Microsoft never confirmed blu-ray support for the 360, Steve mentioned blu-ray drivers and Java support for Windows and that was it (even the above link to the previous article on this very site confirms this!). A Sony spokesperson alleged blu-ray's inclusion in the console but it seems a number of news sites have got this completely the wrong way round... (including this one, despite getting the story right the first time!)

I think that's what they say in the story actually...

Microsoft is a BIG company, so while some parts, like the Windows division will now need to work on standard drivers for BD-ROM drives etc, other divisions (like XBox) have, at the moment, decided it's not necessary.

That's cool, nothing wrong with that and surely they can change their minds when they feel like it, if they think it's a viable solution. And I'm sure Sony would welcome them with open arms!

So where's the confusion at?

Why is MCV into sensational journalism, like The Sun Newspaper etc?

Can't you just report on facts and confirmed statements?

I'd figure that eventually they will have to support Blu-Ray. I mean they still sell the console as an 'HD experience' and that will be severely stunted if it can't play HD movies.

Now that HDDVD is gone, and downloading HD content is still pretty hard for net connections to stomach, their hand may be forced.

@3

Have you read any of the other coverage on other sites? This mcv version is probably the least sensational one so far.

The thing is, for games, there is no advantage in BluRay. So why should Microsoft sell a player unless its to go for the movies audience.

If you really think there is no advantage to blu-ray then you have screw loose, also there was news of Sony taking a bit of cash from each blu-ray unit sold so i believe that Microsoft did a u-turn because Sony wanted a bit too much of the profits ! (just my opinion)

I read that if Metal Gear Solid were released for XBox 360, you would require six disks as apposed to one Blu-Ray disk. No advantage?

All is not over for HD-DVD? : http://www.contentagenda.com/article/CA6539511.html

Blu-Ray has a big advantage with the data it can contain, 6x as much as a DVD. But it's disadvantage is disc reading, i.e Devil may cry 4 and the 20 min pre-install to speed up loading screen times.

So it has advantages and disadvantages... But more of an advantage overall due to the amount of data it can hold.

Microsoft denied a price drop on the 360 three days before they dropped the price on the 360.

This means nothing.