It appears as if Microsoft will do the sensible thing and offer Xbox 360 bundles with its hands-free Kinect controller, as well as possibly offer a $199 version of the sleeker and sexier redesigned Xbox 360--if a leaked internal Q&A has it right.
This is a no-brainer move. Like HGH, everyone is doing it. But Microsoft's lips have remained tighter than Umbrella after a zombie accident... or a corporation that wants to control the PR cycle for a gadget that it believes can extend this hardware generation.
Microsoft hasn't publicly commented on bundles, despite the device's recent unveil at E3 2010, and in spite of how obvious and advantageous the move is.
The price of Kinect hasn't been announced either, but retailers haven't been as quiet. Several are listing a stand-alone Kinect unit at $150.
Aside from Kinect bundles, the Q&A doc also has a special question about a $199 console, asking simply "Will you sell a $199 version of the new Xbox 360?" In the answer, Microsoft confirms plans to offer one this fall, though, to be generous, the wording is vague. It makes no mention of whether this planned console will be an Arcade unit or a redesigned Xbox 360. But it would be rather silly to offer a stripped down white console--for fifty dollars more, no less--after all these shiny black beasts get out in the wild, no?
I'm in the process of retrieving comment from Microsoft. In advance, I'm guessing it'll be "Microsoft does not comment on rumors or speculation."