Rumor: Sony's next-gen console "Orbis" to be announced in May, or E3 at the latest

Considering next-gen Xbox rumors continue to spread virally, some people were beginning to wonder if Sony was going to sit 2013 out. Not so fast, ye of little faith. It appears that in an interview with Chilean outlet El-Mercurio On-Line, Sony  VP Hiroshi Sakamota confirmed the console would be announced by E3 or perhaps even May. Looks like PlayStation 4 is back on the menu, boys.

After being specifically asked whether there would be a new Sony PlayStation console announced in coming months, Sakamoto responded with this (translated):

"It's still a big secret, but our Sony PlayStation friends are getting ready. I only can say that we're focused on the games related E3 event, booked for June. The announcement can take place there or even before, in May."

To be honest, May seems a bit far out for such a large announcement. Well, that is, if Sony is planning on actually releasing the PlayStation 4 in 2013. Consider the Wii U, which was announced in April of 2011, but launched over a year later in November 2012. A prototype Wii U was shown at E3 2011 and the console was fully playable at E3 2012. Will 6 months be enough for Sony?

By comparison, however, Microsoft reveal the Xbox 360 at a May 12 event and released the console in November later that year. That is to say, a 6 month announcement to launch window isn't so impossible. Considering the secrecy war going on between Microsoft and Sony a this point, it'd probably to be expected. 2013 is going to be a good year.