Microsoft utters three long-awaited words: The New Xbox

The New Xbox. Three tiny words that have been used a million times on the internet over the last two years. But never before by a Microsoft executive.

But those were exactly the words used by Microsoft general manager Brian Hall in a Windows 8 focused video interview with The Verge, which you can see below.

Said Hall: 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 could have coming out with Windows 8, with the new version of Office with the new Windows phone and the new Xbox.”

Some outlets have interpreted this as meaning the New Xbox will launch alongside Windows 8. But with the new OS having an end of October release date that seems highly unlikely. Scrap that – it’s impossible.

What it does mean though is that previous suggestions that Windows 8 will include some tied functionality with Xbox Live are spot on.

And, of course, the first official mention of a new Xbox from the mouth of Microsoft must mean that a reveal is drawing ever nearer.