Xcast Online

Here we go again. After nearly two years of the rumord Newton controller on 360 failing to come to fruition, we may have our answer at last. A source has tipped Engadget off to the above image: An Xbox 360 "sensor bar" that can detect full-body movement and sound, without the need for a waggle wand like the Wii. Apparently the device has two sensors, a microphone and camera on board, and can filter between the person playing, and people spectating. So your dog wandering around the background won't interfere. It is unknown if it wireless or wired. Add to that the source saying they have "no idea" how it actually functions. Ditto. The device can allegedly do the following:

- Full body and hand gesture control of games / characters.

- In fighting games you kick, punch, duck, dive, jump and so forth with your body.

- It also picks up small hand gestures like pinching, grabbing and scrolling.

- There will also be video conferencing and games with video.

- Trivia game over the internet with live images of each person playing.

- When a question pops up, they can clap to buzz in.

- You can "move objects on your screen" and the other party can see what you're doing in real time.

- Sensor detects only the person playing, not folks observing on the couch.

Video conferencing? Sold. Remember a few months ago when Microsoft snatched up that motion sensing company, 3DV, that develops "next generation virtual imaging technology"? The company produced a product called 'Zcam' that was similar to Sony's EyeToy in that it didn't rely on controllers, and could detect players' movement - even depth from the screen - and produce the correct response on-screen.

Rumors were that instead of crafting a "controller", Microsoft may use this company to build a new camera-type device that takes what the Vision camera does to the next level. Sounds like exactly what this is. It's speculated that the sensors on this new device can add depth perception alongside what the camera sees, which would allow for more realistic and advanced interactions in games.

Microsoft said they don't comment on rumor and speculation, so only time will tell. For what it's worth, this is a bit of information that isn't exactly "new" to us here. If something like this does exist, though, it would sure "completely transform how people think about home entertainment," wouldn't it? E3 is mere weeks away.

---