IBM, Microsoft, Google, Verizon

Microsoft's Project Natal for Xbox 360 May Learn from Your Actions

Project Natal is the code name for a "controller-free gaming and entertainment experience" by Microsoft for the Xbox 360 video game platform. Based on an add-on peripheral for the Xbox 360 console, it enables users to control and interact with the Xbox 360 without the need to touch a game controller through a natural user interface using gestures, spoken commands, or presented objects and images. The project is aimed at broadening the Xbox 360's audience beyond its typical gamer base. Project Natal was first announced on June 1, 2009 at E3 2009. Microsoft said that over one thousand software development kits began shipping to game developers that same day. It is scheduled to be released in time for Christmas 2010. Reports say that it will be released in October 2010. - Wikipedia

April 22, 2010

Eurogamer - Xbox 360 general manager Marc Whitten reckons that in future Project Natal may be able to learn things about you based on what you wear and how you react to things happening on-screen.

"Natal isn't just about gaming - it's about all living-room experiences," he told Fast Company (thanks Kotaku).

"Imagine a sporting event -- Natal could know which team you're for because it sees your jersey, or knows you thought a bad call was made when you yell 'boo'. It learns about you and gets smarter to create a more tailored entertainment experience."

Whitten also told the business site,

"If you counted the number of buttons in your living room, it would send a chill down your spine," and that Natal was designed to get away from our reliance on complicated remotes.

Project Natal is due out later this year and should be unveiled in full at E3 in June. Check out Digital Foundry's extensive hands-on report which covers everything from how it works to how much lag you experience.