Xbox 360 Kinect Limited to Two Players, 30 fps, and 640 x 480?

Here’s some potentially alarming news for those of you interested in Kinect for Xbox 360: according to a UK retailer, the camera is limited to a resolution of 640×480 at 30 frames per second and only supports two “active” players at a time.  The 30 fps claim is the most damning, since it means there will usually be some sort of lag. Support for two active players means that those of you with giant living rooms will not be able to have wild Kinect party sessions. Here’s the full list of specs:

Sensor
Colour and depth-sensing lenses
Voice microphone array
Tilt motor for sensor adjustment
Fully compatible with existing Xbox 360 consoles

Field of View
Horizontal field of view: 57 degrees
Vertical field of view: 43 degrees
Physical tilt range: ± 27 degrees
Depth sensor range: 1.2m – 3.5m

Data Streams
320×240 16-bit depth @ 30 frames/sec
640×480 32-bit colour@ 30 frames/sec
16-bit audio @ 16 kHz

Skeletal Tracking System
Tracks up to 6 people, including 2 active players
Tracks 20 joints per active player
Ability to map active players to Live Avatars

Audio System
Live party chat and in-game voice chat (requires Xbox Live Gold Membership)
Echo cancellation system enhances voice input
Speech recognition in multiple

If these specs are accurate then Microsoft’s motion-control device is less impressive than some experts thought . When you have a moment, please let me know what you think of these purported Kinect specs.

Source via CrunchGear

Two Excellent Portal 2 Videos

Here are a pair of excellent Portal 2 videos for your drooling pleasure. As I mentioned in Coffee Talk #162, I didn’t have time to see the game at E3 2010, which totally bummed me out. The good news is that I can enjoy these videos with you and disccus ’em here! I know a few of you are Portal fans, so kindly check out these clips and let me know what you think (please)!

Tetsuya Nomura Talks The 3rd Birthday

I am incredibly psyched for Square Enix’s The 3rd Birthday, the not-quite-a-sequel to Parasite Eve. I was big fan of the first Parasite Eve game, but was disappointed in the second. I’m hoping director Tetsuya Nomura can bring the magic back for the series’ third chapter. In a recent interview with Famitsu, Nomura said:

The plan for this game was written many years back. We felt that we’d need a system that would show a uniqueness from the TPS (third person shooter) games that were being released in abundance overseas, and we came up with the Overdive system. But now a variety of TPS games are coming out. We felt that we’d need something more unique for this title, and we recently decided to add [the clothing system]. It’s something that could not be done with a rugged main character — something that would only work with Aya.

There are many who call it Parasite Eve 3. However, it’s not a sequel in the Parasite Eve series but a new piece of content called The 3rd Birthday. The tense battles that have a horror-action style, the event scenes which aim to be the highest level on PSP, the cut-ins that are made with overseas movies in mind — we believe you’ll be able to enjoy a somewhat adult world.

As much as I respect Nomura and love his games, I’m ignoring his statement that this isn’t a sequel. I don’t see how anyone can think this isn’t Parasite Eve 3. That aside, I can’t wait for this game! Anyone with me?

Source

Bloomberg Says the iPhone Will Hit Verizon in January 2011

In the latest string of iPhone-headed-to-Verizon rumors, Bloomberg has cited two sources that claim Apple’s wildly popular super phone is headed for America’s largest mobile network. Here’s the quote:

Verizon Wireless, the largest U.S. mobile-phone company, will start selling Apple Inc.’s iPhone next year, ending AT&T Inc.’s exclusive hold on the smartphone in the U.S., two people familiar with the plans said.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve become immune to these rumors. While I’d love to have a fully functional iPhone 4 on any major mobile network that’s not AT&T, these rumors are becoming a bit much.

How do you ladies and gents feel about the latest iPhone/Verizon rumor? You think this one is legit? Are you still dreaming about an iPhone on a superior network? Or are you tired of being teased?

Source

PlayStation 3 is Profitable After Three Years

Here’s some interesting ammunition for PS3 fanboys to use in the console wars — Sony is finally making money on PlayStation 3 hardware sales. Normally, console companies follow the razor-and-blade model, initially losing money on hardware (razor) and making it up in software (blades). As manufacturing becomes more efficient and die shrinks lead to cheaper silicon, consoles become cheaper to make. Sony is at the point where it’s making money on console sales instead of losing it. In an interview with IGN UK Sony Computer Entertainment president Shuhei Yoshida said:

This year is the first time that we are able to cover the cost of the PlayStation 3. We aren’t making huge money from hardware, but we aren’t bleeding like we used to.

The news is great for Sony and even greater for message board fodder. The Internets are already blowing up with the news…and I still don’t understand why. It’s great for the company, but I don’t understand why it matters to Joe the Gamer (Joe the Plumber’s nephew). That said, the flame wars are amusing. Fore!!!

Source

Hulu Plus Available on iPhone and iPad, Consoles Coming Soon

Hulu has revealed details on its “Hulu Plus” premium service, which soft launched today for the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. The service costs $9.99 per month and includes hundreds of popular televisions shows, as well as  a broad selection of movies. The teaser site for Hulu Plus says that it’s coming soon for Sony Playstation 3 and is due for Xbox 360 in early 2011.

Hulu Plus seems like a fantastic choice for television junkies on the run. I know a lot of you are high on Netflix for consoles; that service seems like a better choice for movies. That said, I’m sure Hulu will improve its movie selection and as a frequent traveler I love the portability of Hulu Plus.

What do you guys and dolls think of the service? Would a Hulu/Netflix combo be enough for you to cancel your cable or satellite service?

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Coffee Talk#167: Who’s Your Favorite Boutique Publisher?

Here’s another simple Coffee Talk topic for you: who’s your favorite small publisher? In the gaming industry, it seems like every other story is about Activision or Electronic Arts, but smaller publishers are important to the business as well. I love that Atlus bring quirky Japanese games to America. I love that Nicalis helps small games like Cave Story get attention.

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the NXT season one rookies being renamed “The Nexus”, the stupidity of penalty-kick shootouts, or class action suits against Apple, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Here’s another simple Coffee Talk topic for you: who’s your favorite small publisher? In the gaming industry, it seems like every other story is about Activision or Electronic Arts, but smaller publishers are important to the business as well. I love that Atlus bring quirky Japanese games to America. I love that Nicalis helps small games like Cave Story get attention. Small publishers give gamers access to lesser known games and developers. Publishers like Atlus and Nicalis add variety and character to a cookie-cutter business.

As for my favorite boutique publisher, I’m going to go with NIS America. I love Nippon Ichi Software games, especially Disgaea and its various spin-offs. The company brings over loads of great RPGs that are different, cute, and fun. Plus, prinnies are awesome.

Now it’s your turn! Who’s your favorite small publisher?

Will Pron Usher in the Age of HTML5?

[Warning: This story contains an image of adult actresses in bras and panties — possibly NSFW.] Hundreds of companies and millions of consumers are waiting for the Internet to exploit the advantages of HTML5. A huge, but relatively undiscussed factor, in phasing out Adobe Flash and adopting HTML5 is the adult entertainment industry. Let’s face it, for millions of people the Internet is for porn. At least one adult movie publisher can’t wait for HTML5 to proliferate. In an interview with Conceivably Tech, Digital Playground founder and director Ali Joone said:

HTML 5 is the future. We are waiting for browsers to catch up. As soon as they are ready, we will move everything to HTML 5.

Mobile browsers run HTML 5 very well. Flash brings everything to a crawl and has an impact on battery life. With HTML 5, there is no reason to show our content in Flash.

A lot of people believe that Blu-Ray succeeded over HD-DVD because of gamers and adult videos. Perhaps the war for Internet video will be determined by similar factors. Do you think the adult entertainment industry will spell the end of Adobe Flash? Will adult movie directors and actresses band together to push HTML5? Perhaps I should take a trip to the Valley and do some investigative journalism….

Source via Slashdot

Sony Details PlayStation 3 Firmware 3.40 Update

Sony Computer Entertainment America just sent out a press release with details on PS3 firmware update 3.40. The update includes the following:

  • PlayStation Plus: A new subscription service package on PlayStation Network, PlayStation Plus offers gamers exclusive services and content on June 29, 2010, worldwide. PlayStation Network users will be able to purchase membership* to PlayStation Plus, providing members with new options to enhance their gaming experience and enable them to gain a special set of features and content. All PlayStation Network users will continue to have free access to its unmatched and expanding suite of new and exclusive content, services and community focused tools – including online game play – while PlayStation Plus subscribers will gain access to an exclusive and expanding set of evolving features, content and functionality.
  • Photo Gallery: A new network based photo sharing feature is now available on the Photo Gallery. The enhancement allows PS3 users to upload, browse and comment on photos on sites such as Facebook and Picasa Web Album. PS3 users can also opt to share their photos between their PlayStation Network friends.
  • Video Editor & Uploader: Video Editor and Uploader is a new function found on the XrossMediaBar (XMB), which enables users to edit, save and upload video files stored on the PS3 system to sites such as Facebook or YouTube.
  • Five Star Rating Support: Users can rate PlayStation Store content they have purchased with one to five star ratings.
  • Power Save Settings: The default setting for PS3 System Auto-Off will be set at two hours, providing users with additional power save options and further improving power save features on the PS3 system.

The company is also updating its Facebook application. Here’s the skinny on that:

In addition to the latest features introduced in PS3 system software update (v3.40), a separate, new PlayStation Network application will be made available on Facebook Platform. This builds upon what was previously launched with Trophies and the ability to share purchases from the PlayStation Store. Users can further integrate their PlayStation Network and Facebook accounts with this new application. The application allows them to display their PlayStation Network profile on Facebook, find out which of their Facebook friends have a PlayStation Network account and send them a PlayStation Network friend request, view the PlayStation Network friends’ online status, and add the PlayStation Network application tab on their Facebook Profile.

As always, I’d love to hear what you think of these new features. Any of ’em have you excited?