http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWZt2vJaj28

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.

Creston Labs, the research arm of the engineering department, released the video above to show off how the new technology from Microsoft that takes the Kinect motion control system to any Windows-based PC. It could read Kinect gestures for a range of uses including PowerPoint presentations or just give everyone “Jedi-like” powers to dim or raise the lights in the room. So while it isn’t technically in the exercise space, to use it sure beats just clapping.

Crestron Official Website

[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

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]

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]

[Via Kotaku: Wave Hello: Microsoft's Requiring Kinect Functionality for All Future Apps Built for Xbox 360]

The Olympic champion says that incorporating technology in P.E. classes would get kids more excited about fitness and exercise, and the Shawn Johnson Fitness for Life Act – if passed – would provide grants to 10 universities to incorporate more technology into their respective master’s degree programs for physical education, and those schools would in turn partner with local school districts to develop fitness technology programs.

“You see how much they enjoy being on a Gameboy or being in front of a computer screen, and if you can incorporate that into exercise and physical activity, hopefully it will spark their interest enough to take that next step to leading a healthier lifestyle,” Johnson said during a conference call last week arranged by Braley’s office.

Johnson should also know that kids do like their video games, as she was the “star” of Shawn Johnson Gymnastics, which was published by Zoo Games for the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS in 2008.

(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]

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.

Here is what the Kinect for Windows Team had to say on the matter:

Since announcing a few weeks ago that the Kinect for Windows commercial program will launch in early 2012, we’ve been asked whether there will also be new Kinect hardware especially for Windows. The answer is yes; building on the existing Kinect for Xbox 360 device, we have optimized certain hardware components and made firmware adjustments which better enable PC-centric scenarios. Coupled with the numerous upgrades and improvements our team is making to the Software Development Kit (SDK) and runtime, the new hardware delivers features and functionality that Windows developers and Microsoft customers have been asking for.

Simple changes include shortening the USB cable to ensure reliability across a broad range of computers and the inclusion of a small dongle to improve coexistence with other USB peripherals.  Of particular interest to developers will be the new firmware which enables the depth camera to see objects as close as 50 centimeters in front of the device without losing accuracy or precision, with graceful degradation down to 40 centimeters.  “Near Mode” will enable a whole new class of “close up” applications, beyond the living room scenarios for Kinect for Xbox 360. This is one of the most requested features from the many developers and companies participating in our Kinect for Windows pilot program and folks commenting on our forums, and we’re pleased to deliver this, and more, at launch.

Another thing we’ve heard from our pilot customers is that companies exploring commercial uses of Kinect want to operate with the assurance of support and future innovation from Microsoft. As part of Microsoft’s deep commitment to NUI, we designed the Kinect for Windows commercial program to give licensed customers access to ongoing updates in both speech and human tracking (where Microsoft has been investing for years), in addition to providing fully supported Kinect hardware for Windows. We’ve been captivated by the countless creative ways companies worldwide envision how their businesses and industries can be revolutionized with Kinect, and are proud to be helping those companies to explore the profound implications NUI has for the future.

Microsoft also has just launched a new initiative, the Kinect Accelerator incubation project run by Microsoft BizSpark. I will be serving as a Mentor for this program, along with a number of other folks from Microsoft. BizSpark helps software startups through access to Microsoft software development tools, connection to key industry players (including investors) and by providing marketing visibility.  The Kinect Accelerator will give 10 tech-oriented companies using Kinect (on either Windows or Xbox360) an investment of $20,000 each, plus a number of other great perks. Applications are being accepted now through January 25th, 2012. At the end of the program, each company will have an opportunity to present at an Investor Demo Day to angel investors, venture capitalists, Microsoft executives (including me), media and industry influentials. I can’t wait to see what they (and maybe you?) come up with!

Craig Eisler
General Manager, Kinect for Windows

MSDN Blog: Kinect for Windows – Building the Future

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgguZwzYdK8

In Zumba Fitness 2 players can experience 32 new routines and music tracks with international beats that now include hits from today’s hot artists including Pitbull, Nicole Scherzinger and Yolanda Be Cool & DCup. Dance styles range from fan favorites including Salsa and Reggaeton to all new styles like Bollywood, Ragga, Latin Pop and Pasodoble, plus players can learn 24 different dance styles from all over the world.

An exclusive Zumba Fitness belt is included inside every box so gamers can holster their Wii Remote and naturally move to the music. The music won’t stop and neither should gamers looking to get with the beat.

Zumba Fitness Official Website

Many of these titles are aimed at the fitness crowd or have fitness as part of the selling point, and include games such as Just Dance 3, Just Dance Kids 2 and Your Shape Fitness Evolved, but there is also a trend going with just slightly more active – or should we say interactive – gaming. These include action games. And while these might not be quite the same as going out for a run or hitting the gym, for those long winter days ahead it still could help get gamers hearts pumping from a bit more activity.

[Via The Wall Street Journal: Can Microsoft’s Xbox Have Another Kinect Christmas, or Will It Be Coal All Around?]

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.

Your Shape Fitness Official Website

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brkDQL1h7iw

Dance Styles Include:

Zumba Fitness Official Website