Next Xbox Rumored to Carry "Loop" Name, Due 2013

Tech blog X-bit is reporting a selection of rumors said to be sourced from an unofficial Microsoft product roadmap, which places the successor to the Xbox 360 on track for a late 2013 release, with the name (or codename) "Loop" attached to it.

We can't imagine the "Loop" name being the final branding for the machine -- after all, its release is still around two years out, and these things take time to finalize. Remember that before its launch, the Xbox 360 went by the equally quirky name of "Xenon".

Other factoids uncovered from this leaked roadmap include supposed plans for a second-generation, high-precision Kinect sensor around a year after the "Loop" release, in November 2014.

All possible, and even likely, we'd say. However take all this with a pinch of salt until it's confirmed. We'll have some way to go before this is anywhere near official.