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Xbox's EyeToy -- oops, Vision

Sony isn't the only one utilizing the competition's innovations, as shown with the Xbox 360's new camera peripheral, hailed as Vision. Not the old "Captain America and the Avengers" Vision. Some may confuse the two. Some meaning one. The announcement of the camera isn't breaking news, but the price is right. About $40 nets you all the features of the old PS2 eyetoy, plus an extra feature or two. Consider Microsoft's little toy a mixture of the Wiimote and the PS2 eyetoy and you'll kind of understand. Other specs are detailed here.

While this Vision thing doesn't exactly push the limits on its competition (Wii, PS3 EyeToy), it's still a sort of tool to limit the ability of the other consoles. Sort of a "we can do that, too, so just spend $40 instead of another $250 or, heaven forbid, $600." Not saying anything about stealing ideas, because in the business world, that's how advancement works. Of course, they don't call it stealing, but alas. If you had every next-gen console in your house (delivered by a stork made of gold... and chocolate), which would you use as a camera-esque toy of sorts?