Well they say convergence is the future of all things, and it seems are believers too, as Windows platform chief Dean Lester confirms that the 2 will be compatible with Windows gaming in several key ways. For starters, controllers will be transferable between systems - and there's even talk of bringing to the too. Such convergence was hinted at some months back with the confirmation of the XNA platform - with which Microsoft plans to make porting games between the Xbox and PC much easier, and allow for efficient simultaneous development.

The current generation of Windows will support joypad transporting functionality, whilst the upcoming version of Windows, code-named Longhorn - will also include Xbox Live compatibility too. Once again it seems Microsoft's continued successes are based upon their dominance of the OS market, which is quite a cunning link to be establishing. So the standardised joypad is en route, and should allow the rugged USB system used for Xbox to integrate with a PC too. An exciting prospect.

Indeed, third-part manufacturers are already plugging devices which connect USB gadgets to the standard Xbox joypad port - demonstrating that Redmond's flexibility in this area is already beginning to pay off. We'll bring you all the latest on this as we get it.

By Luke Guttridge