"next" gen?

[Accordion]

while i think calling current gen. systems next gen. systems makes as much sense as calling you console '360' it most likely has some connection to trying to distinguish between the '3' and the other consoles we have.

other wise current generation would include:
Xbox360, Wii, DS, PSP, PC, GBA micro, Playstation2, and Playstation3.

Because the ps2 is still a viable option when purchasing a console, when by most standards it is last gen.

[JKKDARK]

while i think calling current gen. systems next gen. systems makes as much sense as calling you console '360' it most likely has some connection to trying to distinguish between the '3' and the other consoles we have.

other wise current generation would include:
Xbox360, Wii, DS, PSP, PC, GBA micro, Playstation2, and Playstation3.

Because the ps2 is still a viable option when purchasing a console, when by most standards it is last gen.

GBASP is actually selling more than the GBA Micro.

PS2 is not supported like the seventh generation consoles, you will not see Final Fantasy XIII, Virtua Fighter, Devil May Cry, etc, anymore.
By your logic, the Dreamcast was a viable option until (at least) March 8th 2007.
You can't add a sixth generation console/handheld to the current generation.

[Accordion]

the PS2 still has a large store space around the world. There are still games released in all stores. the console is still manufactured.

My point was that the term 'next gen" is applied to the 360, PS3 and Wii even though they are current because they are still competing will "last gen" console.

[SSaxdude]

Give it a year or two and the 360/PS3/Wii will be the "current" generation.

[JPJunkie]

Yeah it is a bit annoying that

[bah]

Console makers always term up-coming consoles as next-gen whilst there is(was) an existing lineup of consoles (xbox, ps2, cube) that still get games produced for them, and are in no rush to change it once the new ones replace them as it just sounds better.

Tech-illiterate people or suckers for marketing love things like that, why buy what's current when you can have the next generation. That's a whole generation better.
Who needs a benchmark for the abilities of each product when the box that one of your options comes in claims to have futuristic benefits?

Marketing's a bitch, but its not going anywhere.
It seems its about the 1/2 way point in a console's life cycle (when a new model you have to wait with bated breath to pay for is announced) before they give up on the 'next gen' moniker.