I think that at the end of the day, Microsoft made the competition easier on Sony. If Microsoft isn't going to include the hard drive and all the other "premium" shit that developers can't rely upon being present in the "core" package, then why would Sony need to include a hard drive (as opposed to an add-on)? If Microsoft isn't offering developers concrete reliance upon a hard drive, then Sony doesn't need to either. Thus, saving Sony the trouble of losing even more money on the manufacturing costs of each console. Hence, Microsoft has inadvertently -- or not so inadvertently -- shot themselves in the foot.

The disruptive tactics of Microsoft by shortening the console lifecycle are not honorable either. Microsoft's funds don't compensate for their lack of humility. I'm still waiting for a rock-solid operating system and they've got an erection for the living room. Thanks to Microsoft, I can't count on a hard drive for PS3 anymore.