From the shadows we received some additional info on the upcoming Microsoft wireless N adapter for the Xbox 360. According to the latest we are hearing, the N adapter will not replace the older model, but will be sold in addition to the older model.

The bigger whispers that we hear is that the N adapter will sell for $99 USD retail, while as we told you previously the older G model will be slashed to $79.99 USD. Most will continue to complain that the prices are still too high for a wireless adapter; the slashing of the G adapter pricing is a step in the right direction.

A lot of people are asking us why Microsoft is in such a hurry to get the N adapter out for the Xbox 360; and the fact of the matter is that the need for speed has more to do with the ability to seamlessly stream 1080 video content than it does with Microsoft wanting to be on the cutting edge. When the Zune video store arrives later this year, our sources tell us that the need for more speed to be able to stream 1080 content will become more apparent.

Maybe the best news that our shadow lurker shared with us is that if things go well, we might actually see the N adapter arrive a bit sooner than expected. The timing of the release of the N adapter will be very close to the same time that the next dashboard update arrives, from what we are hearing. Microsoft would like to time the release of the N adapter to be on store shelves right when the update drops to be able to offer additional speed to those that need it. Still, you will have to upgrade your wireless router or access point to one that offers N support, but Microsoft seems to think that plenty of choices will exist by the time that the new N adapter arrives.