Hardware
Microsoft’s Project Natal to be called Kinect, game titles announced
USA TODAY reports that Microsoft is set to pull the dropcloth off of Project Natal at the Electronic Entertainment Expo this week, but don’t call it that anymore: the new name is Kinect. It’s like “connect”, get it? Except it’s touchless, so you won’t physically connect with anything, and it’s got nothing to do with their Kin phones.
As you should recall, the project formerly known as “Natal” is Microsoft’s venture into motion controlled gaming. But instead of using a game controller like the Nintendo Wii, the system recognizes body movement as well as your face and voice for control. Not only does the experience promise to be easier for non-gamers to pick up, but you won’t have to worry about losing a game controller again. A number of games, including the obligatory sports and dance games, will be announced at E3.
In addition to the game stuff, Kinect brings a new level of natural user interface to the living room computing environment. Instead of figuring out the buttons on a remote control, gestures and voice control could be the tools to tell your XBox media center what to do. Only a matter of time before some of that seeps into home PC control and then maybe, possibly, hopefully voice can take center stage in mobile control.
Via Engadget
Ben
06/13/2010 at 8:34 pm
Wow… what an underwhelming name. Why not just call it “Natal” like everyone has been doing for about a year? MS, I like you, but you suck at naming things.
GoodThings2Life
06/14/2010 at 3:24 am
Well I agree they need to learn how to name things. But it’s certainly cool technology and it does show that Microsoft is capable of innovating and creating excellent tech. I just hope game makers put it to good use and don’t just use it as a gimmick.
Nameless
06/16/2010 at 7:08 pm
It’s the PS2 EyeToy all over again! What makes Natal/Kinect different, platform aside?
It might be interesting to play with, but I’d only begin to consider it if it’ll be supported on Windows. I’m wondering what a camera like this can do for general PC usage.