Motion
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Kepler Motion brings 800bhp using dual-engine hybrid magic
Since we're already on the topic of fairy dust, how about a new all-wheel drive supercar that can purportedly thrust you from nought to sixty in 2.5 seconds? New startup Kepler Motors is about to unveil its first vehicle and its ambition is nothing short of staggering. Employing a 550bhp Ford Ecoboost petrol engine to drive the rear wheels and a 250bhp electric motor for the front pair, this machine also comes with a carbon fiber chassis and carbon ceramic brakes to really make the theoretical numbers look ridiculous. Of course, it's still only a concept for the Dubai International Motor Show, but production plans are already set for 2011. You'll just have to make sure to be among the 50 richest people interested in owning one, because that'll be the entire production run.
MIT gestural computing makes multitouch look old hat
Ah, the MIT Media Lab, home to Big Bird's illegitimate progeny, augmented reality projects aplenty, and now three-dimensional gestural computing. The new bi-directional display being demoed by the Cambridge-based boffins performs both multitouch functions that we're familiar with and hand movement recognition in the space in front of the screen -- which we're also familiar with, but mostly from the movies. The gestural motion tracking is done via embedded optical sensors behind the display, which are allowed to see what you're doing by the LCD alternating rapidly (invisible to the human eye, but probably not to human pedantry) between what it's displaying to the viewer and a pattern for the camera array. This differs from projects like Natal, which have the camera offset from the display and therefore cannot work at short distances, but if you want even more detail, you'll find it in the informative video after the break. [Thanks, Rohit]
Microvision's PicoP laser projector meets rifle-shaped motion controller, mayhem ensues
How do you spice up the traditionally unexciting projector market? You take your finest laser projector, with its "infinite focus" skills, pair it with a weapon-styled motion controller, and you offer FPS gamers the opportunity to get out of their seats and perform their murdering sprees as nature intended. So Microvision thinks, and we've no doubt that the prototype being demonstrated over at the Intel Extreme Masters will be fulfilling a few fanboy dreams, but we're more interested in how it all works. If you remember the GameGun (and who could forget that mullet?), this'll be familiar territory: the projector reacts to movements of the controller so that the game view tracks your real world view, lending the experience a bona fide 3D feel. Microvision won't spill the full details just yet, but a video demo awaits past the break. [Thanks, Tony]
STMicroelectronics' 3-axis MEMS gyroscope gives a new level of control to your mobile
Man, talk about timely. We heard right around 11 months ago that MEMS gyroscopes would be hitting an array of handsets in 2009, and while it's looking like that estimate will be just a touch off, you won't catch us kvetching with "early 2010." STMicroelectronics has just announced its new 3-axis MEMS gyroscope, which promises 360 degree "angular-rate detection for high-precision 3D gesture and motion recognition in mobile phones, game controllers, personal navigation systems and other portable devices." The gyro is said to provide two separate outputs for each of the three axes at the same time: a 400dps full-scale value for slow motion, and a 1,600dps full-scale value to detect and measure speedy gestures and movements. We're told that samples of the tech are available now with mass production scheduled for Q1 2010; and yeah PSP, it's totally cool if you keep sweating. NGage is about to be back... with a vengeance! [Via FarEastGizmos]
An interview with the man behind the name "iMac"
This is a cool interview over at Cult of Mac -- you've heard of Steve Jobs of course, you know who Jonathan Ive is, you might have heard of Rob Janoff, but do you know Ken Segall's name? He's a former creative director from TBWA\Chiat\Day, and he has two claims to Apple fame: he worked on the "Think Different" campaign, and he's responsible for coming up with the one letter that may have defined the modern-day Apple as we know it. That's right, he named the iMac. The writeup is fascinating, even if you get the sense that we're looking through the lens of history, and things may not happened quite as stylishly as they seem. Jobs apparently showed the Bondi Blue iMac to the ad team, and while he originally "hated" the name, he obviously came around -- though Segall apparently never got the satisfaction of official approval. He closes with an interesting sentiment about the company, too: at Apple, it's always about moving forward to the next big thing, and everything is product-centered, not number-driven. Segall says he was around for a few Jobs "flare-ups," but if there was a fit thrown, it was always in trying to keep the company moving forward as quickly as possible. Interesting stuff. It's quite a legacy, too -- the iMac was originally called so because it was a Mac that connected to the Internet, but obviously since then, the i has become symbolic of many other things, all the way up to iLife, the iPod, and the iPhone. You tend to forget, after all of the millions of dollars and the culture and promotion, that it all came from the head of a guy in a conference room looking at a computer Jobs just pulled the cloth off of.
Ears-on with Sony Ericsson MH907 Motion Activated Headphones
What we have here today isn't just another pair of ordinary headphones: Sony Ericsson's MH907s are button-free, minimalistic headphones that activate upon the magical touch of your skin. Well, your ears to be precise. You must bear in mind that the MH907s are exclusive to Fast port-equipped Sony Ericsson phones thus excluding the forthcoming XPERIA X10 -- so chances are you're already not interested. That said, we shall see if Sony Ericsson is really going to change things forever with these gleaming buds featuring SE's SensMe Control technology, or by just stopping everyone from using their 3.5mm headphone jacks. Read on to find out how these €39 ($57) headphones fared. %Gallery-75958%
Apple posts two new updates
Just days after all the hardware updates on Tuesday, Apple has posted two new support downloads. The first, Pro Applications Update 2009-01, contains several updates for applications in Final Cut Studio. This update includes Final Cut Pro 7.0.1, Motion 4.0.1, Soundtrack Pro 3.0.1, Color 1.5.1, and Compressor 3.5.1. This update addresses general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues. You can download this update through Software Update, or on the Apple Support Downloads page. Also, Apple released Apple Server Diagnostics 3X106, which replaces Apple Server Diagnostics 3X104 to provide support for Snow Leopard Server. This is compatiable with the Xserve (Early 2008 or Early 2009) or the Mac mini server config (Early 2009). This download is also available on the Apple Support Downloads page.
TGS 2009: Motion-controlled LittleBigPlanet demo is grief-filled
Anyone who's ever played LittleBigPlanet knows that the experience is enriched when played with friends -- but what if one of your "friends" was not a Sackboy in the context of the game, but rather, an invisible agent of divine intervention? Think of it: He or she could effortlessly lift objects through the air, discard obstacles, bridge gaps or, depending on their temperament, instantly murder you. Sony and Media Molecule are teaming up to incorporate this unsettling omnipotence into the customizable platformer with the launch of the PlayStation Motion Controller. You can check out a video of the motion-controlled LBP multiplayer demo (culled from Sony's Tokyo Game Show keynote) after the jump. Fans of the title might see this new functionality as a bold evolution Media Molecule's lovable game -- we see it as an unprecedented advancement in hilarious griefing technology. [Via Kotaku]
TGS 2009: Motion-controlled Resident Evil 5 caught on video
Remember when it was first announced that Resident Evil 5 wasn't coming to the Wii, and fans got really upset, because Resident Evil 4 on the Wii was totally awesome? It seems that decision wasn't made due to Capcom's oversight of said awesomeness -- rather, it looks like they chose to bring that experience to the PS3 with the ball-pointed PlayStation Motion Controller. Seriously, check out this gameplay sample (video posted after the break) from Sony's TGS keynote and tell us that doesn't look exactly like RE4 on the Wii. Okay, the PS3 version is significantly prettier -- and due to the fact that Sony's controller has no nunchuck (which forces the player to hold a SIXAXIS in one hand and the wand in another) the controls look a bit more awkward this time around. [Via VG247]
PlayStation Motion Controller on track for Spring 2010 release, software detailed
We just got our first brief taste of some of the retrofitted PS3 titles which would support Sony's new, tentatively-named PlayStation Motion Controller during Sony's TGS 2009 keynote. However, a piping hot press release gave us some of the most detailed info on the peripheral to date -- most notable of which is the re-confirmation that the hardware is still on track for a Spring 2010 release. Equally as titillating is a comprehensive list of first-party "Motion Controller dedicated and compatible titles" which are set to drop (or in the case of the pre-existing titles, receive the new functionality via a patch) throughout 2010:Software Titles for Motion Controller from SCE Worldwide Studios Ape Escape (Working Title) Echochrome 2 (Working Title) Eccentric Slider (Working Title) Sing and Draw (Working Title) Champions of Time (Working Title) Motion Party (Working Title) The Shoot (Working Title) Tower (Working Title) PAIN*Flower*Hustle Kings*High Velocity Bowling*EyePet* * Motion control function will be added by network update, etc.
13 PS3 motion control games confirmed for next year, motion-enhanced Biohazard 5 coming Spring 2010
Sure, the company's Tokyo Game Show keynote was a bit of a bore, but in a second press conference for Japanese media, Sony did what it could to make up for it by revealing Biohazard 5: Alternative Edition, the first PS3 title we've heard of to support the new motion controllers -- and better still, it's due out Spring 2010. Also confirmed is the existence of 13 first-party titles with motion support coming at some point next year, including Pain, EyePet and Flower. Both Biohazard 5 (known in the US as Resident Evil 5) and a LittleBigPlanet tech demo were shown on stage, and pics from the announcement are being uploaded now, so stay tuned! Update: Some new details of the LittleBigPlanet motion control demo from our friend Ittousai of Engadget Japan. In the presentation, one player was playing the normal way via DualShock while a second person was "assisting" by means of the motion control.
PS3 Motion Controller launching in March?
Is your name "harborneb?" It is? Then you might be out of a job. That's the name attributed to the author of a Microsoft Word document sitting on SEGA America's official FTP site at this very moment. The .doc file resides in SEGA's otherwise benign "news" directory. Now, it's very possible that the document could have been uploaded in jest as an Internet prank. But assuming it's real, then these meeting minutes between SEGA and Sony on August 5th reveal quite a few tantalizing details. Chiefly, that Sony will be launching its PS3 motion controller in Japan in March of 2010, Spring elsewhere. There's also discussion of PlayStation 2 emulation on the PS3 with a note that "SCEA wants to sell all PS2 titles on PSN (GTA Vice City/Sonic/etc)." Want more? Then hit up the read link and download the document yourself. Else, you'll just have to hope for news from the Tokyo Game Show kicking off Thursday. Update: The document has been pulled. We've added the full text after the break.[Via Gamesindustry.biz, thanks DarKlar]Read [Warning: FTP link]
Sony Ericsson's motion activated MH907 headset could change things forever (update: or not)
See that? That's the device that will forever change the way you to listen to music. At least that was the promise made in the teaser running up to today's press event. The buttonless MH907 buds are the world's first "Motion Activated" headphones with Sony Ericsson's "SensMe Control" tech: bung them into your ears to automatically start listening to music, remove one bud to pause. The buds are activated by body contact and mimick the way we control sound now. What's cool is that the headphones seem to use your body as an electrical conduit (a Body Area Network) based on this quote from the webinar:"Requires conductive surface to activate the controls - i.e. your ears, hence it won't turn things on in your pocket by just squeezing the ear buds"If so, this is a first consumer application of this technology that we can recall. Available globally this week for any Fast Port equipped phone for just €39. Video fun after the break.Update: SE has further clarified that the technology is capacitive in nature. In other words, removing an ear bud isn't breaking the flow of current between buds (and across your noodle) -- it's destroying the dynamic capacitor formed by the touch of human skin. Right, this is technology we've seen before in capacitive touchscreens and trackpads. %Gallery-73591%
PS3 motion controller's launch titles will work single-wandedly
The PlayStation 3 motion controller's actual launch date is still shrouded in multiple layers of mystery, but when it finally does make it to market, Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida wants to assure you that you won't be needing to purchase two wands for any games -- at least at first. All launch titles will work with just one motion controller and camera, but there will be some options for those wanting to dual-wand -- "experiences will be enhanced if you purchase a second," he said. That does leave open the possibility of future titles mandating a dual-wand setup -- we wouldn't be surprised if some sword fighting simulators required it -- but at least you can dip your toes in first and see if that bucket of plastic game peripherals really has room for more. [Via Joystiq]
Rare wants to revitalize classic IP with Natal, beat world
While most people were struck with thoughts of the future when Microsoft's motion-control apparatus Project Natal was unveiled, Rare couldn't get its mind off the past. In a recent interview with VideoGamer, 15-year Rare veteran George Andreas explained the device "gives us an opportunity to maybe at some point in the future investigate some of those older IPs." Andreas was particularly excited about one unnamed Rare franchise which would be "absolutely phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal" if it should incoroporate Natal. He added, "I think it would be an absolutely world-beating product. But we need to explore a little bit more in that direction." Got any ideas? Our money's on Jetpac -- though we suppose a motion-controlled Conker's Bad Fur Day would have its humorous, bawdy merits. Just ... make sure the blinds are closed while you're playing it, okay?
Sony placing PS3 slim manufacturing orders for delivery in July?
We haven't heard much about the PS3 slim since E3, but that doesn't mean it's been entirely quiet out there -- the hot rumor today is that Sony's signed manufacturing agreements with both Foxconn and Pegatron to build the revised model in time for July delivery. That much we believe, since it's been backed up by a couple different credible reports, but here's where it gets totally insane: there's a suggestion that the slim will be the last PS3 model of this generation, and that a next-gen console based on Sony's motion controller is due in spring 2010. We don't buy that at all, since the PS3 is just entering its prime and Sony was clear that the motion controller was for the existing console, so we think this rumor is getting garbled down the wire -- it's far more likely that the slim is being prepped for an August launch to coincide with those rumored price cuts, and that new PS3 bundles that include the motion controller are set to drop next year. That's just our take on the matter, though -- we'll see how things shake out.
InvenSense boasts new motion tech, as seen in MotionPlus
The motion technology masterminds at InvenSense dropped a press release today which reminds everyone how totally awesome their handiwork is. The product the company is currently boasting is its "6-axis motion processing solution," which is featured in the upcoming Wii MotionPlus dongle attachment. As the name suggests, the "solution" allows for the detection of movement in six directions -- up, down, left, right, forward and backward -- allowing you to throw fake frisbees to fake dogs with unparalleled accuracy.InvenSense is hoping to shop the new gyroscopic technology out to other electronic developers in July, so if your coffee maker suddenly becomes aware of its own pitch and yaw, you know who to blame.[Via VentureBeat]
Analyst expects just about every E3 rumor to come true
If Macquarie Research analyst David Gibson's soothsaying proves accurate, then our E3 prediction Bingo cards are going to be huge winners -- if, you know, they were actually worth prizes or anything. See, Gibson recently put his keen analytical skills to work in order to foresee the revelations that will drop during the Big Three's conferences at E3 next week. We think there are a few crowd pleasers in his divination.Gibson expects Microsoft's conference to focus mostly on the heavily rumored Xbox 360 motion controller, and the software that will launch in conjunction with the new peripheral. Sony's conference will supposedly also be hardware-centric, revealing a $399, slim PS3 model and the UMD-less, touch screen-equipped PSP Go!. His Nintendo predictions are the most shocking of all -- in addition to a large focus on Wii Fit Plus, Gibson expects the reveal of new Zelda and Mario titles. We'll believe it when we see it -- and we'll see it in like, six days.
WSJ: Microsoft prepping Xbox 360 motion control camera
Rumors of Microsoft's intent to ride on Nintendo's motion-sensitive coattails are nothing new, and while nothing has been announced, the Wall Street Journal suggests that a new motion-detecting camera from Microsoft could be unveiled as early as next month's E3.Citing unnamed sources reportedly close to the project, the rumored camera captures a player's body motion and translates it onto the screen. The functionality reads more like the EyeToy than the Wii, though the WSJ's sources say that the rumored peripheral will offer "more accurate control over games" than other cameras. Microsoft was said to be in talks to purchase 3D camera company 3DV earlier this year, tech the sources say is behind the camera. Whatever the case, the camera, if true, is likely a ways off, with the WSJ's sources further noting that the device won't see the light of retail until sometime next year. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Future iPhone may detect when you are truckin' like the doodah man, offer video chat
Macrumors has a detailed breakdown of a couple of new iPhone patent applications, but here's the gist: Apple is looking at how to trigger events based on movements (or gestures), and one patent filing shows a front-facing video camera. The camera is easy -- there's your 2-way video chat (we hope). The motion stuff? Well, Apple could go in several directions with that.According to the indications in the patent filing, Apple is suggesting the interface on the iPhone could change under certain conditions. Specifically, contacts would get larger if you are running. That makes them easier to tap when you aren't able to be as accurate. This is just one example, but I think the more the iPhone can correctly guess the context of its use, the better. We were all a little excited when we saw the auto-orientation of (some) apps, and the relatively minor miracle of a proximity sensor which turns off the screen when you raise the phone to your face. The motion-sensing stuff takes this way beyond all that.While this stuff won't likely make it into the next iPhone revision, it does show you where Apple is headed: more features, better usability. Although I do notice the power button seems to have moved to the right, away from the top. Will that be part of the next iPhone? There's mention of everything from a stylus to a scroll wheel (like BlackBerry), but I think that's just patent chatter (covering the bases, as it were). Here's a link to the patent filing.[thanks to Alejandro for help in plumbing the patent filing]
