While rumors about the "features" of Microsoft's next generation hardware seem to be converging around one or two ideas (including a required internet connection at all times), the date at which we'll know for certain is a moving target. Last rumored to be taking place at the end of this month, the latest suspected timeframe for the announcement is at the end of May. The date was first stated by tech blogger Paul Thurott and echoed by The Verge.

If the May 21 date that Thurott and The Verge are standing behind is true, then the announcement will come only three weeks before Microsoft's E3 press conference. It also gives Sony a full three months to build hype for the PlayStation 4, which they've been taking advantage of quite well. We reached out for comment, but received the following (expected) response from a Microsoft spokesperson, "Microsoft does not comment on rumors or speculation."

[Source: The Verge]