Canesta scores its 37th U.S. patent for gesture-control technology
Maybe I’m paranoid, but I can smell a legal battle coming in gesture control for TVs, computers, game consoles and other gadgets.
Maybe it’s because Canesta is soon to announce its 37th patent. Normally, that wouldn’t be a big deal, but innovations in user-interfaces are hot right now. Also, user interfaces for smartphones have already sparked legal disputes between Apple and Palm. Basically, Palm is using multi-touch screens — which Apple says it patented — for… Continue Reading
Sources confirm Microsoft is buying 3DV Systems
A report surfaced last week that Microsoft was buying 3DV Systems, a company that makes motion-detection technology, for $35 million. My sources confirm that this is true.
Microsoft and 3DV declined to comment to me last week.
Motion-detection will be big for the future direction of Microsoft, as it reacts to the Nintendo Wii, which revolutionized the game console industry with its motion detection technology.
As I’ve mentioned, buying 3DV would be the opening gambit in a next-generation user… Continue Reading
Microsoft in talks to buy 3DV Systems?
Anxious to outdo the Nintendo Wii, Microsoft is reportedly in talks to acquire 3DV Systems of Israel.
3DV is one of the companies that’s developing a next-generation user interface for games that goes beyond what the Wii motion-sensing controller can do. Israeli site Haaretz reported today that Microsoft plans to buy 3DV for $35 million.
That’s a pretty small amount, considering 3DV has raised $38.5 million. 3DV’s investors include Elron, a member of Nochi Dankner’s IDB group,… Continue Reading
Reactrix shutters — but interactive ads are still coming to a floor near you
Reactrix Systems, a company specializing in interactive projected advertisements in malls and movie theaters, has folded despite $75 million in venture backing. Last month, the Redwood City, Calif. company spent what remained of a $45 million fourth-round of funding received in 2006, and has so far been unable to sell off its technology and other assets, reports VentureWire.
This is a shame, considering how downright cool its premise seemed to be. Ads served by Reactrix (most… Continue Reading
3DV fleshes out gesture-based gaming plans, hires North American chief
Inspired by the Nintendo Wii’s clever wand-like game controller, gesture-recognition start-ups are coming out of the woodwork. Israel’s 3DV Systems is one of the contenders and it is showing more of its cards.
The Yokne’am, Israel company said it plans to launch a low-cost gesture-recognition camera for game purposes in 2009. And it has hired a well-known video game veteran as its general manager for the North American market. Charles Bellfield, the new hire, has worked… Continue Reading
Throw away the Wii — 3D sensing technology due within a year, says SoftKinetic
While we’ve written several times recently about the progress of next-generation, camera-based game control technologies, including the hefty funding received by Prime Sense and an earlier update on several competing companies, there’s one detail we’ve edged around: When you’ll get to use them for yourself.
That’s because most of the companies developing gesture recognition technology aren’t sure, themselves. The firms developing the 3D cameras that make motion-sensing gaming possible have to work through intermediaries to… Continue Reading