Tonight, Microsoft officially stops refusing to comment on rumour and speculation and starts talking cold, hard fact about Xbox 360 - the next-generation Xbox console, which will launch later this year (possibly November) according to Bill Gates. The console will be unveiled in a 30-minute broadcast on MTV in North America, taking place at 21:30 EDT, which, just to clarify, is around 02:30 British Summer Time and 03:30 CEST for anybody reading this from Europe who plans to stay up and follow the inevitable coverage of the show on the Internet.

Microsoft has already said that it will demonstrate "the Xbox vision for the next generation," which "ensures that the user experience is always connected, always personalised and always in high definition".

Xbox VP Peter Moore recently demystified that somewhat by stating: "We'll talk name. We'll show the hardware - as much as you can do in a television show." He then added: "You'll get a little glimpse of the games, but we're saving most of that for press at E3."

After the show, MTV.com will take over and supply extended coverage of the system including behind-the-scenes video, photos, and "other special extras".

Viewers outside America, meanwhile, will have to wait until tomorrow evening to catch the MTV show on TV. A full list of regional timings can be found at the bottom of this item.

The full list of regional timings for the show follows:

North America: Thursday, May 12, at 9:30 p.m. (21:30)
Japan/Asia: Friday, May 13, at 11:30
Europe: France: Friday, May 13, at 19:00
Germany: Friday, May 13, at 19:00
Italy: Friday, May 13, at 23:30
Netherlands: Friday, May 13, at 19:30
Poland: Friday, May 13, at 21:00
Portugal: Friday, May 13, at 20:00
Romania: Friday, May 13, at 20:00
Scandinavia: Friday, May 13, at 22:00
Spain: Friday, May 13, at 21:30
U.K.: Friday, May 13, at 20:00
Australia: Friday, May 13, at 19:00