Motion-controller fans who don’t want to get into Wiimote modding now have a way of playing interactive internet games on their PCs with the Stix. No, not the ’70s band…it’s a new and very Wiimote-esque controller from GoLive2, touch sensitive and launched with a companion website that has hundreds of “free Web-based games,” whatever they may be like. The Stix 200 works with these games, while the 400 version looks like it also works with normal PC games. Available in August, press release below.
As an alternative to touchscreen control, Keynetik has designed a prototype motion-interface for portable devices that requires just a single hand to operate. Using multiple accelerometers, it can cleverly distinguish the user’s gestures from mere accidental “interference” motions, and even works whether you’re left- or right-handed. With control buttons resting under your fingertips on its curved chassis, its operation really is one-handed, so you’re free to do whatever you like with the other one. If you own a Nokia N95 and fancy some mono-mano action, you can try out the “RockNScroll” test version they’ve built. [Technabob]
Motus Corporation is working on a motion-based controller for PCs and current-gen consoles not named Wii. The Darwin controller promises to offer more realistic control than the Wiimote due to its more involved use of gyroscopes and accelerometers.
Now here is a great idea —a speaker that connects to your computer, iPod or any other MP3 player that can be controlled with a wave of the hand. Plus it gives off a “soft ambient glow.” According to the product site, the motion detection system allows you to adjust the volume or tune into a different FM radio station, but there is no mention of the ability to cycle through the tunes on your MP3 player. Surely a company wouldn’t go through the trouble of developing a motion activated MP3 speaker without incorporating this functionality right? Available for £45.95 ($94). [Product Site via GeekAlerts] More »
Just in time for the return of Harry Potter, Logitech lands its own magic wand, the MX Air mouse. It responds to the Freespace motion control technology when held aloft, especially when aimed at a Media Center PC or other “10-foot” PC application. Gesture controls are included: in a music app, a nudge to the left will turn down volume, a circle to the right will skip to the next track. On the desk, tracks movement via laser like other Logitech rechargeable mice, but it’s missing a scroll wheel. In place of that is—yup, you guessed it—a touch-sensitive scroll panel. galleryPost('LogitechMXAir', 4, 'Logitech MXAir'); More »
