ces-09
Latest
Rumor: North American GPS still en route for this year
[Update: We're now classifying this story as a rumor, as there is no verifiable press release sent during CES 2009.]Sony hasn't forgotten about North American GPS for the PSP; though, we suppose you have. We've heard since mid-2008 that the much-sought after service could be coming to North America in 2009, but since then, talk about peripheral had died down. However, according to PSP World, Sony reiterated interest in bringing the guidance system over at the Consumer Electronics Show this past weekend, suggesting that it could very well be on its way to release this year. The peripheral has already been implemented in Europe for several months now and in Japan since 2006.
Thomson developing tru2way hardware
In a CES surprisingly slim on new tru2way information, Thomson's revealed that it's working on a new set-top box for cable operators. Until it gets through CableLabs certification, what's on display is an OCAP / MoCa (Multimedia over Coax Alliance) set-top box running enable TV widget software pulling news info from the Internet to a TV. Further down the line a triple tuner tru2way DVR is expected, but not until 2010 so patience will clearly be key.
Video: Hands flailing wildly with Toshiba Spatial Motion Interface
Given a year to work on its gesture control technology, Toshiba has upgraded from the simple implementation of 2008 to a new 3D interface that rotates and zooms photos and videos with a flick of the arm. Useful? We're not completely sold. Still ridiculous to use, or watch someone else try? Of course, video's after the break.
Xbox 360 IPTV dream not dead yet
Remember Xbox 360 IPTV rollout? Though the wonderful fantasy of replacing our stodgy cable DVRs with an all-in-one Left 4 Dead playing / channel surfing beast has dried up like a raisin in the sun, Dave Zatz confirmed with Microsoft booth reps that BT is (still) planning on deploying the service, and despite the NXE the UI will retain the look of the current Motorola boxes pictured above. Now that U-Verse has delivered Total Home DVR and upgraded beyond 1 HD stream at a time, maybe they can get to work on this deployment next?
Sony teases 3D PS3 tech at CES
Thought playing Gran Turismo 5 in 2160p wasn't insane enough? Then how about playing it in 3D? How about combining the two ... er, we're getting a little too excited about the future here -- let's get back on track. At CES in Las Vegas, Sony had been showing off some 3D tech tie-ins for the PS3, displaying WipEout HD and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue running in true 3D.Ars Technica went through the whole orgasmic experience recounting it as "one of the best demos of 3D technology [they] have ever seen." But hold your horses, folks; Sony says it's all for show ... for now. "We're not going to talk about specifications," said a Sony rep. "This is just a look at what 3D could look like if Sony decided to move in this direction."The black shades the gent is wearing in the picture is the 3D goggles for gameplay. It's not as dorky as Ars thinks it is ... imagine wearing those horrid red/blue specs, ew! The blur screen is no doubt an effect of the 3D and, well, we're dying (as much as you are) to know what it actually was like. Guess we'll never know for quite some time.[Thanks Julian A. and Erico316!]
Harmonix 2009: The Beatles yes, Rock Band 3 no
We're quite glad to hear that Harmonix has opted not to pursue more disc-based Rock Band content this year. The business model that Harmonix has built for the rhythm game genre is -- at the moment -- close to perfection, and we wouldn't want to see another entry into the series disrupt this hegemony. Harmonix co-founder and CEO Alex Rigopolous revealed the news at this week's Consumer Electronics Show. "We've actually made a choice to break out of the annual release cycle for Rock Band this year," said Rigopolous. "[This is] partly because the annual cycle places limits on the choices you can make as a developer. We're trying to take a long term view."Instead of having Rock Band 3 this year, the company is putting focus on its Beatles game, which supposedly will have all-new gameplay previously unseen from Harmonix. That title is still due for a late 2009 release.[Via MTV Multiplayer]
