Hmmm, well for me the big selling point is going to be backwards compadibility. I have so many games, especially on the Sony side, that removing backwards compadibility was a big deal when it came to the PS-3 and as such I'm pretty much stuck with a 60GB console and the constant fear of when it will die. I see no real reason why consoles can't be backwards compadibile, especially with what I'm paying for the bloody things. Sure, most companies claim they take a loss on the hardware and "make it back on games", but well I feel they simply aren't taking a big enough loss here, especially seeing as they should feel obligated by all the others games I've purchused and the money they made. I see no good reason not to include this.
Otherwise, while competitors I'd like to see all of the various companies form some kind of an alliance for a universal online system or something, even if they compete in terms of system exclusives or whatever. It would be nice to see all of your data from various games compiled in one place, a single store system with sections for the differant companies, and similar things.
Oh sure, it's not likely to happen, but that's still what I'd like to see.
As things stand now, I think people are getting a bit far ahead of themselves in thinking there will be a new console generation for a while. Not just because of the economy or whatever, but simply because I see no real technological strides that would require it. As it is, the current gaming generation doesn't look THAT much better than the previous one, which causes all kinds of arguements when people claim that a new game looks a generation or so old.
Besides I'm desperatly hoping that when 2012 arrives the "doomsday" will simply be the return of space aliens who will uplift technology, and give unto us a whole new level of video gaming along with other things. Then peace will reign, the world will finally be more interesting and less developing, and the gaming shall be awesome.
