Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb posting on his Xbox 360-centric blog today that Ballmer wasn't speaking about the Xbox platform during his interview with Gizmodo, instead saying those accessories were bound for the PC. More "poorly chosen words" or just a simple misunderstanding?

"As we have said in the past, we have no plans to introduce a Blu-Ray drive for the Xbox 360," Hryb reiterated. "In fact, the future of home entertainment starts very soon when Xbox 360 becomes the first and only console to offer instant-on 1080p streaming HD movies."

We have no plans for Blu-Ray on Xbox 360 [Major Nelson]

In an exclusive interview with sister site Gizmodo, Ballmer addressed the question of adding Blu-ray to the Xbox 360, saying, "Well I don't know if we need to put Blu-ray in there-you'll be able to get Blu-ray drives as accessories.

I think mostly the future of movies is on-demand, actually, as opposed to distribution via physical media," Ballmer continued. "So we're just gonna keep driving forward and try to make it the best entertainment — overall entertainment, not just gaming, but overall entertainment experience we can."

In the post format war, Microsoft has continued to push digital distribution, which seems contradictory to the idea that Microsoft would pursue a Blu-ray add-on accessory.

When Xbox spokespeople were asked about Ballmer's comment, they told Gizmodo, "Our solution for HD quality video on an Xbox 360 is coming this fall with Zune Video and 1080p instant-on HD streaming. As far as our future plans are concerned, we're not ready to comment."

Ballmer Talks Natal, Says Blu-ray Add-On for Xbox Coming [Gizmodo]

Microsoft's Director of Product Management for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live Aaron Greenberg told Kotaku "There will be no new console."

"We're not going to be launching a new console any time soon," Greenberg said during a phone call today. "I really believe he was speaking about Project Natal."

Ballmer has clarified his comment to IGN, stating, "I confused the issue with my poorly chosen words. There is no news in my comments. Things are as reported after E3. Sorry."

When Steve Ballmer mucks up, does someone else yell at him for mucking up or does Steve Ballmer just yell at himself? Who knows, maybe there's just quiet time.

Ballmer Clarifies His 'New' Xbox 360 Comment [IGN via EDGE]

According to TG Daily's recount of Ballmer's talk, in which he discussed "the role of innovation in changing economic times," the executive made mention of a new Xbox 360 configuration, one that Microsoft hasn't exactly denied.

Either Ballmer has been reading 1UP, who recently ran a rumor that Microsoft would be re-launching the Xbox 360 next year with its Project Natal tech built into the device, or he's the CEO of Microsoft for chrissakes.

It makes a great deal of sense to bundle the tech with the stock Xbox 360, as built-in support for a Natal-powered version of the box would ensure greater software support. And Microsoft's Shane Kim recently told Kotaku that the size of the launch of Natal would be on par with a new generation console launch.

Clearly, Microsoft also has designs on launching a version of its motion and depth-sensing camera as a peripheral, so current Xbox 360 owners don't have to upgrade to an all new box. 1UP's story on the "Xbox Natal" indicated that the device would also see a hardware spec boost, but it appears Ballmer didn't drop details on that.

We've contacted Microsoft to get one more comment on the matter and will update when we hear back.

Ballmer announces 2010 Xbox 360 at The Executive Club Chicago [TG Daily]

The topic: "The Role of Innovation in a Challenging Economy". The game connection: During his speech, Ballmer is quotes as saying, "Pay attention to the stuff we're announcing in the next month on Xbox." Ballmer did not elaborate more than that reports Victor Godinez from The Dallas Morning News.

Of course, next month is E3, and of course Microsoft will be announcing things for its Xbox 360 platform — things like the rumored motion controller. If it doesn't, Steve Ballmer still wants your undivided attention.

Steve Ballmer in Dallas today: "Pay attention to the stuff we're announcing in the next month on Xbox." [Technology Blog DMN] [Pic]

While at a trade show in Barcelona, Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer told Reuters, "Revenues in our industry, and in our company, will be affected by the economic conditions."

Will be? What was last January? A lark?

To be fair, those January announcements were based on forecasts. It sounds like Ballmer is softening the blow for when Microsoft finally announces its financial earnings. No further details from Ballmer on how exactly this affects the company's gaming division.

Microsoft sees sales impact from economy [Reuters via EDGE]

That's why we're taking it easy this year. We're expecting little more than some Halo-related announcements and word to drop on Kodu — the game creation tool formerly known as Boku. They really have a knack for sexy product names, eh?

Read on for our up to the minute that they say something game-related liveblog.

It doesn't sound like Microsoft is bringing much in the way of big guns, at least if Techcrunch's report on details from the keynote are accurate. While we'll still be liveblogging the bejeezus out of the talk, it sounds dry as dust.

On the gaming side, Ballmer will talk up the two Halo universe titles being released in 2009, Ensemble Studios Halo Wars and Bungie's Halo 3 expansion Halo 3: ODST. And that's it. E3 this is not, obviously, as Microsoft has things besides the Xbox 360 on its 2009 slate.

We'd suggest keeping your eyes on our CES 2009 coverage regardless, especially if Ballmer decides to drop new Halo 3: ODST details. There's always a good chance Microsoft has something special up its corporate sleeve, so we'll keep our finger crossed that an extra day spent in Las Vegas was not done so in vain.

Ballmer’s CES Keynote Promises To Be A Snoozer (Non-Announcements Revealed!) [Techrunch via Gizmodo]

The console war is OVER! [Games Radar] Thanks Tyler!

While Ballmer says that Microsoft has "moved on" from HD-DVD and that "we'll support Blu-ray in ways that make sense" that could mean support stops and starts at drivers for Windows Vista. Of course, it could also mean that Sony senior execs weren't fibbing about a potential Blu-ray capable Xbox 360. Won't some kind time traveler tell us what the plan is?

Ballmer lets out his inner Monkey at Mix08 event [Seattle Post Intelligencer]

According the quarterly earnings release, Microsoft shipped 1.8 million Xbox 360s to market, twice that of the previous quarter. The company expects that for the rest of the fiscal year, revenue for the fun side of Microsoft will improve based on "increased sales of Xbox 360 consoles and related games, accessories, and services, and sales of Zune products." Go Zune!

For those keeping score, Sony lost a bunch of money, Nintendo made a fuck-ton of money and Microsoft performed solidly, if not spectacularly. See you next quarter!

The mysteriously sideburn-free, former Tiger Beat centerfold Bill Gates is finally being put out to pasture, with screaming ape Steve Ballmer stepping up to the challenge with freshly-dampened pitstains and a glossy scalp. Alas, as the Darth Vader-like egg-throne closes over Ballmer's kindly visage, rumblings are already afoot! Do you have the chops, Ballmer?!

"The direction they've laid out has not impressed investors," says Hall, chief operating officer of Fredric E. Russell Investment Management. "We need the old Microsoft with the direction and vision they had - Gates's vision."

Terrifying proclaimations from experts in the field. The Sydney Morning Herald questions Ballmer's spending, MS's apparent lack of focus, and general tooth-length of late. When was the last time you were truly excited by an impending Microsoft product? Yeah, me too. Eliza gauger

Microsoft Losing Its Edge [Sydney Morning Herald]

Nerdy, fast-talking brother site Valleywag points to a leaked internal email sent by Microsoft CEO and funnyman Steve Ballmer. In short, it explains why Microsoft has been unloading truckloads of cash. (MSoft's stock took a nosedive last week after it was announced the company was spending at the expense of short-term profits.)

"[T]he cost of producing Xbox 360 consoles was higher than expected, while at the same time we decided to manufacture and sell as many consoles as possible to build on our lead in the race to be number one in the video game business," said Ballmer's email, which also adds that Microsoft will have 5 million consoles sold by July.

There's no way Steve Ballmer wrote that. The email isn't in all caps. How are we supposed to know he's screaming?

More Here [Valleywag]

I've been hearing that MS has sold around 1.6 million Xbox 360's since November '05, which puts them in a tight spot, as Sony expects to ship (and presumably sell-through) 6 million units within the same time frame. Steve, however is "palpably optimistic" that they can do it.

It's all just so exciting to watch this console bloodbath go down! Which monolithic corporation are you rooting for?

Ballmer: Xbox Will Capitalize On PS3 Delay [Fortune]

The weekday show has anchors Bill Griffeth and Sue Herera "take an up-close and personal look at the companies, people and trends driving the markets and influencing Wall Street — whether from the world of entertainment, media, real estate, technology or fashion."

One would assume the Xbox 360 might come up.