Microsoft's Project Natal impresses

So when you die in real life... BSOD?

...I think I'd feel happier dieing with a rainbow Mac swirly, much less depressing ;)

As a Xbox 360 gamer, I'm very excited to see where this is going. This is indeed the next step in gaming interfaces and not just an evolution of the Wii formula (a.k.a. Sony's new motion controller).
This 3D camera technology will, IMO, provide a sense of immersion that no other physical peripheral can.
It's a pretty good time to be a gamer :)

Also, if Apple does indeed enter the videogame market, I can't see their console going up against Xbox 360 or PS3. I can easily see it defying the Wii due to the more casual nature of the games that already populate the App Store (and my iPod Touch :P). If Apple is to be successful in the gaming market through Apple TV (or a dedicated console), they'll need huge developer support, competitive pricing (sub $300) and increased functionality.
I love Apple and their products, but they would really have to change their attitude towards gaming and towards users as a whole in order to be successful. Gamers are not really interested in the design of their console, or in the way its outer casing is manufactured (not taking a stab at Apple, just stating facts). They're interested in functionality, innovation, chalenge, good (make that great) software and good hardware to handle it.
If Apple were to release a $500 console with the same abilities as the Wii, they would probably be the laughing stock of the gaming market and they would have a Pippin 2 on their hands. However, a sub $300 console with current gen graphics, a lot of support from established devs and some form of innovation (be it gameplay, social interaction or other) would really shake up the community.

Enough rambling. I'm interested in Apple joining the gaming market. It'll probably provide more competition, better products and better games. I just hope that they realise that most gamers are not high-end enthusiasts with infinite capacity wallets and that most are between the ages of 16 and 26.
I also think they should focus on getting proper Mac support first. Like paying Valve the million dollars they asked to port the Steam platform and all the Source-based games to the Mac. That would simply amazing, not to mention Apple would get that million back in less than a year.

The Songsmith ad is horrible! Not only is the logo horrid, but the presentation of the video was enough to make me sick... *vomits*

Sometimes I question if Microsoft has any taste at all xD

I'm actually curious how Nintendo will react.
Since this is Microsoft how we've learned to know them: see what is successfull (aka the Wii) and copy it. Cause basically this is just an upgrade on what the Wii already can do.

bummer, looks like microsoft probably has the jump on a lot of these patents. anybody have any more insight?

Firstly, I wanna say that I think Natal would be brilliant, but there's a couple of issues with it:
1. You would need a pretty big room - while on the skateboard, that boy was jumping here, there and everywhere.
2. The idea that that sort of technology (motion tracking without wearing a motion tracking suit, voice/facial/object recognition of that caliber) will be available to the general public, at a reasonable price in the next 5-10 years is completely lawlable.
3. Even if it WAS available, the technology would be flawed. Facial and voice recognition could not differentiate between a set of identical twins, and if both are in the screen waiting to be identified, the thing would probably just crash.
4. For the motion tracking to work - apparently in 3D space - you would need 4 cameras placed around you, so that it could detect what you're doing. To combat that, you would need a motion suit, which would take away the idea that you are the controller.
Like with Vista (and Windows 7), Microsoft are aiming too high. They don't seem to understand that, some people like things the way that they are. People like being able to play a game sitting down. This concept caters for the active types. What about disabled people? What about people who can't get up and act like total douche in order to play a video game?
The wii worked that very well, in that, you don't HAVE to move about. You CAN just sit. Microsoft, in removing the controller totally, has removed a (rather large) percent of gamers, because they simply won't be able to play.

Firstly, I wanna say that I think Natal would be brilliant, but there's a couple of issues with it:
1. You would need a pretty big room - while on the skateboard, that boy was jumping here, there and everywhere.
2. The idea that that sort of technology (motion tracking without wearing a motion tracking suit, voice/facial/object recognition of that caliber) will be available to the general public, at a reasonable price in the next 5-10 years is completely lawlable.
3. Even if it WAS available, the technology would be flawed. Facial and voice recognition could not differentiate between a set of identical twins, and if both are in the screen waiting to be identified, the thing would probably just crash.
4. For the motion tracking to work - apparently in 3D space - you would need 4 cameras placed around you, so that it could detect what you're doing. To combat that, you would need a motion suit, which would take away the idea that you are the controller.
Like with Vista (and Windows 7), Microsoft are aiming too high. They don't seem to understand that, some people like things the way that they are. People like being able to play a game sitting down. This concept caters for the active types. What about disabled people? What about people who can't get up and act like total douche in order to play a video game?
The wii worked that very well, in that, you don't HAVE to move about. You CAN just sit. Microsoft, in removing the controller totally, has removed a (rather large) percent of gamers, because they simply won't be able to play.

How does it know that you're not just talking to someone else in the room?
How tired are my arms going to get holding non-existent controllers?