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Philips to demo Entertaible at IFA
Philips is ready to put the funk back into Internationale Funkausstellung, where at this year's consumer electronics show in Berlin (Sept. 1 - 6), it'll show off the Entertaible just like it did back at CES. This electronic tabletop game combines more traditional board games (which we do love, by the by) with games of the electronic variety, so you and your loved one can duke it out across the world over the internet. However, while this newfangled table was merely a prototype back at CES, the Entertaible seems like it's on its way to becoming a full-fledged product, but still no info on Philips' timetable or price at this point. One more thing, though -- we're mystified by this part of Philips' press release: "The use of physical objects like pawns and bats to directly manipulate the virtual world enhances the sense of magic." Bats? Magic? We know the Netherlands didn't do so well in the World Baseball Classic, but c'mon guys, that's no reason to provide tools for people to beat each other up with, y'know?
Video games meet board games with the Entertaible
While we all love video games, sometimes there are moments when you want to get a little more analogue. Philips are clearly banking on our secret board game urges with a new product called the Entertaible, an electronic tabletop device which will apparently let you enjoy both the interactivity of electronic games and the social aspects of board games. Philips have grand visions for the device: new versions of old board game classics, games that are never the same twice, and games that provide social interaction between players. Whether they're conveniently ignoring all the products that already provide all of this (a common-or-garden PC, for example), or genuinely believe their product is better, we can't say. The important tests will come on its rollout to bars and casinos, though: how long does it last after someone's spilled their drink on it?
