Oddly enough, the initial launch is said to be a North American-based release. However, if a recent tweet from one Major Nelson, of Microsoft, is to be believed, then it looks like it could be a bit more widespread than that.

“#Kinect will launch worldwide on Nov. 4th #XboxE3”

Interesting, to say the least. We expect a worldwide launch, of course, but now we’re wondering just when that will happen. We’re hearing more and more about a worldwide launch, so we’ll have to assume that’s the story (and Microsoft’s sticking to it). As for games? There’s going to be 15 games at launch, which include things like Kinect Sports, and Kinectimals. The conference at E3 is still happening, so stay tuned.

The online portal is, of course, going to support Microsoft Kinect (formerly known as Project Natal), and you’ll also get access to over 3,500 live sporting events. Other features include instant replay (which you can activate by voice control, thanks to Kinect), and you can also access highlights on the fly. There’s HD streaming, which should make plenty of HDTV owners out there happy.

The big question for Microsoft, though, especially when they introduce a new feature such as this, is the cost. Thankfully, all you need is a Gold account for Xbox LIVE, a TV provider/ISP that supports it, and that’s it. It won’t cost you anything extra.

[images via GameTrailers]

But that doesn’t necessarily mean that every show is great. In fact, 2009 was arguably a somewhat subdued affair with few major announcements. At the time, game critics said that the big E3, and the one that would come to define the start of the next decade, would be happening in June 2010.

Well, now we’re here. And although we have a pretty good idea of what will be shown, and what will not, it’s quickly becoming clear that E3 2010 won’t be as exciting as some pundits and analysts are saying.

Will it be fun? Sure. Will it have some surprises? Of course. But it won’t be the single savior of the gaming business for the year. It will be a show that, in about a month, we’ll forget all about.

The main reason why is motion gaming.

I’ll be the first to admit that I just don’t like motion control. Although I have owned a Nintendo Wii since launch, the console has never appealed to me. Call me old school, but the way I see it, controlling on-screen action with a remote just isn’t all that exciting. It not only limits what I can do (just try playing a first-person shooter on the Wii), but it makes the game feel gimmicky. And all that fails to mention the fact that third-party developers, so far, have been unable to deliver many viable Wii experiences.

And yet, both Sony and Microsoft plan to unveil their motion-gaming devices at E3. Microsoft’s Project Natal is arguably the more interesting of the two technologies, but I just don’t see that many people caring all that much. Yes, it will be nice to control on-screen action with my body when I have a group of friends over, but I like being able to relax on the couch and just play a game. I don’t want to jump around. I like that the Xbox 360 doesn’t require me to do that.

On the Sony side, the same can be said. But I, and perhaps many gaming fans, will have a little less affection towards the PlayStation move than Natal. Move seems like another Wii experience, since it requires users to hold a wand to control on-screen action. And like Microsoft, I’m concerned that Sony will try to hype it too much, and lose sight of the value of its console.

The main redeeming quality of Natal and Move is that they aren’t required to play games on either console. In other words, there will be both standard PS3 games and Move titles. Not every game will require Move to play. That’s awfully welcome, when one considers that Nintendo requires developers to make games using the Wii Remote.

There’s little debating that motion gaming will lead the E3 charge. But given the recent decline in Wii sales and the fact that most folks just aren’t buying Wii titles that aren’t made by Nintendo, it’s not a stretch to say that, when all the hoopla subsides and we need to take an objective look at E3, we’ll find that motion gaming really isn’t as exciting as we originally thought.

But it’s not just motion. It stands to reason that with Nintendo unveiling the 3DS at the show, 3D gaming will also share some of the limelight of E3. Call me crazy, but 3D gaming seems rather gimmicky. Yes, some gamers will like to play with characters flying around their heads, but for now, save for the 3DS, reportedly, we will be required to wear glasses when trying to play. That’s not convenient. After a while, don’t you think it will get a bit old to have 3D all over the place?

And considering so few people have 3D TVs right now, there will likely be a small portion of the gaming community that will even care that developers are offering up 3D titles for their favorite consoles. It will make all the headlines for sure, but it won’t matter to most.

That’s what I fear most about E3 this year. Rather than focus on the games that players really care about, it will be headlined by motion gaming and 3D — two areas that most players probably won’t care that much about.

The announcement of major titles and brand-new consoles would make E3 exciting; some 3D games and two peripherals that we already know a lot about just aren’t going to do it.

Sorry, but don’t expect much out of E3 this year.

According to sources that the WSJ spoke to, Microsoft is planning for a very aggressive launch, and they are expecting to sell “at least” 5 million Natal units. While the sources could not verify the exact time of launch, or even the price (which is suggested to be $149.99 for the Natal unit on its own, but rumors say a bundle is coming), they did say that it’s going to be aggressive, as Microsoft wants nothing more than to make the units fly off the shelves like hot cakes.

5 million is a very large number, especially for a costly peripheral. But, considering the hope that Microsoft is putting into their upcoming motion-based gaming platform, maybe they really think that’s possible. Our question, though, is if major production isn’t supposed to kick off until 2011, how many Natal’s do they expect to sell at the outset of next year? Let us know: what’s the most you’d pay for Microsoft’s upcoming Natal?

[via Electronista]

Considering Microsoft has all but confirmed that Natal will make its retail debut in October this year, that begs the question of just what sort of scale the motion gaming hardware launch will initially see.  US pricing is apparently to be $149 for the Project Natal camera bar alone (or $299 as part of a bundle with the 360 Arcade).

One possibility is that Microsoft could launch in limited markets initially, broadening availability of Natal in 2011 when production levels ramp up accordingly.  Of course, it’s all speculation at this stage, but we should know more after E3.

Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg got some time to play around with the new hardware from Microsoft, and while they didn’t let anyone else on stage to play around with it, the fine folks over at Engadget managed to wrangle up several photos of what looks like the final build of the peripheral. Although, it does say “developer unit” on it, but we imagine that’s just a necessity. And, it probably did come from a developer, somewhere.

Our big question revolves around the color choice. While the white plastic shell is synonymous with the Xbox 360, the black Elite version is pretty common place now a days. Will there be two versions, two color schemes of the motion-based accessory? Only time will tell. Not too much longer to wait, though, thankfully.

[via Engadget]

The source also confirmed that the device’s name won’t, in fact, be called Project Natal when it finally reaches shelves, and that the official title will be among the things Microsoft announce at E3 next month.  There they’ll also outline its non-traditional gamer focus; “Microsoft expects to sell millions and millions of Natal units in its first year on the market” the source reckons, “so you can expect the software launch line-up to target non-traditional gamers.”

As for that launch, the current date is apparently pencilled in as October 26th worldwide, though that could still shift with an error margin of weeks on each side.  Microsoft have declined to comment on the leaks.

Oddly enough, we thought we already knew when the Move motion controller was going to be launched. After all, Sony officially announced the motion-based peripheral only a couple of months ago. And with it, word that a release some time in the Fall of 2010 was mentioned. At least, “slated.” Apparently though, BT Games (which is a video game outlet) just released an advertisement in their latest brochure stating that the Sony motion controller is coming in July.

No, there’s no way to confirm this at the moment, and obviously Sony isn’t going to say anything to confirm or deny it. They’ll wait until E3. But, considering that Microsoft’s Project Natal is coming in October, maybe jumping ahead a few months is the right way to go. What do you think? Project Natal or Move?

[via TechRadar]

The Project Natal camera has landed with a price at a retailer in Scandinavia. The price according to the retailer is 1499kr, which works out to about $191. We have to take this with a grain of salt for a couple reasons. One, the official Project Natal launch announcement hasn’t been made and is expected to be unveiled at E3 next month. The odds of these people having correct pricing so early is unknown.

Second, the $191 price point is a simple conversion to dollars. Anyone who is familiar with pricing in foreign countries knows that prices in the US are often cheaper than the direct conversion rates across the pond. A good example as Gizmodo points out is that a straight conversion price for many Xbox 360 games in Scandinavia puts the titles at about $80 while they sell for about $60 here in the States.

According to a “senior global publishing source,” it looks like the two main video game consoles are all set for another price drop. It hasn’t been all that long since the last one, for both systems, but both of them are going to be featuring some new hardware, so perhaps dropping the price of the console, and maybe even bundling the new stuff with the old, wouldn’t be that bad of an idea at all.

There is a chance though, amidst all the announcements for upcoming games, and handhelds, that there will be an announcement from corporate executives from each company, telling the world that their systems will be slashing their prices for the holidays. Now all we have to do is wait for some leaked images, and we’ll know that all is right with the world. No word on what those prices might be, but there’s plenty of speculation. Also, with a price cut, will that mean there will be other variations of the hardware as well? Only time will tell.

[via Tech Radar]

Video interview after the cut

The exec went on to say that Microsoft would confirm the exact date during their E3 launch of the Natal hardware, which we’re expecting to be on June 13th.  He certainly doesn’t seem to have any doubts about the release window either, saying “definitely it is going to be October 2010.”

[via Engadget]

“Natal isn’t just about gaming — it’s about all living-room experiences. Imagine a sporting event — Natal could know which team you’re for because it sees your jersey, or knows you thought a bad call was made when you yell ‘boo.’ It learns about you and gets smarter to create a more tailored entertainment experience” Marc Whitten, general manager Xbox 360 team, Microsoft

Once it can track you, Project Natal can help build up a profile of what you’re interested in (and, perhaps more importantly, what you’re not interested in).  On an Windows Media Center HTPC, for instance, the system could recognize that you follow certain sports teams, and thus pre-emptively record not only games in which they’re playing but documentaries about them or other related content.  We’re thinking of a system like TiVo’s thumbs-up/thumbs-down buttons, but based on your physical response rather than you manually having to rate things.

“If you counted the number of buttons in your living room,” Whitten reckons, “it would send a chill down your spine.”  Intuitive gestures for navigation and control seem the tip of the iceberg; still, we’ll have to wait until Project Natal gets its official premiere on June 13th to find out more.

The person in question, James Gunn, got the chance to attend Microsoft’s “The Microsoft Experience,” and while he was there, he got to peek the latest and greatest in Microsoft toys. The most notable is what he called “the new Zune.” Now, there was a new Zune HD that just got released, you know — the 64GB model. And, that could very well be what Gunn witnessed, especially considering he doesn’t give any further details. But, we’d wager that Microsoft said something along the lines of “new,” and perhaps Gunn is of the mind to know what exactly is new on the market.

Gunn also noted his time spent with Project Natal, and the fact that he also saw a new Microsoft tablet, which, apparently, is a lot like the iPad. From what we heard yesterday, we don’t know if that would be the HP Slate. Of course, he also got to see the new Microsoft phones, so that’s probably Windows Phone 7, and not the Kin One or Kin Two. This doesn’t necessarily mean that a new Zune HD, the Zune HD2, is coming, but it’s just another rumor to pile up. And we’d be willing to be that they’ll be piling up pretty quick over the next few months.

[via Zunited]

Also, we’re still expecting to hear more about Nintendo’s 3DS come this June, during E3. Until this moment, it was believed that some time in March, 2011 would peg the release of the 3DS in the United States. However, according to some executives that can’t be named, it looks like Nintendo is aiming for an October release. That would be a good move on Nintendo’s part, as it would put them in a three month advance to Christmas.

That is a full five months before the originally expected launch, and we’ve got to say that we’re a bit surprised. Not only is Nintendo expected to announce the 3DS in June at E3, but Microsoft is also scheduled to showcase their Project Natal, which is also launching this holiday season. So, will Nintendo’s glass-less mobile gaming console beat out Microsoft’s own motion-controlled gaming hardware? We’ll have to wait and see.

[via CVG]

According to the report, the individual in question was sent the Project Natal unit to test the equipment’s voice recognition. There’s no word on how that’s going, because we’re all too busy looking at the images. As you can see for yourself, we get to see what looks like a Project Natal main unit, and then some paperwork consisting of the Quick Start Guide, and an instruction manual. Good stuff to stare at, if you ask us.

What’s noteworthy, is that there is apparently a motorized tilt mechanism, one of which that users aren’t supposed to mess with, because they might break it. Interesting. Also, something we’re not all that surprised about, it seems that Project Natal will need to be plugged into the wall for power. The best part might be the speech recognition, though, as there are commands, apparently, for things like “Turn on the Xbox 360″ and “Go to Facebook.” There’s not much else to go on here, so just go ahead and take a gander at the images. That’s what we’re doing. At least until June 13th, when we’ll finally get some more official action shots.

[via Destructoid]

“It is far more likely that we will see a slim version of the Xbox 360 with a 250GB hard drive and with Project Natal bundled into the box while maintaining the $299 price point,” he continues, pegging the updated package with the new motion-tracking hardware at the same cost as the current Xbox 360 Elite 120GB.  Project Natal is due to make its official debut at E3 come June 13th 2010.

[via Tech Ticker]

“The Reference Design generates realtime depth, color and audio data of the living room scene. It works in all room lighting conditions (whether in complete darkness or in a fully lit room). It does not require the user to wear or hold anything, does not require calibration and does not require computational resources from the host’s processor” PrimeSense

Inside Project Natal – and the PrimeSensor reference design – is PrimeSense’s PS1080 SoC, with an integrated USB 2.0 controller, and takes infrared input from the standard CMOS sensor, together with audio, and processes it on-chip rather than relying on the console’s CPU.  The image analysed is VGA 640 x 480 resolution at 60fps, and according to the technical specs will track people between 0.8m and 3.5m away.

Of course there’s no telling how much modification the Xbox team made, nor how long – if at all – Microsoft have any exclusive on the PrimeSense system.  There’s also still no specific release dates, beyond the existing “holiday 2010″ window and the promise that Natal will make its world premiere on June 13th at E3 2010.

Press Release:

PrimeSense Supplies 3-D-Sensing Technology to “Project Natal” for Xbox 360

Groundbreaking optical-sensing and recognition technologies to aid gesture control platform.

REDMOND, Wash., and TEL AVIV, Israel — March 31, 2010 — Microsoft Corp. and PrimeSense™, the leader in 3-D-sensing and recognition technologies, announced today that PrimeSense will be providing its leading-edge 3-D-sensing technology for use in “Project Natal” for Xbox 360.

“We’ve seen tremendous excitement and anticipation for the arrival of ‘Project Natal’ this holiday,” said Ilan Spillinger, vice president of Xbox 360 hardware. “PrimeSense has delivered an important component to the technology, helping us deliver revolutionary controller-free entertainment experiences in the living room.”

“PrimeSense’s technology enables a paradigm shift in the way people interact with consumer electronic devices. The engagement with Xbox 360 establishes PrimeSense’s position as a leading supplier of 3-D-sensing technology,” said Inon Beracha, chief executive officer, PrimeSense. “We are especially honored to have a partner like Microsoft that shares our vision for bringing innovative and engaging natural experiences to consumers.”

“Xbox 360 Hardware Engineering teams developed the ‘Project Natal’ sensor based on the PrimeSensor™ reference design to support the special requirements of ‘Project Natal,’” said Aviad Maizels, president and founder, PrimeSense.

Microsoft recently announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas that “Project Natal” will be available during holiday 2010.

About PrimeSense

PrimeSense is the leader in sensing and recognition technologies enabling consumer devices to “see” environments and allow users to control and interact naturally with those devices in a simple and intuitive way. PrimeSense offers affordable solutions for consumer markets including visual/home computing, interactive entertainment and consumer electronics. PrimeSense products include the PS1080 System on Chip and PrimeSensor reference design, plus cross-platform enabling software to make application development easy and intuitive.

Headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel, with offices in North America, Japan and Taiwan, PrimeSense is a privately held company. For more information, please visit: www.primesense.com.

About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is a premier video game and entertainment system. It is home to the best and broadest library of games, a streaming library of thousands of movies and TV shows in 1080p HD, and millions of songs connected to the television. The digital center of the living room, Xbox 360 blends unbeatable content with the largest online social network connected to the television in the 23 million members on Xbox LIVE to create a limitless entertainment experience that can be shared at home or across the globe. With the addition of currently code-named “Project Natal” for Xbox 360, Microsoft will forever transform social gaming and entertainment with a whole new way to play — no controller required. More information about “Project Natal” and Xbox 360 can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/projectnatal and http://www.xbox.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

“Nintendo should welcome the opportunity when or where something we have originally tried is intensified by somebody else, because that means that other people are trying to starting to show their appreciation for whatever endeavour we have made in the beginning. The user experience we have created is going to be intensified by the advent of new machines from other companies. It’s a new experience that we originated. So we really see it as a great honour” Shigeru Miyamoto

Speaking to CVG, Miyamoto highlighted MotionPlus as an example of Nintendo taking their own innovation and developing it over time, but insisted that the company’s motivation is always thinking ahead.  Nintendo’s “mission”, he claims, is always to create “unique and unprecedented entertainment” rather than compete directly with rivals.

“It needs to be something very different, something unique. That’s something we always look for. Of course, sometimes we need to intensify the forms we have already come up with, but that’s not the first priority for us. Competing with other companies in that category is never our top priority”

[via T3]

Project Natal uses a sensor and camera packed Xbox 360 accessory to track movement in 3D space.  Unlike Nintendo’s Wii or Sony’s Playstation Move systems, it requires no controller be held, using microphones, depth sensors, an RGB camera and custom processor instead; Microsoft also expect the system to have uses when hooked up to Windows PCs.

So far, all Microsoft have committed to is a launch in time for the Holiday 2010 period, so E3 2010 will hopefully give more detail on that.  Recently a new Xbox 360 motherboard design was apparently leaked, leading to suggestions that Natal would launch alongside a new, slimmed-down version of the console.

[via Gamertag Radio]

AT&T’s Dell Aero Follows Backflip, Says No to Unsigned Apps: Part of the greatness that is Android, is the fact that if you want, you can download as many applications as you want. Doesn’t mean you need to get them from the Android Market, either. Just find the application that you want, download the .apk file, and you’re good to go. (Well, as long as you have the appropriate settings activated on your phone.) But, as AT&T did with the Backflip, it looks like the Dell Aero is going to fall in the same step: no unsigned applications allowed. Which, while it doesn’t necessarily cripple your device, it does take away a big chunk of the features. Not that everyone is using it, but it’s like taking the liver out of the little Android. And that’s just not right. [via PhoneNews]

The Binary Flow: Makes Knowing What Time it is Not Worth it: The whole point of a watch, at least we were told when we were shopping for watches, was to know what time it is. Apparently, the creator of this watch — the Binary Flow — doesn’t care about all of that. In fact, it seems that they want you to suffer to know what time it is. Sure, their blog says that the whole thing is “simple to read,” but let’s be honest here — this is a test in patience. And, we don’t think anyone will win. Head on over to the link and look at the chart, and see if you can figure it out for yourself. But hey, if you get this watch, it’s pretty much the best way to get out of telling people what time it is, right? [via DVICE]

Microsoft’s Project Natal Will Adapt to Your Room, Might Adapt to You: The big talk on the block is motion-based gameplay. Yeah, it’s awesome. Like 3D TV. Yeah, Walmart is probably going to sell this thing, too. But, with some talk earlier in the week, it sounded like the new hardware from Microsoft wasn’t going to be able to be played in “normal people’s rooms.” Basically, it was sounding like the system needed 4 metres to play. That’s a big space. And, well, not like many living rooms in places like Great Britain, or Japan. So, Microsoft finally commented on the whole ordeal, and detailed that the system will actually adapt to your room. Any room that you’re in. That’s a pretty advanced system, and we can’t wait to get our own hands-on time with the hardware. [via CNET UK]

Inductive Heat Could Warm Up Your Pots While You’re Camping: We love ways to make our lives easier, while we’re camping. After all, who wants to go all rugged while they’re in the great outdoors anymore, right? Thankfully, we’ve got things like SolarFans to charge our phones, and WrapStove to heat all our pots in an easy, really cool way. While we’ve seen inductive charging for cell phones before, this thing uses inductive heat, and magnets placed in the sleeve so that it attaches itself to the pot in question. Really simple to use, and really easy to heat what you need to be heated, all quick like. It’s just a concept right now, but we’re hoping this gets launched sooner than later. [via Yanko Design]

Vibrations in the Air Could Keep Your Watch Charged, Long After You Aren’t: We love new, interesting, and absolutely out of this world ways to do anything, and charging batteries definitely falls into that category. We’d like to draw your attention now to the coolest thing we’ve heard all day, other than a certain scooter: Parametric Frequency Increased Generators (PFIGs). These things actually use the ambient vibrations in the atmosphere to charge devices, such as your wristwatch. The generators bring in about 500 microwatts, pulling energy from the vibration of the human body. Which is more than enough for the 10 microwatts that a watch needs, and even a pacemaker, which needs anywhere between 10 and 50 microwatts. Welcome to the future! [via TG Daily]

TiVo Premiere Gets Reviewed, Generally Accepted: The new TiVo is just around the corner, and it looks like the reviews for the reintroduced, new stylized gadget have begun to make the rounds. And, while it may be generally accepted for the purpose it’s supposed to serve, it can apparently be pretty slow, in the awful sort of way. And, when it gets slow, it gets ugly, and that’s never good for a service that’s basically served up by a constant stream of aesthetics and User Interface elements. We definitely suggest the reviews, especially if you’re looking at getting the new version of TiVo, which is coming on the 28th of this month, for about $300. [via Gizmodo]

Alienware M11x Gets Reviewed, Has More Power in a Small Shell: There’s nothing like a new laptop to review. Actually, to be accurate, there’s nothing like getting a new piece of tech to review in general. Oh, and we love to unbox them, too. Luckily for the Alienware M11x, the laptop of choice this time around is a great piece of tech to review. To cut to the chase, even though we still recommend you read the full review, the entire system is all power, in a small package, and definitely worth the money. If you’re looking for a powerful gaming laptop, it looks like this might be the system for you. [via LaptopMag]

The Valhalla redesign is one of those rumors that won’t go away, and it doesn’t help when an image like this surfaces. So, what is Valhalla? It’s a new design that allows for the GPU and CPU to be on one chip, and therefore take less power and energy to cool and function. It will also reduce the cost of manufacturing, along with make the box a lot quieter while it’s running. The image is from China, where apparently the mainboard is being tested.

But, that’s not all. The rumor goes that this isn’t just a redesign of the motherboard. And the story isn’t about the combination of the GPU and CPU, either. The Valhalla redesign is apparently prompting Microsoft to redesign the console itself. From what we can tell, this means that the Xbox 360 might be getting . . . Slimmer. Similar to the PlayStation 3, perhaps. That means buying a new Xbox 360, if it comes down to it. And while revamping the console in time with releasing Project Natal makes sense to some, we can only hope that Microsoft does a pretty nice bundle, if that is indeed the case. Anyone going to start saving up?

[Microsoft Xbox 360 Valhalla Redesign Pictured is written by Evan Selleck & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved. ]]> http://www.slashgear.com/microsoft-xbox-360-valhalla-redesign-pictured-1778087/feed/ 0 http://www.slashgear.com/microsoft%e2%80%99s-mobile-surface-in-the-works-video-0176240/ http://www.slashgear.com/microsoft%e2%80%99s-mobile-surface-in-the-works-video-0176240/#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:05:46 +0000 Paul Fang http://www.slashgear.com/?p=76240 Read The Full Story]]> Microsoft’s multi-touch Surface technology has garnered much attention since its preliminary release in 2008, but was called to be too cumbersome and pricey by some.  The tech giant has a new interaction project in the works, and what apparently seems to be a revamped mobile version of its tabletop-only Surface.

The aptly dubbed “Mobile Surface” links a mobile phone to a camera system and projector, allowing users to interact with a screen projected onto a tabletop by moving their hands in the air above it, interacting with the image.  An interesting video demo featuring drums via Techflash shows how it may work.

Besides this, their work also includes how to get 3D object model in real-time, augmented reality and multiple-layer 3D information presentation, With this, Microsoft seems to demonstrate its clear interest in next-gen interactive user interfaces, along with Natal scheduled for an end of the year release.

That contrasts with Microsoft’s own “in time for Holiday 2010” launch window, and as you might expect the company are not updating that estimate.  ”There have been no further announcements” said a Microsoft spokesperson.

As for Natal’s performance, MTV took along a stopwatch to a Natal demo day and came up with a 0.1 second average delay in its responses; that’s enough to introduce some lag into your gaming.  However, it’s also pretty much to be expected from a home peripheral, and there’s talk that future driver updates could tweak performance to improve matters.

[via Kotaku and via MCV]

According to DigiTimes, Pegatron have been granted the manufacturing contract for the Project Natal controller that will eventually sit on store shelves.  They’ll apparently begin production later in 2010.

Project Natal uses an RGB camera, depth sensor, multi-array microphone and custom processor, which together can not only track gamer movement in 3D space but respond to verbal commands, too.  We’ve no specific release date at present, but Microsoft have confirmed that it will arrive in the holiday 2010 window.

[via Siliconera]

Sony integrated motion control into the original PS3 controllers, but it was far from as cool as what Nintendo offered. Microsoft has its Project Natal control system coming this holiday season. The project Natal tech uses a camera to sense what the player is doing allowing control without actually having to use a controller.

A new rumor is surfacing from a “highly-placed insider” that claims the tech behind Microsoft’s Project Natal was first pitched to Nintendo in an early form back in 2007. Nintendo turned the tech down. After refining the tech, Microsoft purchased it. The original form of the tech Nintendo passed on was said to be too expensive and lag-prone for Nintendo to consider.

Using motion-sensing cameras, sensors and software, Natal will let gamers utilize their body movements and gestures to control games and applications. It will work on all existing Xbox 360s, but Bach did not reveal any pricing information, though the add-on is expected to cost less than $100.

Bach also revealed a new Xbox service called Game Room, which hopes to offer some 1,000 games over the next three years, adding multiple games each week. With it, over the Xbox Live network as well as PC, gamers will be able to compete against their friends on both platforms.



Details on the launch of Project Natal have hit the internet reportedly gleaned from private Microsoft meetings. If the leaked information is accurate, Project Natal will hit store shelves in November 2010. Microsoft is reportedly touring major design studios with Project Natal in tow to spur game development.

Along with a supposed launch date, the pricing for the device has been leaked as well. Two different price points are being rumored with one rumor pointing to a price of about £50 and other rumors pointing to a launch price of £80. Microsoft is said to be looking to price the accessory as an impulse purchase.

Microsoft initially demonstrated Project Natal with Burnout Paradise, and more recently showed Space Invaders Extreme and Beautiful Katamari working with the new controller.  Destructoid’s Nick Chester asked Tsunoda how straightforward backward compatibility would be to implement, but was told that “it’s not likely” to happen.

Project Natal uses a new sensor bar – complete with cameras and motion sensors – to track gamer position and gestures in what Microsoft say is a far more accurate way than currently possible with Nintendo’s Wii.  While an official release date is still unknown, the peripheral is tipped to arrive in late 2010.

[via Register Hardware]

The apparent confirmation comes a week after hardware supplier leaks dated the motion-tracking gaming system to the same six-month launch period in the latter-half of next year.  Then, Aptina were tipped to exclusively provide the 1.3-megapixel image sensors used as part of Project Natal’s hardware; the rumors also suggested that the system would be part of a new Xbox platform, rather than merely a peripheral.

On that, Farrell had nothing to say, and Microsoft have distanced themselves from such speculation.  Steve Ballmer, company CEO, was quoted – and subsequently corrected – as saying the “new Xbox 360″ would be on shelves in 2010 in an interview last month.

Microsoft Project Natal demonstration:

[Thanks Toby!]

That would certainly fit in with Microsoft’s public timescale, which said that the commercial system based on the Project Natal technology wouldn’t arrive until next year at the earliest.  DigiTimes lump the motion-tracking system in with a new Xbox 360, though Microsoft have repeatedly claimed that it would be a companion device compatible with all Xbox 360 consoles.

Project Natal uses an array of sensors and cameras to track user motion in 3D, controlling gameplay without requiring a physical controller to be held.  More recently, Bill Gates has suggested that the same technology will have applications for HTPC and office environments.

“[Project Natal is] for media consumption as a whole, and even if they connect it up to Windows PCs for interacting in terms of meetings, and collaboration, and communication” Bill Gates,

In fact, based on ongoing price reductions, Gates envisages hardware based on Project Natal to be in “most office environments” at some point in the future.  He held off from describing specific usage applications, but given Natal uses video recognition we’re assuming obvious areas of focus might include collaborative prototype interaction, augmented reality systems where users are identified while on video calls, and general controlling of PCs with gestures.

Natal uses an RGB camera, depth sensor, multi-array microphone and custom processor all in one compact bar, which can track gamers’ movements in 3D space as well as respond to verbal commands.  Unlike the Wii, it requires no controller; Microsoft have not revealed when the device will see a commercial launch.

[via Engadget]

Update: Video after the cut

Unlike rival systems, Natal can track full 3D movement rather than 2D, and requires no controller to be held (as the Wii demands).  It relies on proprietary recognition software rather than simple light tracking, allowing it to log into an Xbox LIVE account through facial recognition as well as tracking several limbs independently.

Similarly, the voice recognition apparently has some degree of comprehension, rather than just picking out key-words.  It can even discriminate intonation and emotion.  Unfortunately Microsoft don’t intend Natal to reach the market anytime in 2009 

Press Release:

“Project Natal”: No Strings (or Controllers) Attached

Unveiled for the first time to the public was “Project Natal,” pronounced “nuh-tall” and a code name for a revolutionary new way to play, no controller required. See a ball? Kick it, hit it, trap it or catch it. If you know how to move your hands, shake your hips or speak, you and your friends can jump into the fun. The only experience needed is life experience.

Compatible with any Xbox 360 system, the “Project Natal” sensor is the world’s first to combine an RGB camera, depth sensor, multi-array microphone and custom processor running proprietary software all in one device. Unlike 2-D cameras and controllers, “Project Natal” tracks your full body movement in 3-D, while responding to commands, directions and even a shift of emotion in your voice.

In addition, unlike other devices, the “Project Natal” sensor is not light-dependent. It can recognize you just by looking at your face, and it doesn’t just react to key words but understands what you’re saying. Call a play in a football game, and players will actually respond. Want to log onto Xbox LIVE? Simply step in front of the sensor.

“The next step in interactive entertainment is to make the controller disappear,” said Steven Spielberg, visionary director and producer. “With ‘Project Natal,’ we’ll see games that bring everyone together through technology that actually recognizes us.”