Could the Xbox 360 be getting a technical refresh on its CPUs, again? As it stands, the 360 has proven itself to be the console Microsoft has been most willing (begrudgingly or not) to alter the hardware specs on as time goes on, whether to solve issues such as overheating or to reduce cost over time. And, we already know they have plans to roll out 65nm CPUs for the console shortly.
That's why this latest rumor about a 45nm CPU transition makes a lot of sense. Especially since they have been footing the bill for overheat repairs and swallowed over $1 Billion for the warranty boost, using even small silicon could only benefit them.
I doubt they would find their way to a shelf within a year, and the article mentions manufacturing beginning as far as 2009, but Microsoft is very comitted to keeping the console around for a long time.