Is there any word yet about it or is it still in the Dark?

There has been word of it AGES ago, it was announced, about a year and a half after the release of TS3 that TS4 is under graphic development, that they're developing the graphic engine of the game, hopefully it is not the failwhale of TS3 and attempts to support old systems from 1894. It will solely just work with the systems of today. So I'm assuming that is what they're doing.

In a few years time when everyone has a new computer. The Sims 3 will run so smooth like The Sims 1 nowadays. Hopefully.

I just want to see Maxis make Sims 4 again.

If you look at the timeline of Sims releases, there was about 4-1/2 years between TS1 and TS2, and again between TS2 and TS3. This leads me to think -- no proof, admittedly -- that TS4 might come out around the end of 2013. I sooooo hope for a better graphics look than the fuglies of TS3, and also hope we can turn all social aspects (Facebook etc., not the Sims themselves being chummy) OFF.

Personally, I think we will see news of Sims 4 at the end of 2013 for a 2014 release... I know it's a lot longer then the other games but EA (not Maxis) is really trying to milk this teet.

It might be too much to expect SimCity and Sims 4 to both come out in 2013 though...

I wouldn't be surprised if EA milked the Sims 3 far longer than previous games in the series.

I think the first rumours will be starting up around the beginning of next year, the actual game will be announced at E3 in 2013 and we'll get a 2014 release for TS4. I highly doubt it'll be released next year because there are still so many expansion and stuff pack ideas, and if EA can tool around with crap like they've been giving us lately, they must have plenty of time to work on stuff like seasons and (hopefully) university/businesses.

This is true. EA has yet to vomit up these expansion packs for us:

Kardashian Plastic Surgery
Cooking with Lady Gaga
At Home with Pitbull
Travel the World with Angie & Brad
Biebermania