We’d be careful about putting too much stock into an admittedly far off rumor, but the gang at 1UP claim they’ve heard from those in the know that Microsoft’s set to release a new Xbox console in Fall 2010, and that current media darling Project Natal is “the cornerstone” of that evolution. Specs-wise, it’s suggested we’re looking at only a marginal boost analogous to Nintendo’s GameCube-to-Wii transition — place your bets on how long it’ll take to “max out” this time — as well as a rebranding (Xbox Natal, anyone?) aimed at attracting the highly coveted, more mainstream / casual audience, before Mario and the crew catch a second wind with the oft-rumored Wii HD .

Read the whole story on Engadget