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300°

Apple reportedly acquiring the company behind Microsoft’s Kinect sensor | The verge

Apple has reportedly acquired PrimeSense, an Israeli fabless semiconductor company, for $345 million. Israeli newspaper Calcalist claims Apple has finalized the acquisition, with plans for an announcement within the next two weeks. Primesense worked with Microsoft to include its technology, chips, and designs inside the first Kinect sensor for the Xbox 360, but Microsoft opted to build its latest Xbox One Kinect sensor without Primesense’s help. Microsoft’s changes led Primesense to focus on retail, robotics, and healthcare industries, alongside gaming and living room tech.

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Bigpappy3810d ago
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Bigpappy3810d ago
MorePowerOfGreen3810d ago (Edited 3810d ago )

Looks like no one wants to be left in the dust with this revolutionary future tech assuming this is true.

Gazondaily3809d ago

Lol revolutionary is a bit much.

Anyway, PrimeSense and Apple collaborating together....*shivers* Most evil collaboration since these guys:

http://i2.kym-cdn.com/entri...

Blackdeath_6633809d ago

no apple sees the potential and wants to use it for a purpose the kinect is actually GOOD at of which gaming is not.why the hell MS is suing the kinect for games is beyond me out of all the possible applications for kinect gaming is the bottom of the list if you look at all the things kinect is good at none of it has to do with gaming

P0werVR3809d ago (Edited 3809d ago )

^

Not for gaming, but revolutionary in general. The technology in the Kinect is revolutionary and there is no denying that. It will be an innovation in comparison to some sci-fi movies utilizing the exact features with it's precision voice recognition and sensors.

But this is ONLY the beginning, and expecting some first party studio games making great use of it and some very interesting games. Look at Zoo Tycoon or Kinect sports. I hear elementary schools will be utilizing this.

Drekken3809d ago

Come on... This is funny. Link us to the rest of your stand up routine!

3-4-53809d ago

Are they buying them out to shut down that feature for xb1, therefore making it impossible for Microsoft to use that feature or part in newer models of the xb1?

rdgneoz33809d ago

"but Microsoft opted to build its latest Xbox One Kinect sensor without Primesense’s help"

They'll get any royalties that Primesense gets from 360 kinects sold, but they have nothing to gain from the xbox one.

nukeitall3809d ago

The technology that Ms uses for Kinect One is based on a completely different technology than what PrimeSense uses.

PrimeSense seems to only have been a quick way to get the original Kinect out. Kinect One is far more advanced, and has taken years of research to get it where it is today.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3809d ago
blackout3810d ago

If Microsoft thought it was worth buying then they would have bought them. Kinect 2 is a monster. Apple is late to this party. They better come up with something fast.

tkato3810d ago

Microsoft did use their service which IS a statement for their worth, Apple is probably cooking something..

Bigpappy3810d ago (Edited 3810d ago )

I agree. PrimeSense tried to work with Asus and I believe, at least one other tech company, to try and release a competing product. Apple is on a whole other level though. They have great R&D, and deep pockets. They can give M$ a run for their money. Would take some time though. This new Kinect is a completely different beast.

mcstorm3809d ago

I have to disagree about the apple R&D side they spend less and produces less than Microsoft and Google in there R&D.

That said though should be interesting to see what Apple come up with as Kinect 2 look like it could be even a step above what was shown with project Natal.

MajorAly3809d ago

What if Apple is buying Xbox division from Microsoft?

JohnnyTower3809d ago

Then they will jack the price and paint it white. Don't forget the Microtransactions....

Mystogan3809d ago (Edited 3809d ago )

They acquired a similar company which is Israeli based. Its called 3DV Systems

The Time of Flight technology in Kinect 2 comes from them. They had the superior technology so Microsoft decided to get them instead of primesense.

http://www.tgdaily.com/game...

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3809d ago
Evil_Abed3810d ago

I smell a lawsuit coming. Patent infringement, Apple is going to claim that Kinect 2 USS some patent that primesense owns or something. Google/Motorola all over again.

Bigpappy3810d ago

Actually, M$ bought the original 3D motion cam creator (3D-Z). PrimeSense did make the main chip in the first Kinect though. But I don't know that they own many patents.

tkato3810d ago

What MS bought from them and what the kineckt is now are totally different things.

aviator1893810d ago

Even if primesense had any patents worth using and apple did buy them, microsoft and apple both have a long-term patent-sharing agreement that allows each company to use each other's patents for a heavy, heavy discount or for free.

ElementX3810d ago (Edited 3810d ago )

I can see it now.... the iConnect only $499.

kewlkat0073809d ago

Quick buy the domain name..

FrigidDARKNESS3810d ago

This is a very old article posted several months ago. Microsoft developed and patent their own tech. With Kinect 2.0

green3809d ago

The other article was posted when Apple where in talks to buy Primasense http://n4g.com/news/1314513...

And as i mentioned in that article "The chip in Kinect for the 360 was licenced from primasense but for Kinect 2, it was ditched and was completely designed and developed inhouse. The patents that both Kinect and Kinect 2 share were developed by 3DV systems which Microsoft acquired a few years back.

As a result, primasense does not receive any form payment for the technology used in Kinect 2 and if Apple acquired them neither will they.

http://www.engadget.com/201...

http://www.neogaf.com/forum...

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280°

Xbox's Preservation Step Sets A Much-Needed Example, Especially For Nintendo

Hanzla from eXputer inquires: "If Xbox can care about preserving its games and legacy, what exactly is wrong with Nintendo, trying to kill game preservation single-handedly?"

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purple10110d ago

Ahh yes the good old game preservation of saving all your games to a removable hhd on the Xbox 360, taking it round your mates house, setting up multiple tvs to
Be met with “save data corrupted, please re download”

Or how about removing 360 games
From the store
, download them now or else, and, better hope to god that save data doesn’t corrupt, or it’s lost for ever

Nice one ☝️

Zeref9d ago

It's better than what Nintendo and Playstation is doing. It might not be perfect but at least they are TRYING. Unlike the others.

DarXyde9d ago

Trying? Take off the blinders for a moment, mate.

1. A failure to preserve games is just that: a failure to preserve games. Don't try to sugarcoat it: NO ONE is doing it properly. Better than awful is nothing to write home about.

2. At the time of this comment, isn't it the case that you need an internet connection to play Xbox games even if you buy physical discs that are hardly in circulation anymore? I don't have a Series X and I can't verify, but I think that is correct. I'm fairly certain you can at least play PS5 games at version 1.0 (not much of a win really when many games require day one patches). I think Microsoft's all digital, licensing approach is by far more aggressive than anyone else's. They really try to push you to game pass where you lose your entire library by umm.... Skipping a month of payments.

I don't think anyone is doing it right whatsoever. Don't get me started on Nintendo, who goes after anyone looking to preserve their games better than they ever would with extreme litigation.

Don't be a simp for any of these companies. Get it together.

PhillyDonJawn9d ago (Edited 9d ago )

@DarX never speak on Xbox again. You lost all credibility with your internet connection comment. Smh you have 0 clue and misinformed yet speaking on something you don't no squat about.

Einhander19729d ago

What has Sony done exactly? You guys keep deflecting to Sony but I am not actually seeing any results, and ai am certain nothing that you can come up with even comes close to what Microsoft has done and what they have tried and failed to do, like tie all your disks to your account on xbone.

Microsoft removed their whole indie section when they moved to the xbone because they were going to only allow games on the service that came from a publisher, id@xbox started after xbone launched and it only exists because Sony embraced indie and Microsoft was forced to cancel their plans and reverse course.

And every single game that was part of games for windows live including disk games (I have gta 4 on disk that won't work) so hundreds of games that use that DRM no longer work unless the company themselves patched it out which of course very few did.

MrBaskerville9d ago

Not trying. Tried. they killed of the backcomp program years ago. They set something up again, but sounds like it's more of an attempt to save the current library on whatever they are planning next. With luck they save everything and more, but let's see. I could see them killing off parts of the OG xbox and 360 libraries. Can't imagine that they would allow us to play Forza 5-7 in the future.

With that said, I do like what they've done and really wish they could have done more.

shinoff21839d ago

Zeref

So killing off physical media is trying what exactly. Ms don't really give a fk if you think they do your kidding yourself.

Profchaos9d ago

They are not trying this team is established for forward compatability the team is. It interested in preserving Xbox or 360 games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 9d ago
isarai10d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref9d ago

Just because it's digital only doesn't mean you can't preserve it. Just put it on an external and you have the exact same functionality of what a disc does.

MrNinosan9d ago

Guess you're trolling, but if you actually think that's how it works, I'd recommend buying some braincells.

mkis0078d ago (Edited 8d ago )

Volitile vs nonvolitile data. A disc will not corrupt either. A drive can be corrupted.

Einhander197210d ago

This is just a scammy PR move to distract from the fact they are going digital only and trying to push streaming and subscriptions only.

No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft.

Without discs there is no preservation, preservation can't be done by the rights holders it can only be done by the consumers, anything else is a lie.

9d ago Replies(3)
Einhander19729d ago

Anyone remember xblig which Microsoft removed their whole 360 indie section removing hundreds of games from people?

9d ago
9d ago
Zeref9d ago

Do you know you can put your games on an external and preserve them that way? There are no benefits to discs. ZERO. Idk why some of you are still obsessed with them.

DarXyde9d ago

Because games like Persona 5 exist. It's STILL V1.00. On Playstation, that's a win because 1.00 is installed on the disc—no need to download anything.

If a game does not require any updates, it's all on the disc.

Extremely low bar in the modern era, of course. It's not much of a win by any stretch.

But for now, physical media does have a purpose, at least on Playstation.

Einhander19729d ago

That is factually not how game licensing works, try plugging your hard drive into someone else xbox, It's not going to work, and it won't work if the licensing servers ever go down.

Einhander19729d ago

Anyone remember games for windows live.

I have around a dozen games, some on Steam itself that will not work because Microsoft shut off the licensing servers.

BehindTheRows9d ago (Edited 9d ago )

I do. I STILL have games (Gears of War being the big one) I cannot access because Games for Windows LIVE is total garbage and no one has held Microsoft accountable.

Zeref9d ago (Edited 9d ago )

You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership.

Chevalier9d ago

"You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership."

Damn how many times do people got to explain your idiocy to you? You can take a copy of Persona 5 like someone used as an example and play that game on ANY console WITHOUT logging in which means I can lend the game to a friend without internet and they can play my game. Can you lend your hard drive to anyone without logging in for them to play? NOPE. That is a huge difference and if you think otherwise then sorry you're an idiot.

Tacoboto9d ago

"No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft."

Ubisoft is literally erasing games people bought from their libraries... My PS1-3 discs are useless on modern hardware. Nintendo's re-published and resold almost their entire Wii U library, and the eShop is completely dead with no BC mechanism in the Switch software. Microsoft publishes everything they make today day one on Steam and Xbox/Windows. Sony only brings to PC the titles they think you might want some years later and Nintendo won't even design a functional long-lasting joystick.

You're absolutely trolling and not serious if you think Microsoft today is the worst offender.

shinoff21839d ago

Yay steam

Not everyone fks with computers though. The disc is still the best way as a console player. Period.

Tacoboto8d ago

How do Sony and Nintendo feel about these discs from 2001-2013?

Don't be stupid, you know Xbox is the best at this today.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 8d ago
Hofstaderman9d ago

Nobody wants this. Sales or the lack of it in the case of XBOX is very telling. I wonder how the adorably all digital series X will fare. Adorably dismal perhaps?

crazyCoconuts9d ago

Only time will tell, but for from someone like me suspecting that Xbox is trying to gracefully exit the console market, that "forward compatibility" team is trying to get Xbox games playing on Windows PCs. I mean, it's nice that they're not planning on exiting with a "enjoy your games while the hardware still works" message, so that's nice. They still have a brand to protect via Microsoft so probably feel obligated to have a better exit strategy.

Xeofate9d ago (Edited 9d ago )

That is not their plan, their plan is to transfer users accounts to the cloud.

Phil Spencer himself said as much a few months back, plans could have changed but I think people are reading way too much into one statement where Phil said he would allow Epic on xbox because he wants to be able to sell xbox games directly on other platforms. Aka, instead of selling Sea of Thives through PSN he wants to have an xbox store to sell his games on PlayStation without giving PlayStation any money.

Again, it's extremely unlikely that Phil plans to put PC on xbox and licensing would prevent them from just giving out other publishers games purchased on xbox copies of thier games on PC, Microsoft does not own their games.

crazyCoconuts8d ago

The thing that doesn't align with the cloud strategy is the giving up on exclusives. You'd still need strong exclusives for cloud streaming - it's still a "platform" , just with a lower upfront hardware investment. I feel like they've learned what PS learned with PSNow long ago. We're not ready to stream games and it's only gonna lose them money to try at this point

FinalFantasyFanatic8d ago

I would love that, I'd buy up some of the Xbox games if they could run on PC, like the Rare Replay, Lost Odyssey and Dead or Alive Ultimate, probably a pipe dream though.

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150°

Apple officially allows retro game emulators on the App Store

Retro gaming console emulator apps are now welcome on the Apple App Store and can even offer downloadable games.

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-Foxtrot17d ago

Nintendo is probably preparing their battle stations as we speak.

purple10117d ago (Edited 17d ago )

Yep most probably
Definitely infact

It’s just since apple got official dualsense support a while ago, (ios 14.5, it was 2 years ago now) I thought it useful to post here

fsfsxii16d ago

Lmao imagine thinking nintendo has a chance against Apple

Profchaos16d ago

The beaten quite a few prolific companies the past like universal so it's not unwinable

H917d ago

Nintendo be like: we were supposed to bully them together

120°

10 Weirdest Game Consoles of All Time

From systems that could keep your beer cool, to oddities trying to get in on the popularity of VHS and laserdisc, you’ve got some very, very weird video game consoles out there.

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darthv7219d ago

I had the LaserActive... it was a nice collectors piece but not very practical. Especially when it came to needing recapping. I think i paid all of about $50 for the floor model from an incredible Universe back in the day. I ended up selling it many years later for $300 at the time due to it needing a new laser and the aforementioned recapping.

An honorable mention not on the list would be the VM Labs Nuon. It basically looked like any regular DVD player but it had ports on it for controllers to play specific games. one of which is still exclusive to it with Tempest 3000. It also offered nuon enhanced DVD movies with extra content not accessible by regular players.

_Decadent_Descent18d ago

Wasn't there some KFC console, or am I mistaken?

CoNn3rB18d ago

It was announced but it never actually came out as far as I know