In the 1980s “The Clapper” worked with sound to allow lazy people to turn lights on and off without having to get up to do so. Now Crestron is looking to help simply our daily lives in a similar way – but by actually using some motion. Read the rest of this entry »
There is no promise of health benefits with the game controller that Ben Hecks came up with, but we’re calling it out as a Kinetic(Mis)Shift for just taking gamers in the wrong direction. Instead of encouraging gamers to get up and get moving, Hecks created the Hot Pockets extruder that attached to a game controller – allowing a player to eat without having to actually stop playing. It features a manual slider to even push food forward – thus making it a true step backward at least as far as fitness and gaming goes.
[Via Ubergizmo: Xbox 360 controller holds your snack for uninterrupted gaming]
Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits
According to a recent survey of people aged 50 and up in the U.K., one in 25 uses a video game to exercise. Of course, we aren’t talking about the latest Grand Theft Auto or Call of Duty, but the popular Nintendo Wii and its Wii Fit accessories and games. While the survey specifically targets segments of the U.K. population past middle age, the results mirror similar surveys that have been conducted stateside since the Wii Fit exploded onto the scene; the Wii has been a been a hit with casual gamers thanks to the active movements and low learning curve required. And, Microsoft and Sony have recently entered the scene with their Xbox Kinect and PlayStation Move products and fitness-related titles.
As we have pointed out, video games are not a substitute for good-old exercise. However, according to a CNN report, the light intensity is ideal for older adults, particularly with systems that require full-body movements. These movement-based games are also great for those who never engage in any form of exercise. As we have reported in the past, institutions such as schools in Alabama and Iowa are using the Wii as part of their physical education curriculum to get kids active and help fight childhood obesity.
[Via The Huffington Post: More Post 50s Use Video Games To Exercise]
While fitness video games could be a fad down here on earth, the Microsoft for Kinect for Xbox 360 could boldly go where only a few have gone before – namely outer space. The video game system could help astronauts stay a little fitter, thanks to the body tracking camera system built into the game controller’s sensor.
This could help astronauts better calculate their weight in zero gravity, something very important as those in sapce can lose up to 15 percent of their body mass because the muscles tend to develop atrophy due to lack of use. The crews already spend up to two hours a day exercising, but until recently there has been no way to measure weight post-workout.
Now the Kinect might just do the trick!
[Via New Scientist: Kinect weighs astronauts just by looking at them]
There is no denying that the Kinect for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is a hit. It reportedly holds the Guinness World Record for being the best-selling consumer electronics device, and it has done a great job transforming video games into slightly more active activities. No one is going to argue that games will get anyone fit, but getting moving can’t hurt. Microsoft had previously announced it was bringing the Kinect to the PC, and now it seems that all new Xbox games will be required to offer Kinect support – and if rumors are true the Kinect will be built-in on the future Xbox 720. While this could just include voice support, which won’t get anyone off the couch and actually could make matters worse, we can’t help but think that maybe games will help America get back on a fitness track after all!
Technology has long been in the classroom, and soon it could be in gym class as well. Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley introduced legislation last week designed to encourage the use of technology in physical education classes, and the bill is named for Olympic gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson, who hails from West Des Moines. Read the rest of this entry »
(Click image for a closer view)
Take a very good look at the picture above. On the left is Impulse Technology’s Trazer Interactive Fitness machine, while the one on the right is the Nintendo Wii in action. Do they look the same, because Impulse Technology has filed a lawsuit against Nintendo – along with several third-party game development studios, for violating a 1996 patent for an “interactive system for measuring physiological exertion.” According to Joystiq.com the suit is reportedly based on the “weight-tracking Wii Balance board (and the games which use it).”
Impulse Technology has claimed that the Wii too closely resembles the Trazer Interactive Fitness machine. Now what is curious is that the Wii was launched in 2005 and the Wii Balance Board came out in 2007, so why the delay until late 2011? Could it be that Impulse filed a similar suit against Microsoft over the Kinect this past July and is just covering all bases?
[Via Joystiq: Impulse Technology suing Nintendo for patent infringement]
The world of video games has long seen a split between the consoles and the PC. And despite the rumors that PC gaming is dead, it is very much alive and well. The rumors have been greatly exaggerated, especially as the PC will soon get a boost from the Microsoft Kinect. This is really no surprise as Microsoft entered the gaming arena as a PC software developer and publisher, as well as creating a variety of hardware for the PC.
There are already devices that we’ve covered that allow a PC to be used with a bike trainer, golf simulator or other devices, but where the PC has lagged behind in recent years is with motion control that makes gaming fitness possible. Now Microsoft is offering a true game changer as the Kinect will arrive on the PC next year.
It looks like the music won’t stop, as Majesco Entertainment has announced that Zumba Fitness 2 has arrived for the Nintento Wii. The original game was the number one fitness title of the year, selling more than four million copies, and now the sequel builds on that and promises to take it to the next level, getting gamers moving.
Zumba Fitness 2 features new music tracks, electrifying choreography, new venues and double the number of dance styles from the original video game, inviting players to party their way into shape with a fun and proven program. The game sees the return of presenters Beto, Tanya Beardsley and Gina Grant as they guide players through each exhilarating routine, ranging from Merengue and Hip-Hop to Bollywood and Latin Pop. And for the first time, players can customize their own class with their favorite routines and track calories burned. Video after the jump
Last year Microsoft sold 10 million of its hands free controllers for the Xbox 360, making it a very Kinect’ed Christmas. And instead of sitting on its hands free Kinect all year, Microsoft – along with many third party developers – are offering the promise of another big season. The Wall Street Journal reported this week that by holiday Microsoft will have 75 titles that offer the promise to get off the couch for gamers. Read the rest of this entry »
If you don’t have a PlayStation Move now you should move on over to the store and pick one up. Sony has announced that beginning this week it will be offering a Move bundle. For about $100 you can get the PlayStation Move controller, PlayStation Eye camera and two Move-compatible titles, Sports Champions and Medieval Moves: Deadmund’s Quest.
Sports Champions remains a classic fan-favorite Move title and includes six challenging events including Disc Golf, Gladiator Duel, Beach Volleyball, Archery, Table Tennis and Bocce; while Medieval Moves is an action-adventure game that has been designed specifically for PlayStation Move. Gamers must help Prince Edmund protect his kingdom against the evil sorcerer Morgrimm and his army of skeletons. And instead of mere button mashing, gamers will use the PS Move motion controller to sword fight, shoot arrows, and fling throwing stars in your epic battles. This one also offers full 3D support, so break out the glasses if got ‘em!
All you’ll need is a TV and the PlayStation 3 of course, but for $99.99 MSPR this is a good way to get your inner gamer off the couch and moving!
Microsoft and Ubisoft have provided a few more details for its Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012, which will officially launch tomorrow, via the new YouTube video (above). The fitness/sports game looks to build on the past success of the Your Shape Fitness franchise and once again promises to help gamers get off the couch and get a little more fit via the Kinect for the Microsoft Xbox 360. Never a bad thing.
You can dance… for inspiration. While the Material Girl sang that lyric back in the 1980s, today you can dance for fitness. And you don’t have to head to a club either. The soon to be released Zumba Fitness 2 from Majesco Entertainment will let you strut your stuff with 24 dance styles.
Zumba Fitness 2 promises to get you moving with Zumba creator Beto and international celebrity instructors Tanya Beardsley and Gina Grant as they guide you through exhilarating choreography that spans 32 sizzling new tracks and 24 different international dance styles. Whether you’re playing in Single Song, Full Class or Zumba Party mode that supports up to four dancers, you’ll have a blast with this unique dance fitness experience that shapes, tones and transforms you body and almost forget you’re not working out.
