"The future of home entertainment has a new name: Xbox 360."
It's a big call, but when you consider it in light of one of the best E3 Press Conferences in recent years, it's not that hard to believe. The Xbox 360 briefing "rocked, tweeted, revved and awakened the world to a new era of fun and entertainment" - with all eyes on the freshly-announced Project Natal controller-free gaming.

Rumours had been floating around that MS were going to launch a "motion-sensing camera" type peripheral... but nobody expected Project Natal.

Don Mattrick, senior vice president for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft, and a man who could use a good haircut, explains:

“Today with cultural visionaries at our side and controller-free gaming on our horizon, Xbox 360 authored a new page in home entertainment history. For us, this E3 is about breaking down barriers — between generations, between games and entertainment, and most importantly, between video game players and everyone else — in a way that only Xbox 360 can.”

So - without further ado, here's the lowdown on Project Natal!

Download the Xbox 360 'Project Natal' Footage

“Project Natal”: No Strings (or Controllers) Attached
Unveiled for the first time to the public was “Project Natal,” pronounced “nuh-tall” a code name for a revolutionary new way to play: no controller required. See a ball? Kick it, hit it, trap it or catch it. If you know how to move your hands, shake your hips or speak, you and your friends can jump into the fun. The only experience needed is life experience.

The sensor peripheral is the world's first to combine a depth sensor, RGB camera, multi-array microphone and a custom processor which runs proprietary software - adding up into one handy dandy little device. Unlike conventional 2D cameras and controllers, Project Natal will track your full body movement in proper 3D, responding to commands, directions - and even an emotional shift in your voice (as well as reacting to what you're saying, rather than just key words).

The sensor is not light-dependent and includes facial recognition software, so it will know which person is you - just by looking at your face.

Steven Spielberg, visionary director and producer was invited on stage to introduce the product:

“The next step in interactive entertainment is to make the controller disappear. With ‘Project Natal,’ we’ll see games that bring everyone together through technology that actually recognises us.”

Download the Xbox 360 'Movies' Footage

Movies in an Instant

Continuing a pioneering effort that began with the introduction of the industry’s first video marketplace in November 2006 and broke new ground with the announcement of the first live TV straight from a gaming console last week in the U.K., Microsoft today announced that Xbox would deliver yet another first-to-the-world: instant on 1080p movies with 5.1 surround sound — direct to consoles connected to compatible HD TVs through the Xbox LIVE social entertainment network. The service also scales to suits different broadband speeds so there are no interruptions to movie viewing.

Now - before you stop reading, I have some good news for you. When Microsoft announce that they are more than doubling the number of markets where you can get Xbox Live movies - from 8 to 18 - we can confirm that yes, that does include Australia. And while there's no set date just yet, an Xbox spokesperson has told me that we can expect the functionality "before Christmas".


Movies on your console
So - what are we getting? Instant movies - no discs, no waiting for downloads, no delays. "Get the selection of a video store, the best video clarity available and the convenience of on-demand, only on Xbox 360." Other countries being introduced to the deal are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland, with Microsoft confirming that Xbox LIVE members in these markets will be given access to "instant" movies on 1080p.

Download the Xbox 360 'Social Networking' Footage

The Best of the Internet, Custom-Made for Your TV

“We are always asking ourselves how to make the TV more social,” said John Schappert, corporate vice president of Interactive Entertainment LIVE, Software and Studios at Microsoft. “By bringing Facebook to Xbox LIVE, we’re not only extending the walls of your living room beyond your home to your friends in different corners of the world, we’re creating the definitive social network, uniting more than 200 million people to share status updates, pictures, thoughts on music and the world’s best online gaming experience.”

Whether you're up for grooving, partying, or simply connecting with a mate, Xbox 360 has you covered, announcing that both Facebook and Twitter will be tailor-made for your TV, brought to your couch as easily as the dashboard.


Facebook and Twitter
You'll be connected to your friends virtually anytime, anywhere - and it's not just updating your status and sharing photos - with the introduction of Facebook Connect, you'll be able to share your greatest moments in gaming, too. It'll simply be a matter of posting updates and even screenshots directly from supported games to your Facebook account, with first cab off the rank named as the future version of golfing classic, Tiger Woods PGA Tour.

With all of that in store, it's almost a little surprising that people still use their consoles for gaming!