Microsoft Registers Hard Drive Patent 2

Rumours have once again begun to fly regarding whether the next-generation Xbox will or will not contain a hard drive. After announcing a significant deal with flash memory producer M-Systems many had assumed that a hard drive would definitely not be included in the new console, but a new U.S. patent seems to contradict this. The new patent concerns "a gaming system [that] includes a hard disk drive for storing applications and other data.” This has started new speculation on whether Microsoft might be considering two variations of the new console, at different price points, in the same manner as Sony are apparently planning with the PlayStation 3. Source: Gamer Feed