Now here's a juicy rumour for you to digest this morning . A guy going by the name of Quartermann, who writes for Electronic Gaming Monthly, claims that Microsoft will be allowing third-party manufacturers to create its Xbox 360 hardware.

Sounds ridiculous right? This is what EGM has to say:

We'll tell you what's up with Microsoft: new hardware options. It may sound totally insane — trust us, we did a double-take the first time Qmann whispered it in our ears — but word has it that Microsoft may begin allowing third-party manufacturers to create Xbox 360 hardware. And we're not talking about peripherals, people; we mean hardware that runs 360 game discs created by someone other than Microsoft.

It's not actually a bad idea is it?. Microsoft sell the Xbox 360 innards to other manufacturers, make some licensing money, reduce its manufacturing costs, gain a larger install base and more software sales as a result,right?

Can you imagine some of the designs? Manufacturers could incorporate the hardware into their own products. A Panasonic TV with built in Xbox 360' capability maybe? A freeview box that plays Call of Duty 5? A Samsung Xbox 360/Blu-ray player combo? The possibilities are endless.

More importantly, Microsoft would have snuck a piece of its technology into even more homes then it's in now.World domination would truly be in its sights.

Do you think Microsoft would really license out its Xbox 360 hardware? Let us know your thoughts in the forums.

Source :: Ubergizmo