall Xbox update which will bring a host of new consumer experiences like Xbox Music, Videos, Games on Windows 8 and Xbox SmartGlass.”

It’s certainly possible that Hall was referring to the upcoming fall update and not a new Xbox, but one has to wonder if the same can be said of this job description, posted on Microsoft’s website (via OXM).

“Over the next eighteen months Microsoft will release new versions of all of our most significant products including Windows (Client, Server, Phone and Azure), Office and Xbox, along with completely new offerings like Microsoft Surface.”

The listing could also be referring to the fall update, sure, but I’m going to have to go with “no” on that.