Bill Gates: Natal for Windows coming to an office near you
By Thomas Ricker 
posted July 15th 2009 4:58AM
posted July 15th 2009 4:58AM
The idea of bending over to pick up a virtual tennis racket in front of that 50-inch flat screen in our living room makes perfect sense to us. In fact, we can't wait to see Natal come to the Xbox platform. However, the idea of manipulating an excel spreadsheet on a 15-inch screen within a 5 x 5-foot cubicle sounds daunting, to say the least. Fortunately, Microsoft's plans to integrate Natal into corporate Windows environments appears rather sober, albeit, entirely lacking in specifics. In an interview with CNET news, Bill Gates says that Natal's depth-sensing camera won't be limited to gaming use, "but 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." Without going into detail, the Microsoft Chairman adds that use of the technology in the office, "is getting much more concrete, and is pretty exciting." In fact, Bill sees it delivering "incredible value" when used within cubicle farms. Perhaps. We certainly won't argue the value of Natal for gaming or even manipulating content in a home theater setup like we've seen with Toshiba's Spatial Motion Interface, but for the office, incredible value... really?
"Oh wow, cardiovascular routines at work, and then at home."
I saw what you describe in a movie - a two-way, interactive flat screen with motion detection - the title of the film is Nineteen Eighty Four.
This is cool. I look forward to manually getting rid of viruses by running in place or throwing punches. But seriously, I might boot camp Windows for this. Very cool. Judging from the 360, MS is not too bad at integrated software and hardware. Too bad they sell their OS to be installed on POS hardware 80% of the time.
Personally I can't wait for this to be realised, so many of my customers are disabled or have limited mobility which makes using PC's and consoles difficult without specialist equipment.
Without exception every one I speak to is blown away by the possibilty that they too could play a game or use a PC via an interface that could make their various disadvantages matter a little bit less.
Bring it on!
Since we don't know the full spec / capability of Natal its difficult to know what it could do. But as a guess, since it seems to have face recognition, user authentication. Since it knows depth and can possibly do a brief lo res scan of a document / object, you could enhance search so it would remind you where you put the object / document in your cube.
Why do so many people want "Minority Report"-like controls? Why do you think the mouse was invented? Because it enables maximum productivity with minimal effort.
Yes, you are right.
A "minority report" like control was used a decade ago in some ATC, then later abandoned because is way more easy to control using a keyboard and mouse.
You're right, screw new ideas because innovation is for loosers. /sarcasm
I find your logic to be flawed. Perhaps you should evaluate your post and try again.
Which part?
I will agree that it may not catch on for use on the pc, but natal is being released mainly as a device for the xbox 360, and it WILL make it to the market.
If its anything like the current xbox 360 cam, it will be compatible with the PC.
you wish.
but technically speaking, while natal is possible but for a hefty price.
2 cameras and a stereo mic, not pricey
http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/03/project-natal-video-hands-on-impressions-and-further-details/
The main problem that WILL happen when Natal is released, is that companies will saturate the market with garbage games for it.
On the bright side, once the hackers and Maker Fair guys get a hold of this thing and hack it.........total epicness.
Perhaps this implies that Microsoft is looking for ways to salvage a technology that is proving to be too expensive for consumer use?
As a health prof. I am excited by the prospect of a sterile ui. In my dental office I use digital radiography and one constant aggrivation is taking off gloves to use a mouse. Being able to manipulate a digital record or x-ray via a gesture without de-gloving would b extremly valuable. I really hope that MS enables this functionality because it could help revolutionize the way computers r used in ORs, dental clinics and any other sterile environment.
i once heard a newscaster say that the internet was never going to catch on. a keyboard, a mouse, and maybe a DIGIPAD. this whole motion regognition thing, well, NINTENDO'S POWER GLOVE and now the Wii, well, personally, as one that takes pride in my penmanship, craftsmanship, and overall physical ability, well, accelerometer or RF motion or VID CAP motion recognition, i'm not for it.
tomo
Keep Natal on the Xbox, I don't want that crap on my next computer!
Gates know the real innovation.
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