Tue, 02 Jun 2009 Video: Microsoft Natal demo wows E3

spyinthesky said on Tue, 02 Jun 2009

Impressive, I can't wait to see this on my home computer, not that I expect to be around by the time that happens in any significant way. Its rather like being impressed by a Pixar movie and being led to believe that we can all producesimilar in a year or so. This is all about trying to restore some semblance of technological relevance for Microsoft than any serious rolling out of that technology in the foreseeable future. Like surface expect year after year of 'hey just wait a little longer folks its just around the corner and meanwhile just look at how clever we are'.

eldernorm said on Tue, 02 Jun 2009

I have this sneaking feeling that this will turn out to be like the "Big Ass Table". For only $10,000 and a long wait, you too can be disappointed at the results.

Now, I am fair. When and if MS ever sells this for a reasonable price, it runs on Windows 7 home on a regular PC, then I will fall to my knees and bow towards Redmond. :-)

For now, I think I am safe. LOL

en

Mark Hattersley said on Tue, 02 Jun 2009

Sorry, I should have made clear in the story. It's allegedly designed for the Xbox 360 - so it is theoretically capable of running on current PCs.

I don't think it requires a technically fast or powerful machine, just the recognition technology. I'm sure this is something we'll hear a lot about in the run up to its release.

There's not even a hint of a release date though; let alone price. Although I'd expect it to be between £100-£200.

Whether it turns out to be as good as it looks in Peter's tech demo is another matter.

Xhris2210 said on Wed, 03 Jun 2009

I'm not seeing any demo video - just a blank space. YouTube is blocked on my corporate network, but I usually see some sort of message to this effect. Is this a YouTube embed?

Rrrrrrrrrrrrrreader said on Wed, 03 Jun 2009

I'm impressed. Even if they don't manage to get it to market for a while, every other tech company will be jealous of the patents and ideas. The Wii controller suddenly seems a very tired object. But I agree without a shipping date and a cost this thing is potentially just more vaporware to put people off buying other products - instead they'll think I'll buy an XBOX and wait for the adapter.

Mark said on Wed, 03 Jun 2009

It is another one of those instances where you wish Apple were making it.

Mostly because then you know it'd be shipping. It'd be a case of "and it's on sale now!"

Instead it's a Microsoft tech demo and you've no idea how far down the pipeline it is.

And don't forget that you're watching a pre-recorded movie; not a live demonstration. they could have done five takes and had a dozen crashes for every shot.

Still. Microsoft has definitely stolen this year's E3 show and managed to deliver a definite answer to Nintendo's Wii. Fair play to them.

Siv said on Thu, 04 Jun 2009

I can't see how you can criticise it when in the press briefing they had people actually up on stage playing games with it!

Watch the E3 briefing video for Natal and you will see real people playing with it on stage.

Oh, and if Apple made it, you would probably pay three times more for less functionality, but it would be and look "cool".