Hasta La Gadget!

Microsoft says Kinect won’t support sign language, downgraded cameras likely to blame originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tease as much as you want, Sony, but things get real serious when you flip to the other side and look at the magic behind Microsoft’s Kinect camera. Recently, T3 was able to get behind the scenes for a quick lesson on how this Xbox 360 peripheral works, and as part of the tour, it also saw the innocent sensor sitting bare naked in the lab. As pictured above, this little device actually has a lot to pack in — namely a RGB camera for facial recognition plus video capturing, a depth sensor (an infrared projector paired with a monochrome CMOS camera) for movement tracking, four downward-facing mics for voice recognition, a quiet motor in the bulky base for rotation, and all the circuitry components to link them up. Head over to the source link for a detailed briefing — but we all know you’re just gonna go straight to the gallery of Redmond’s naughty pics.

Microsoft pulls apart a Kinect camera, tickles your non-gaming fetish originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Aug 2010 15:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not like it matters much now — after all, Project Natal has had time to incubate and come out as Kinect — but those wondering about the inner workings of the motion sensing system now have more one outlet to investigate. A patent application filed on February 23, 2009 was just made public today, describing a “gesture keyboarding” scenario where users can make gestures that are caught by a “depth camera” and then converted into in-game controls. Of course, those paying close attention could’ve read between the lines when we toyed with a camouflaged PrimeSense demo at GDC, but here’s the fully skinny in black and white. And a bit of blue, if you count the buttons. Give that source link a tap once you’re settled in.

Microsoft’s Kinect patent application goes public, reveals gobs of fine print originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 19:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well ladies and gentlemen, it’s that time again — the Engadget Show is back in a big way next Wednesday, August 4th at 8pm! This time around, we’ll have the inimitable Peter Molyneux, one of the world’s most forward-thinking game designers and creator of “Black & White” and the “Fable” franchise. What’s more, we’ll have a rousing roundtable with Josh, Paul, and Nilay, some fine, fine music from Zen Albatross, mind-bending visuals from invaderbacca, and a few other big surprises. As usual, we’ll be doing tons of giveaways at the live show only, so make the trek and join us at The Times Center in person. If you’re geographically incapable of joining us in New York City, just tune into the stream at right here on Engadget.

The Engadget Show is sponsored by Sprint, and will take place at the Times Center, part of The New York Times Building in the heart of New York City at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues (see map after the break). Tickets are — as always — free to anyone who would like to attend, but seating is limited, and tickets will be first come, first served… so get there early! Here’s all the info you need:

• There is no admission fee — tickets are completely free
• The event is all ages
• Ticketing will begin at the Times Center at 5:30PM on Wednesday, doors will open for seating at 7:30PM, and the show begins at 8PM
• You cannot collect tickets for friends or family — anyone who would like to come must be present to get a ticket
• Seating capacity in the Times Center is about 340, and once we’re full, we’re full
• The venue is located at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues in New York City (map after the break)
• The show length is around an hour

If you’re a member of the media who wishes to attend, please contact us at: engadgetshowmedia [at] engadget [dot] com, and we’ll try to accommodate you. All other non-media questions can be sent to: engadgetshow [at] engadget [dot] com.

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Continue reading The Engadget Show returns next Wednesday, August 4th with game designer Peter Molyneux, Windows Phone 7, and much more!

The Engadget Show returns next Wednesday, August 4th with game designer Peter Molyneux, Windows Phone 7, and much more! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon Germany just couldn’t keep a secret. Microsoft’s just announced that a shiny new Xbox 360 Arcade replacement — with 4GB internal flash memory, a matte finish, and built-in 802.11n WiFi — will be shipping August 3rd for $199.99. A stark difference in capacity to the current 250GB model, but at least it’s cheaper. Looking ahead to November, the standalone Kinect, it’s coming for (yeah, you guessed it) $149.99 with Kinect Adventures. Act surprised, Microsoft would really like you to. As for the pièce de résistance — that’d be the 4GB console, Kinect sensor, and game — that’s due out “this holiday” for $299.99. Press release after the break, pretty pictures just below.

Update: Looks like the Britons will be paying £129.99 for Kinect.

Continue reading New Xbox 360 4GB ships August 3rd for $199, Kinect standalone priced at $149, bundle coming this holiday for $299

New Xbox 360 4GB ships August 3rd for $199, Kinect standalone priced at $149, bundle coming this holiday for $299 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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