Analysts expect Nintendo to ship 3.5 million Wii U consoles worldwide by year end. According to many, PS4 and Xbox720 consoles are under development, and could hit the market sometime in 2013.

When they Kill Kenny it’s funny, when they Kill the Start Button not so much. Worse still for Microsoft, consumers won’t be running away from the Vista Monster when Windows 8 finally lands this month. Are there compelling reasons for consumers to buy the new OS?

With Google struggling in the tablet market (i.e. the iPad market), the door is wide open for Microsoft to take a shot at becoming a solid number two. The secret weapon may very well be its Xbox Live service.

And you thought Google’s Android fragmentation was an issue.

The Lumia 900 will go on sale for only $100 with a two-year contract. That’s up to 67% less than much of the higher end competition.

If Microsoft has its way Windows 8 will bring consistency. The way Windows looks on a desktop should look familiar when switching to a mobile device, and vice-versa. In that regard, Apple and Google both ask us to think different.

Many are complaining the new logo is too boring, that it lacks pizazz, and that hopefully MSFT didn’t pay a designer for the new look. All the criticism is flat out wrong. The new Windows 8 logo is a winner. Here’s why.

Given Microsoft’s huge built-in install base, it’s hard to tell if numbers like 500,000 downloads (of Win 8 preview) are impressive, or merely an indication of a roadside curiosity.

Please though, Microsoft, don’t ratchet up the defcon alerts… I’m just trying to see how the 49ers did on Sunday.