THE BUZZ: Microsoft is preparing to officially announce the next Xbox console at CES in January, according to a new report.

French website Xboxygen says that the platform holder will not make any announcements relating to software or features but will discuss the console’s hardware and specifications. An anonymous source has revealed that Microsoft currently has two teams working on the console; a group called “Infinity” who is in charge of hardware and another called “loop” working on software. The site goes on to say that the console will include a six core processor, AMD graphics and 2GB of RAM.

EGM’s TAKE: Yet another rumor surrounding the next generation Xbox. What’s interesting here, though, is the proposed timing. Over the last few years the winter CES has gained a greater gaming presence (in the ’90s gaming was a huge part of the show). This would give Microsoft a distinct leg up going into the first half of the year, and boost going into June’s E3. It would also give them a headstart over Sony, if sonly plans on announcing anything at E3. The one question we can’t get out of our heads though, could a CES announcement mean a 2012 release?

Do you believe Microsoft will make the announcement in January? Leave a comment below.

Source: Xboxygen