Natal Becomes Kinect, Xbox Gets Wi-Fi

The motion-controlled Xbox 360 interface code-named Project Natal will be called Kinect and will be available in North America on Nov. 4, 2010, with availability in other countries in 2011. No pricing was announced. Microsoft also unveiled an update to the Xbox 360 that will include a built-in Wi-Fi adapter—a first for the console—and new content services for the console. The announcements were made during the June 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).

Focus on Nintendo

First demonstrated at the 2009 E3 show, Kinect is meant to close a gap with Nintendo’s Wii console, whose motion-sensitive Wii Remote game controller allows users to control games with broad movements, enabling them to play games like golf and bowling with arm motions that are very similar to those used in the real sports. Kinect offers a similar experience without a handheld controller—instead, the Kinect unit attaches to the console and faces the user, employing a camera, infrared depth sensor, and microphone to respond to motion and voice commands. Kinect can be plugged into the USB port on any Xbox 360, but an updated version of the Xbox 360 console has a powered USB port for Kinect, eliminating the need for a separate power supply and cable. Games demonstrated for Kinect include Microsoft’s Kinect Sports (golf, bowling, volleyball, and other events) and Kinectimals (a children’s game with zoo animals as pets), MTV’s Dance Central (a dance competition), and Ubisoft’s Your Shape: Fitness Evolved (an athletic-training program). Although Microsoft did not announce pricing, some e-commerce sites briefly listed Kinect at a pre-order price of US$150.