Bill Gates: Project Natal is Not Just for Gaming

Everyone has been buzzing about Microsoft's Project Natal, the company's endeavor to bring motion sensors to gaming. Today we learn that Natal isn't just for gaming or the Xbox 360 - it's coming to PCs too.

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates spoke to CNet's Ina Fried this week about a world in which depth-sensing cameras such as the one Microsoft is adding to the Xbox allow people to control their PCs, game devices, and televisions. Sounds pretty neat, right?

Gates went on to give an example of this technology that Microsoft is currently working on, calling it "this depth sensor thing" that we'll see next year. However what's interesting is, according to CNet, Gates said the technology is not just for games, "but for media consumption as a whole, and even if they connect it up to Windows PCs for interacting in terms of meetings, and collaboration, and communication."

Windows 8, anyone?

For the full interview, head on over to CNet.

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There are 31 Comments. B

Top Comments

19

tenor77 , July 16, 2009 12:23 AM

Now we can finally have minority report controls.

Or truly interactive porn.
17

crystalized , July 16, 2009 12:47 AM

tenor77Now we can finally have [...] or truly interactive porn.

Now thats something i would pay for!!
11

tenor77 , July 16, 2009 1:16 AM

brendano257I'm sorry, but that would be a truly pathetic waste of such an interesting technology.

Search your feelings. You know it to be true!

Other Comments

3

reverendxero , July 16, 2009 12:15 AM

TIGHT!
3

ZeroTech , July 16, 2009 12:22 AM

I saw the Demo related to the picture above when it was shown at E3. Their ideas on what to do with it are amazing.
I can't wait until XNA supports this new device.
19

tenor77 , July 16, 2009 12:23 AM

Now we can finally have minority report controls.

Or truly interactive porn.
17

crystalized , July 16, 2009 12:47 AM

tenor77Now we can finally have [...] or truly interactive porn.

Now thats something i would pay for!!
-20

brendano257 , July 16, 2009 12:51 AM

crystalizedNow thats something i would pay for!!

I'm sorry, but that would be a truly pathetic waste of such an interesting technology.
9

raptor550 , July 16, 2009 1:01 AM

brendano257I'm sorry, but that would be a truly pathetic waste of such an interesting technology.

Some of us actually have a sex drive. Plus we all know the internet is full of advertisements and porn, at least we can use 50% of it now.
10

tommysch , July 16, 2009 1:05 AM

brendano257I'm sorry, but that would be a truly pathetic waste of such an interesting technology.

We are talking about the backbone of the modern internet... Be more respectful kid. And why would google be so succesful if it wasnt for the porn?
11

tenor77 , July 16, 2009 1:16 AM

brendano257I'm sorry, but that would be a truly pathetic waste of such an interesting technology.

Search your feelings. You know it to be true!
7

crom , July 16, 2009 1:21 AM

Now we can all spaz out in front of our computers and look like Ballmer.
3

computabug , July 16, 2009 2:15 AM

cromNow we can all spaz out in front of our computers and look like Ballmer.

Private lessons, anyone?
1

tacoslave , July 16, 2009 2:41 AM

left 4 dead with interactive bite marks yah (with rapeable witches? what a fetish
-1

audioee , July 16, 2009 2:42 AM

We all know MS won't be able to include this in an OS, because the EU will just sue them for it.

So on that note, any one know of or have any idea what the target MSRP will be?
0

Greg_77 , July 16, 2009 2:49 AM

I am looking forward to seeing people freak out in front of their TV and PC. But I have to say, this technology looks promising. When play a movie, certain movements could mean "play", "stop" and "fast forward". I don't see its purpose on a PC, but a HTPC could really take advantage of it. I want to see what purposes come out for this technology. This could be the future of input devices. When the mouse came out, many people thought it was a gimmick. Maybe Natal will be similar at its inception.
0

Greg_77 , July 16, 2009 2:52 AM

Oh well, in my previous comment where I say "I don't see its purpose on a PC, but a HTPC could really take advantage of it." I meant to say general purpose PC, not any PC. I make it seem as if a HTPC is not a PC.
4

pirateboy , July 16, 2009 2:53 AM

crystalizedNow thats something i would pay for!!

don't we have interactive porn already? fap fap fap?
3

reininop , July 16, 2009 3:19 AM

Minority Report meets 1984. It would be cool if it works, but it's also sort of creepy to think of the amount of networked camera's that can literally map out rooms, faces, etc all potentially being accessible. I'm not by any means worried about this happening with Natal, but it's another step toward an Orwellian world. Big Brother is watching you...
0

chaohsiangchen , July 16, 2009 3:52 AM

Greg_77Oh well, in my previous comment where I say "I don't see its purpose on a PC, but a HTPC could really take advantage of it." I meant to say general purpose PC, not any PC. I make it seem as if a HTPC is not a PC.

I can already think of many use of Project Natal in business environment. If paired with proper software, it can be great tool for YouTube or podcasting crowd. However, I would not give up my Logitech G5, gaming keyboard or game controller just yet. If I want physical movement for fun, I'll go to a Salsa club and find girls to dance with.

However, I do think PC game gun is a great idea.
0

Hellcatm , July 16, 2009 4:06 AM

Damn I'm good. The first day I saw Natal I said they better use it for the PC as well. This would be great, now if only they can work on top notch speech recognition to go with it it would be perfect.
1

SpadeM , July 16, 2009 4:35 AM

Windows 8 .. hmmm I'd take WinFS first and Natal second for that one.
0

cracklint , July 16, 2009 4:39 AM

tenor77Now we can finally have minority report controls.Or truly interactive porn.

As long as the interactive character doesn't snicker at the camera's input

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