Project Natal: November 2010 Launch?

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Good news, gamers. We might finally know the rough launch date of Microsoft's paradigm shifting Project Natal camera. MCV claims that sources close to the matter have released to them that Project Natal is currently set for a November 2010 launch. This all came out after a Microsoft tour of several UK publishers. Apparently Microsoft has been showing off their new hands-free camera and letting developers in on their timeline.

Microsoft is planning to have 5 million units made and ready for first day release. These units will be a mix of solo cameras, and cameras bundled with the Xbox 360 console. When sold alone, the camera is expected to sell for just £50. Some sources claim that the price will be set even lower, as Microsoft wants Natal to be something people pick up as an 'impulse' purchase. This could mean US prices of well under $100.

Posted on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:27:01 CST | by Robert Evans

Chinese Company Already Shows Microsoft Natal Like Controller at Gamescom

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Chinese electronics makers turn up the heat on the current market leaders in the West and in Asia. The times are over where the big guys can delay releases or mess up a product launch. Take Chinese company Digiwinner. According to German magazine Heise the Chinese game accessory maker showed a low-cost 3D camera that can track 15 objects in a distance of 5 meters.
The Digiwinner Eagle Eyes (Eagleyes) camera is supposed to be able to retail for around $60. Read more

Posted on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:00:40 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Project Natal: The Savior of Gaming?

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For the last few months, the gaming industry has seemed to be almost recession proof. Aside from a minor drop in March, the success of the Wii console and the DS/DSi have managed to keep profits up for Nintendo. The recession has actually been a boon to the industry in some ways. MMORPGs and other online games are, dollar for dollar, a better budget entertainment option than going to the movies.

Today, however, it seems the times have finally caught up with gaming. The NPD Group has just released a study that shows us a gaming industry in near freefall. Year over year U.S sales in June are down 29%, and console sales dropped 38% over the same period. Even Nintendo is feeling the sting, as Wii sales slow more and more the further we get from E3.

Posted on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:30:00 CDT | by Robert Evans

Xbox 360 With Built-In Natal Coming?

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We know a little more about Microsoft's upcoming Project Natal system today. It's just been announced that Aptina has won the contract to supply 1.3 MP CMOS image sensors for the next version of the Xbox. The wording of the article makes it sound like this new 360 will come with a Project Natal built into it.

Posted on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:15:00 CDT | by Robert Evans

Bill Gates: Project Natal Coming To Windows, Too.

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Here's some big news about Project Natal. Although the motion-capturing camera was initially developed for use with the Xbox 360 gaming console, it appears that other divisions in Microsoft have found a use for it as well. No less reputable a source than Bill Gates himself told Cnet that,

“...I think there's incredible value as we use that in the office connected to a Windows PC. So Microsoft research and the product groups have a lot going on there, because you can use the cost reduction that will take place over the years to say, why shouldn't that be in most office environments."

Posted on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:15:00 CDT | by Robert Evans

Project Natal Predicted For Under $50

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The launch of Microsoft's Project Natal will be preceded with the 'boom' of a shattering paradigm. Natal will give gamers the ability to do away with peripheral devices altogether, as motion capture technology finally lets us use our bodies as the only controller we need. It also has a chance to revolutionize home entertainment by allowing couch potatoes the world over to be even lazier than they already are.

Of course, for Project Natal to become the 'killer app' it was born to be, it'll have to work as promised and sell faster than sin. Microsoft seems to have the whole product put together pretty well from what the testers at E3 said, which means their big concern needs to be selling Natal. It won't be enough to launch it like a peripheral and make a few bucks. Microsoft wants a Natal in every single household that has a 360.

Posted on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:50:00 CDT | by Robert Evans

Project Natal To Hit With Halo Reach, August 2010?

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Halo is probably the signature Xbox series, as well as one of the most popular video game series of all time. On September 22nd the next installment in the franchise, Halo 3: ODST will hit stores. Barring miracles or magic, there's no way we'll see Natal come out in time for Halo 3. But the next Halo game in the line-up, Halo: Reach, is scheduled for August of 2010, and it looks like we can expect to see it released as a Natal game.

This isn't just idle fan speculation either. Bungie has announced that they are looking at the possibility of making Reach work with Natal. At E3 this year Bungie attended a super-secret Project Natal briefing, and they emerged impressed with the technology. Bungie President Harold Ryan has even said that,

Posted on Wed, 1 Jul 2009 10:55:00 CDT | by Robert Evans

Project Natal Launching in September?

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The launch title for Project Natal may have just been announced! 'Gamer', based on the upcoming motion picture of the same name, could be the first video game to make use of Microsoft's new motion capture gaming system. 'Gamer', the movie, will be about a futuristic multiplayer game where players control other human beings in vicious deathmatch-style tournaments. Honestly, it sounds like the perfect title to break Natal in with.

We still don't have an actual product name or release date for Project Natal, but this news does give us some big hints. For one thing, the film is scheduled for a September 4, 2009 release. It stands to reason that the game will be released relatively close to the film, which means Natal will be released then as well.

Posted on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:16:40 CDT | by Robert Evans

Project Natal Hands-On Video Out

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The boys at Engadget became the objects of jealous rage across the tech community today when they posted up a video and a lengthy report about their hands-on demo with project Natal. While Microsoft wouldn't let them show any pictures of the prototype motion sensor they did give Engadget a chance to play a few games on the new device.

Based on their first impressions, we can confirm that the Natal works almost as well as Microsoft's hype-filled video demos lead us to believe. Engadget said that the Natal's ability to create an avatar that follows your exact motions was 'more than a little eerie'. They didn't get to check out the new gadget's ability to scan-in real world items, but at least we have confirmation that Microsoft's new baby is the best motion capture device out there.

Posted on Wed, 3 Jun 2009 13:40:00 CDT | by Robert Evans

Microsoft's Project Natal: Visionary or Vaporware?

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If E3 is all about generating 'buzz', then Microsoft is the clear winner this year. In the few days since its announcement Project Natal has generated more hype than any announcement the console gaming industry has seen in years. It's not hard to see why; the technology Microsoft promised us is far beyond anything we've ever seen. Plus, it's been a while since the last major console was announced.

I'm as excited about Natal's potential as everyone else, but I'm also feeling pretty skeptical at the moment. Now that the excitement of Microsoft's star-studded blockbuster E3 conference has faded it's possible to look at Project Natal a bit more rationally. Microsoft has promised us the moon, but can they deliver it?

Posted on Wed, 3 Jun 2009 10:15:00 CDT | by Robert Evans

Project Natal + Sony Motion Controller + HMD = Johnny Mnemonic Cyberspace

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I was into Cyberspace and Virtual Reality back in the late Eighties and early Nineties. William Gibson Cyberpunk books described the future of interacting with computers how I thought it should be.
In 1995 William Gibson's Johnny Mnemonic got released as movie starring Keanu Reeves. The Cyberspace UI was ok depicted in the movie, of course your own imagination is always better. After working in the 3D and Virtual Reality field I totally got frustrated with it as the interaction possibilities in 3D just plain sucked. Read more

Posted on Wed, 3 Jun 2009 06:35:02 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Project Natal: The Future of...Everything?

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If any company knows how to do spectacle, it's Microsoft. Their huge E3 extravaganza was a star-studded media event of epic proportions. And yet, all of the stars and video games were outshone by one revolutionary new product with a very peculiar name; Project Natal.

Natal is Microsoft's long-awaited motion sensor, their response to the Wii's long-held domination of this generation of consoles. After seeing the demo videos, I can guarantee you that Nintendo is feeling a little less secure in its flagship product. To say Microsoft's demonstration of the Natal's abilities was impressive doesn't come close to describing it. What they have is a product with the potential to revolutionize not only every aspect of gaming, but of your daily life as well.

Posted on Tue, 2 Jun 2009 11:00:00 CDT | by Robert Evans

Project Natal unveiled as Microsoft Xbox Motion Controller

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Microsoft unveiled Project Natal at the E3 2009. Project Natal is the rumored Xbox fluid motion controller system. Microsoft Project Natal is actually much more than a Motion Controller, it is complete controller free gaming.
The Project Natal, pronounced 'nuh-tall' 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 3D, while responding to commands, directions and even a shift of emotion in your voice. Read more

Posted on Tue, 2 Jun 2009 00:35:38 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Gold Medalist Natalie Coughlin Launches Signature Series with H2O Audio

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Olympic Gold Medalist Natalie Coughlin and H20 audio have announced A signature series of swimming products. H20 Audio makes a lot of high performance waterproof and ruggedized sports accessories, today it announced that Natalie Coughlin would be an advisor for a line of swim related products.

The first product is the iSH2 integrated waterproof headset and case for the iPod Shuffle 2. "I am passionate about swimming and thrilled to have the opportunity to help people throughout the swimming community experience the fun of listening to quality music while enjoying a swim or participating in other water sports," said Natalie Coughlin, Olympic athlete and H2O Audio Swimming Products Advisor. "I feel a tremendous synergy with H2O Audio and look forward to helping them create the next generation of audio swim products that will truly help transform swimming for all athletes and enthusiasts." Read more

Posted on Mon, 22 Oct 2007 12:06:39 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Baby IQ - Prenatal Communicator Gadget

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Korean Daeyang E&C will besides the MC Square stress management gagdet also introduce the Baby iQ plus Prenatal Communicator System in the United States.

This Baby Bottle shaped gadget has various functions to get in touch with your unborn baby. The Baby IQ plus for instance amplifies the prenatal sound of the developing baby's kicks and hiccups, and the sound of the heartbeat. It uses for that a so called sound collector in the shape of a Baby bottle cap.
You can also talk to the baby and play music for it through this Baby iQ plus. Read more

Posted on Tue, 25 Oct 2005 07:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr