This has nothing do with cynical George Lucas-style profit maximization. It's a simple fact of technological progress. Since consoles are typically designed f

This has nothing do with cynical George Lucas-style profit maximization. It's a simple fact of technological progress. Since consoles are typically designed for a 5-10 year lifespan, the technology involved inevitably shrinks over that period and enables a smaller and more efficient package. As a comparison, I don't think Sony originally sold us giant boomboxes just so they could "get us again" when they came out with the Walkman.