Despite still being a few years away, the Xbox 720 is one of the highly anticipated consoles in the gaming world. Not much is known about Microsoft's next console, but one recent rumor seems to be cropping up more and more: the next Xbox will not be called 720.
VR-Zone recently stated that some of their contacts are asserting that the next gen Xbox will not have the name 720, but will instead be called the Xbox "Next." They also claim that the new name could just be Xbox 8 or just plain "Xbox" - which while bold would be unexpected since the title could cause some confusion. The title Xbox 8 would follow Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system and Windows Phone 8 to create a more streamlined consumer brand.
Inentertainment notes that a search for the keyword "Xbox 720" generates 7.2 million results in Google and questions whether public awareness of the name could ultimately influence Microsoft's decision. Product Review notes that rumors had Apple naming their iPhone the "New iPhone" to follow "the New iPad." But when they ultimately chose to stick with the title "iPhone 5 (as it was widely known on the internet)," it proved that the public's awareness was a major factor.
Despite these new rumors it is hard to completely abandon the notion of the next console being called the 720. A recent movie called Real Steel had a banner in one of its arenas that clearly stated Xbox 720 alongside other brands such as Bing. A 56-page-document revealed back in June also utilized the same name Xbox 720.