XBox 2 Early Launch

Rumor has it that Microsoft is planning to launch the next generation console system in 2005 which is a year or two sooner than Sony's Playstation 3 launch. In doing so, Microsoft hopes to reap the benefits of "first mover advantage". This is one dumb idea cooked up by the Microsoft ego. The current XBox is already a better system in terms of performance and graphics than the PS2, but XBox fails to even come close in snatching any of PS2's market share. And now, Microsoft thinks that by launching the next generation system will make it more competetive against Sony's dominant market share? I doubt it. Speed and graphics of a system are not the only factors that matter to gamers. Game title choices, free online access, and system ergonomics are just as important. Remember DreamCast? Yeah, look what happened to it being the "first mover" of the current generation system.
I have seen and tried the XBox. Yes, I must admit that XBox graphics and performance is superb compared to Sony's aging system. But I still refuse to buy the XBox. Why? XBox is big in all physical aspects. XBox wants you to pay to play multiplayer online games while PS2 offers almost all its online games for free. PS2 demonstrates Sony's incredible know how in gaming. Both XBox and GameCube are better systems than PS2 and yet Sony continues to dominate.
If Microsoft does launch its next generation console early, I think Microsoft owes all current XBox owners an apology and rebate. I for one do not even care if Microsoft launches the next generation system next year or five years from now. I am only keeping my eyes on Playstation 3.
Here is a great article discussing Microsoft's big idea.