If consoles are indeed the approach that the so called “next generation” will use, I’m expecting game systems to begin to transcend mere gaming functionality and begin to take their place as the primary household processing unit.
PS3’s are already being used as a cheap alternative to the supercomputer, and both it and the PS2 have been desired not only for their gaming, but for their ability to play DVDs and blu-ray discs. These units are not just for gaming, but serve as a primary entertainment unit in a household.
In 2009, we saw the explosion of the iPhone app. It has become apparent that there is almost no limit to the creative functionality that even so limited a computer can handle. People have been downloading apps at an extraordinary rate to suit their lifestyles. Now if only we could combine this kind of mobile functionality to our entire lives…
I foresee the next generation of game systems to be powerful computers that can serve both entertainment needs, and as being a wireless, central processing unit for an entire home. Remember when you were a kid and they told you that one day computers would be checking our fridges for milk and ordering it when you were low, turning on the heat at your home 20 minutes before you arrive and storing all of your pictures, music and media to be beamed to any location in a flash? All these futuristic things are very possible at the moment but some kind of affordable standardized system for the network is lacking. This idea was already thrown about with the PS3, but certain budget restraints prevented it from happening.
Console companies are creating new, state of the art technology, and such innovation doesn’t come cheap. With all the competition in the game industry, I think there is very little chance the next generation of systems can afford to dedicate their efforts strictly to playing video games and watching movies. Bring on the HomeStation!