Microsoft exec outs Xbox 720

Speculation that a new Xbox would be unvieled next year has gained a dose of credibility by way of comments made Windows general manager Brian Hall.

The "Xbox 720" has so far been the stuff of rumors and speculation, and hopes of any hard evidence to prove the console’s existence have been repeatedly dashed.

While speaking with The Verge on the subject of changes to Hotmail and Outlook, Hall let slip the first real confirmation of a new console from Microsoft.

"We’ve operated Hotmail for about 16 years, we obviously have Exchange and Outlook that people use at work, and we just decided it was time to do something new and bring the best from each of those and put them together and release it right in time for the new wave of products that we have coming out with Windows 8, with the new version of Office, with the New Windows Phone and the new Xbox," he said.

But Microsoft refuses to acknowledge that this means a new console, and has told Game Informer that Hall was talking about changes to the Xbox 360, rather than a new device.

"Xbox 360 has found new ways to extend the console lifecycle by introducing controller-free experiences with Kinect and re-inventing the console with a new dashboard and new entertainment content partnerships. We are always thinking about what is next for our platform and how to continue to defy the lifecycle convention."

Whether or not this is a peice of misdirection remains to be seen, but in either case, many expect Microsoft to unveil a new console at E3 2013.