Rumor Mill: Job Listings Point to New Microsoft Home Console

A number of new job listings from Microsoft suggest that the company is hiring more people who might be linked to the design and development of the new home console from the company, which industry watchers have dubbed the Xbox 720.

The ads are looking for people to work on the new user interface for the Kinect, which is rumored to also be linked to a second version of the motion tracking peripheral, 3D imaging and new cutting-edge hardware.

Microsoft has not yet announced its plans for the next generation of home consoles, but analysts are expecting to see the first official news before the end of 2012 and a full launch at some point during next year.

Meanwhile, Nintendo is getting ready to launch its own Wii U home console before the Christmas shopping season begins, although we lack a clear date or a price for the new touchscreen controller-featuring device.