April 10, 2008Xbox360 “Newton” Motion Sensing Controller?
Posted by The Ori
Wii, Wii?
Sources have confirmed the existence of the Xbox Wiimote clone project; code name: “Newton”
The hardware is still being worked on and it might be a couple months before we see leaked shots of any prototypes when they start to mass manufacture it; but, there might ba an early software developer kit and prototype out there somewhere.
Microsoft is rumored to have licensed patents from Gyration, and are using them to develop their motion sensing Wiimote controller. Legally Microsoft is not ripping off Nintendo, but rather licensing the technology from the same place that Nintendo got theirs from. For an example the Guitar Hero and Rockband controllers both use the same patent that is owned by Konami that they developed for the Guitar Freaks.
From what was learned from internal sources at Microsoft, the Newton project is moving forward. The time table indicates that it has been in development for a while now, and they could get it out by winter of 2008. The “Newton” is also going to use a LED sensor bar that can be powered by the USB ports on the 360. There will be a LED sensor on the front accelerometer, and gyroscope sensor that can detect tilt and motion, rumble motors, wireless two way data communication with the 360. The addition to this version, is a built in Microphone for Xbox Live and voice-activated games.
How original…!!??
Original you ask? So, you feel that Nintendo invented this technology? Well, how about some schooling for you:
Both the Wii remote, and the the PS3 remote is capable of everything (gyroscope) except the PS3 remote doesn’t have the infrared LED sending unit portion, like where you point the Wii controller at the LED sensor bar for menu pointing, which is nothing new, as the PC has had pointing devices for years that work the same way.
Security cameras have been using LEDs to sense motion for years as well. Just not from another Infrared LED broadcasting to the sensor (which would work too, on the infrared spectrum), but simply detects motion from mere body heat.
The optical mouse is about the same, on a smaller scale, you have visible light; the high led when in motion, and the other LED to collect the light as you move the mouse along a surface, that detects the MOTION.
So, this is nothing NINTENDO has invented, just expanded on. The Wii remote only has one more item the PS3 controller doesn’t, and that’s the LED system.
SO, original? Nope, the technology has been in use for years, so, it’s only application use, and not originality.
I think his one line remark was a notion that it’s a copy/addition/adaptation of interactive motion sense gameplay which the Wii has put on the map, the PS3 took a piece of it and included it and now microsoft is apparently adding to it’s system.
YEAH…………………….
this is what i’ve been waiting for since the start of the current gen consoles..
i promised myself to buy a wii if the 360 wont release a motion sencing controllers….
so now i can have motion sencing games and stay an xbox360 fan boy at the same time…..
guess whatbthis means???
xbox sports===>me losing weight….
Lol i hope microsoft pull it off, kiss their ass Ninetndo.
I own a 360 and PS3 but no wii, i have never liked nintendo’s products.
Just my opinions feel fre to flame me :D
If MS can pull this off, Wii will say goodbye to Gamecube 1.5. Here’s some hoping for the success.