THE BUZZ: Plenty of rumors have been swirling as of late about Microsoft’s next Xbox—and today’s brings word that it could include some sort of tablet interface.

EGM’s TAKE: So, this news comes from Xbox World Magazine, found via TheOddOne over on internet message forum NeoGAF.

Here’s the gist of the rumor: The next Xbox will be a “matt-black media hub” which will include all of the kinds of upgrades and nifty new features one would expect from a next-generation console.

Along with the often-rumored Kinect 2, however, Microsoft may be throwing in yet another means of player interface. XWM says that the team at Microsoft is “experimenting” with a “tablet-like controller with a shape closer to Sony’s sleek Vita handheld / Apple’s iPad than Wii U’s bulky unit – it’s an HD screen surrounded by the traditional 360 buttons and sticks.”

If this is to believed, then it seems the next Xbox console could end up providing three different interface options: standard controller, Kinect, and this new touchscreen tablet.

So, my first reaction to that idea is this—that’s a lot of things to keep track of and have as options. At the same time, a multitude of peripherals isn’t really a new thing. Being fair, the Wii has the standard Wii Remote, Remote + Nunchuck, Classic Controller, Wii Balance Board, and then various Wii Remote-supporting peripherals. Thus, it might not be as crazy of an idea as it first sounds.

However, how would all of this work in terms of buying the system? If every new console is already going to be bundled with Kinect, unless Microsoft can take a hit on the price, that’s going to mean a potentially higher point of entry in the first place. How much extra would this tablet then be? Would it have game-focused functions, or would it be more for interfacing with the console for media playback?

Oh, and obviously… that would not be the rumored controller pictured above. Just in case, you know, that wasn’t clear.

What do you think? Do you want to see Microsoft make an attempt at creating a tablet that interfaces with their next Xbox hardware?

Source: Xbox World Magazine (via NeoGAF)