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Microsoft Xbox 'Slim' leaked: 250GB, Wi-Fi -- and 3D?

Leaked adverts have revealed a new, slim Microsoft Xbox 360, with Wi-Fi, a bigger hard drive and possibly 3D capability

Richard Trenholm Former Movie and TV Senior Editor
Richard Trenholm was CNET's film and TV editor, covering the big screen, small screen and streaming. A member of the Film Critic's Circle, he's covered technology and culture from London's tech scene to Europe's refugee camps to the Sundance film festival.
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Richard Trenholm

What a mistake-a to make-a! Prematurely released adverts seem to have revealed a new, slim Microsoft Xbox 360. According to the hastily removed Italian ads, the Xbox 360 will be following the example of the Sony PlayStation 3 Slim and going on a diet.

The ads were spotted on an Italian Web site. The new Xbox was advertised with a 250GB hard drive and Wi-Fi. The Xbox is the last of the three big consoles not to have Wi-Fi built-in.

The side of the trimmed-down box appears to have enlarged ventilation slits, which could be designed to end the Xbox's reliability issues and the curse of the red ring of death.

The Italian text of the advert -- "Vivi oggi pronta per il futuro la tecnologia del domani" -- roughly translates as "Live today ready for the future technology of tomorrow". Now we're just guessing but we wouldn't be surprised if "the technology of tomorrow" turned out to be 3D. The PlayStation 3 does 3D games already, so it's not too much of a stretch. We do know, though, that any new Xboxes will be compatible with the motion-sensing Kinect system, which lets you play without a controller.

All the details will be confirmed at this evening's Microsoft press conference at Los Angeles gaming show E3. For all your gaming gossip, hit up our mates at GameSpot. Ciao!