Recall that motion-sensing patent from the Big N just, oh, two days ago? Turns out that may have a thing or two to do with the recent slide controller accessory unveiled for the Japanese market. Bundled in with the game Slide Adventure: Mag Kid, the device plugs directly into the GBA cartridge slot of the DS / DS Lite and essentially allows you to set the handheld on a flat surface and slide around 'til your heart's content. Unfortunately, there's no dirt on whether or not this peripheral will ever be released outside of Japan (sound familiar?), but for those making their home in Tokyo, you can become the envy of us all by picking the bundle up for ¥5,800 ($49). Click on for some closer shots of the slide controller itself, and check out a videoed demonstration here.

[Via GameSpot]

As if the influx of products like the Wiimote, SIXAXIS controller, and DoCoMo D904i series of handsets hadn't yet convinced you that motion control is the future of PC input (well, either that or knuckle rapping), BT is currently field testing a USB dongle that promises to bring the excitement of gaming to boring computing tasks. Like other implementations before it, the so-called Balance technology uses a small accelerometer to translate various tilts and movements of a connected laptop or UMPC into certain commands, letting you violently shake your expensive gear to do something as simple as empty the trash. Actually, the current trials aren't meant to enable an even lazier lifestyle for your average geek -- at least in the short term -- but rather to give disabled individuals a way to hop on the mobile computing bandwagon without having to deal with finicky trackpads, control nubbins, or onscreen thumbboards. While no specific plans for a commercial launch have been made, BT anticipates that a product stemming from this research will hit the market in two to three years, just in time to be replaced by the thought-controlled input devices that are once again being trailblazed by the cutting-edge gaming community.

[Via Reg Hardware]

While the Wii and PS3 are getting most of the motion-sensing attention these days, Commodore 64 enthusiast Doug Garmon seems intent on proving that his old school system is also up to the task, developing a homebrew joystick that not only packs an accelerometer, but is wireless to boot. As you can see in the video after the break, the whole setup appears to work quite well, although it doesn't exactly provide a full-range of motion-sensing abilities, confined instead to a still-impressive tilt action. While this particular version of the controller makes use of C64-compatible DTV unit instead of an honest-to-goodness Commodore 64, Doug isn't about to let the hardcore Commodore fans among us down, saying he has receiver for the C64 "already made" but hasn't yet tested it.

[Via Hack a Day]

With Vista fast approaching, it seems only natural that the folks at Gyration would tailor its gyroscope-packing, motion-sensing Media Center Remote to the new media-centered OS on the block -- and that's just what they've done, announcing the strikingly familiar-looking Vista Media Center Remote at CES. Apart from the new paint job, the remote appears to be pretty much in line with its earlier Media Center incarnation, giving you full mouse control courtesy of its trademark "Motion by Gyration" technology, with a range of up to 100 feet and plenty of buttons to accommodate your non-point-and-click needs. Look for this one to be available at all the usual locations come March for $150, or in a bundle with a wireless keyboard for an even $200.