Over the last two days I have been mulling over the Microsoft announcement of Natal. I barely covered it the first time in my post “Xbox 360 is The Undisputed King Of Content” but it really struck a note in my brain. This technology is amazing and far more than it appears to be.
From Concept, To Reality
When Microsoft announced “Surface” it took the world by surprise. The fact that Microsoft was able to keep it completely under wraps during it’s development is a testament to it’s awesomeness. When Natal was announced on Monday it was the same situation, a very forward thinking technology that is the envy of the world.
Surface has been replicated by many different individuals, companies, and even improved upon. However it is not the “original”. While it is the first product on the market, the idea came from Minority Report where Tom Cruise wore gloves to use it. Microsoft improved on the idea and took away the gloves.
We all know that Nintendo’s Wii was the first game console to use motion controllers. Everyone expected that eventually Sony and Microsoft would follow it up with a motion controller of their own and Sony did not disappoint. Sony took the most logical route and created a motion controller but Microsoft took a step back and “removed the glove”.
There is no question about it, this technology is more than groundbreaking. It is not just about motion or even selling more game consoles. Gamers are well known for being big spenders even in a weak economy, and they will eagerly purchase upgrades. This is the important part because to make a technology cheaper you need to mass produce it and sell it like crazy. The more you sell, the cheaper it is to make.
Xbox users are guinea pigs
Natal’s final destination is not the Xbox, it’s just a detour on it’s way to everything thing else in your home. The implications of this technology are mind blowing. This is not about video games or even trying to one-up Nintendo. It is about selling a new technology mainstream, getting very widespread adoption, then getting it into every gadget we own.
Motion Control, Face Recognition, Voice Recognition, individually these are technologies that are being worked on around the world. Natal implements each of these technologies and by introducing it to a game console, we know they are serious about it. Xbox users complain endlessly when something is not working the way it should. Any visit to Major Nelson’s blog will tell you that they are not easily satisfied and will find each and every bug in it. They will make it perfect for every other application and device we have yet to see.
The Disabled
People without full usage of their body find it difficult to use computers especially when the problem is with their hands. Natal will continue to evolve and as it does the disabled could find themselves winking their left eyes instead of trying to click a mouse. Maybe even moving their tongue to control the mouse.
These are things that inventors have been working on for years but have had limited success. Development resources are very expensive and unless you have a lot of people to buy them your audience is too narrow to make it cheap. With millions of Xbox users buying it they will have the capability to bring the disabled something that others have only dreamed of.
Copycats
Remember when you were a kid and your parents told you that copying is a form of flattery? Microsoft has experienced this with Surface and now even as you read this people are trying to copy Natal in their basements. I am sure that Microsoft is on a fast track with this one but it is very possible that they won’t be the first to market with this technology.
The best part about others copying technology is that everyone has a different way to think and do things. This could mean that right now something even better is being scribbled on a napkin in a restaurant some where.
It’s In The Details
Another thing they have done right is to hire the Wii hacker himself, Johnny Chung Lee. While he admits that he is not responsible for anything we have seen in Natal he is working on the Microsoft team to develop it. Microsoft has rounded a corner and is now truly innovating and hiring the right people to make it possible.
How soon will we see Natal on the shelves at Best Buy? Currently Microsoft is being pretty quiet on that one but have hinted at 2010. At that point it would make sense to see it available for Christmas time next year.
Video courtesy of Engadget
