The latest rumors are stirring about Microsoft's plan to launch an Xbox Lite in 2013.

According to postings by MS Nerd, a user known for leaking Microsoft news, the new Xbox Lite will be released ahead of the next Xbox 720. With buzz about Nintendo's upcoming WiiU, Microsoft may be ready to steal some of that thunder with its latest offering.

"At some point after [the XBOX Lite], we'll see a[n] XBOX Next, a true successor to the 360," posted MS Nerd.

Xbox Lite may hit the market starting at $100 and feature an ARM processor, run existing Xbox games, media applications, and work with Kinect. To make the lite console more affordable, Microsoft may be toning down on the visual graphics power. Target audiences might be players who have not yet own an Xbox 360 but may join the crowd if given a budgeted cost.

With rumors swirling about Microsoft's next gen console Xbox 720 preparing for a 2014 launch and a Kinect revamp for 2015, an Xbox Lite 2013 Christmas release may be feasible.

There has been no official word on the Xbox Lite features, release date, or specs at this time. Microsoft did announce that the next Xbox console is not planned for any E3 show appearances.

"It will be cheaper than the 360, further enabling Kinect adoption. And it will be far smaller than the 360. It will also demonstrate how Windows Phone could possible implement Win9's dev platform on the lower end," added MS Nerd.



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