Supply chain sources speaking with ) say related orders are currently being shipped in small volumes before a ramp-up is expected in Q3 to prepare for a demand surge in Q4.

A number of companies are listed as component-makers in the report, including Lite-On Technology and Delta Electronics (power supply), Lite-On IT (optical disc drive), Asia Optical and Newmax (sensing lens), Foxlink (connectors), and Jentech Precision Industrial (cooling modules).

The sources said the next-generation Xbox orders are expected to "strongly boost" business for the above-mentioned component-makers in the second half of the year as development ramps up.

Lastly, Foxconn Electronics is reportedly conducting assembly of the next-generation Xbox. It is one of the world's largest electronics manufacturers and despite , assembles products for major companies like Apple, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, and Dell, among others.

reports that three Chinese employees at Foxconn died in recent weeks from what appeared to be suicides. A statement from the company said none of the deaths were work-related and that they occurred outside of the company's factories.

Microsoft will share its vision for the future of games and entertainment during its high-profile next-generation event today, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. PDT. This includes first looks at .

From: www.gamespot.com

"Big announcements are coming soon!" the reads.

No specific mention of the Xbox reveal event was made, but Microsoft and EA are that will see certain EA content released first on the next Xbox before launching on other platforms.

In addition, Microsoft's director of Xbox Live programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb today .

GameSpot will be in attendance at the Xbox 720 event, during which Microsoft will share its vision for the future of games and entertainment. This includes first looks at .

From: www.gamespot.com