Microsoft: Natal Represents A Giant Leap For TV

Microsoft's Project Natal has the potential to replace remote controls, says Live boss Marc Whitten, general manager of Xbox Live, expects Project Natal to "be the largest leap of TV experience since the remote control".





Xbox introduces controller-free gaming and entertainment. Get off the couch and get in the game - no controller required! Wii on steroids.

"I don't believe we are currently in the golden age of the television or the golden age of the game console or the golden age of the internet; frankly, five years from now I don't know that you'll be able to tell the difference between those worlds," Whitten said the Streaming Media West show, according to Yahoo Tech.

As Xbox 360's video delivery services expand, Microsoft aims to make it simple for its customers to find and share content. "It won't be a remote control that consumers use," Whitten said. "A remote control is already too hard."

Whitten foresees a future where Natal recognises the users in the room by appearance and voice and is able to automatically bring up content that they'd be interested in viewing.

"The context is not one billion channels, but one," Whitten said. "One channel, with what I want, when I want it.

"With the flick of my wrist I can change a channel. With the power of my voice I can start a movie."

Let's meet Milo:




Of course, it's not ready for deployment yet -- The inside scoop says November 2010. The low price – expected to be set between $50 and $80 – is meant to position Natal squarely in impulse-buy territory. While $80 may seem a little steep, most games cost around $60 new, and Natal will come with 14 built-in.