Next-Generation Disappointment?

I keep turning over and over in my head what the next-generation of consoles is going to be like, and I have a hard time envisioning them. Nintendo is rightly being pilloried for the Wii U being simply a half-step towards the true next-generation of consoles, but what exactly does that term even mean? While the next round of systems will certainly allow for better graphics, I currently can't think of one thing that would make a new batch of consoles absolutely necessary. Then again, perhaps the console manufacturers already know this…

If the last generation of consoles brought forth amenities such as large, dedicated hard drives, online services (for things like multiplayer, DLC, downloadable games, and cloud services), and HD (including a Blu-ray player in the PS3), I can't envision what the hallmarks of this upcoming generation are going to be that will match up with some of the big steps forward which were ushered in by the current round of consoles.

Unlike the last three generations, we're not going to get a new, widespread media format (CDs, DVD, and Blu-ray) that's also going to take hold in other non-gaming applications. And with Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, and the Nintendo Virtual Channel being services that can grow irrespective of the system they are on, it's unclear to me how advances in hardware are 100% necessary to evolve those services.

Controller inputs are certainly an area where the Wii U is trying to differentiate itself, and if the rumors are true, so is Microsoft (aside from Kinect). Having said that, I belong to the camp who believes that no matter the fancy touch screen, regular controllers will remain the de facto way to enjoy (and that's the operative word here) the vast majority of game experiences for the foreseeable future.

But maybe the companies already know this, and even they don't actually believe that the next round of consoles are truly a big step forward. Gamers have gotten used to new systems ushering large-scale changes, but there are certainly lots of consumer electronics products (and stuff in general) where new versions are merely sidesteps like the Apple iPhone 4s. With the likely high cost of a new home console, this kind of approach would rankle most gamers, but it may be a mindset that we'll have to adopt.

As gaming machines become more of a fixture in everyone's homes and their functionality expands to more non-gaming uses that are inclusive of activities outside of just playing games, the machines themselves could become less specialized. This could lead to everything from lower costs, third-party licensed platforms (like the 3DO), and even lower tech specs.

Of course, I have no idea what the next systems are going to look like, whether their features will justify their cost, and how far forward they will advance the ball. But every new round of consoles can't be a total revolution, and I feel like everyone's (both consumers and manufacturers) attitudes towards consoles and products is becoming more and more disposable. There's also the cynic in me that feels like we're every five or so years we're all a captive audience waiting around with our tongues and wallets hanging out, waiting to buy whatever we're offered without question. Especially since then new games for those systems make them basically mandatory purchases.

Should we be bracing for disappointment?