As Microsoft readies what will be the most powerful game console to date, it no doubt leaves many of its hardware partners feeling just a wee bit uncomfortable. As we now know, the Xbox 360 consists of a triple-core processor based on IBM's PowerPC architecture and an ATI graphics core, which was designed from scratch for the console environment. The company is also beefing up its Xbox Live online service and improving the overall user experience, as noted in Jason Cross's interview with Todd Holmdahl. Aside from the silly fluff surrounding the MTV "special," which was a big ad featuring more ads and the E3 launch, the Xbox 360 appears to be a formidable piece of hardware. And the industrial design, while different from the usual black or brushed metal gear in most home theater racks, is sleek and attractive. But I can't help feeling that Microsoft missed some big opportunities. It starts with minor things, like the lack of DVI or HDMI outputs that support HDCP content protection. And since Microsoft is launching a year ahead of Sony, they won't be adopting any type of high definition DVD technology, due to the dueling standards that currently exist. Then there's Holmdahl's statement about locking down the Xbox 360 even more, to keep the modders out.