How? Bluerays are just hd dvds. Kinect is a eyetoy 2.0. How is that a comparsion?

Take you fanboy goggles off for second and read up what the Kinect device can actually do then you would realise that this is no eyetoy update. Then after you have done that think of how this Device coupled with the software that comes with it can be incorporated in other technlogies.

For example remember the old "Intel inside" slogan what about "Kinect inside" but this sticker may be slapped on the side of your Telly or other device.

Nice try, welshbloke, but I just don't know if you'll get the kind of reasonable responses that you're looking for here.  

There are definitely parallels, but the tech in Kinect is much more ambitious in scope than Blu Ray, so that makes it a much bigger gamble.  Who knows if it will actually 'change the world' the way things like touch interfaces have.

One thing that it is NOT being used for, though, is as a trojan horse to push new tech on gamers.  Its completely optional for us, which is good because I sure can't (and don't want to right now) afford it right now but I can still fully enjoy my 360.  That's not a stealth troll on Sony, because only the most diehard of Sony fans would think that the price point of the PS3 at release (largely due to Blu Ray) had a hugely negative effect on its marketshare this gen.

Did you understand the comparisson?

Its like this, sony used ps3 to get blu ray mainstream for uses in other devices (computers, tv ( as in stand alone player) etc)

Microsoft uses xbox to get kinect mainstream for uses in other devices (computer, tv'c, maybe even phones/mobile devices)

I so wanted to call Kinect a trojan but for the reasons you pointed out I could not argue that point. Yes I believe it is more ambitious but I still think this is Microsofts attempt at getting this tech accepted by the back door. I also think they have ploughed a lot of cash into this not because of gaming but because of its future potential after all they have a guy in charge of this interface at Microsoft who seems to bridge the gap.

I have actually been a big fan of the "choice" approach that the 360 has adopted. I for one would never of used WiFi for gaming because of interferance in my home. That said my router has only just become an N type so now if I decide to buy another 360 for my home I could opt for WiFi although I am a huge fan of HomePlugs I probably would not bother.

Certainly, it is possible but it is also almost certain that you'll see several devices who makes similar controlling without using name Kinect. Vision, sound and body recognition have been available for many years so it isn't that hard to create almost exact copy of Kinect. Even without violating any patents owned by MS.Heck, it possible that you'll see similar controls everywhere some day without anybody using word Kinect or paying for MS.

For example you are seeing many touchscreens on phones etc but there is no company who owns touchscreen patent completely. Apple, Nintendo, Nokia, MS etc are using touchscreens but both technology and software behind touchscreen on every device are completely different. Words touch or touchscreen are no trademarks owned by someone, unlike Kinect.

Tpuch screen technologies are patented. http://www.switched.com/2009/04/09/apple-sued-over-touchscreen-patent-infringement/

But some companies may try to achieve the same things with different tech to overcome patents, or they just pay to use it. But you can bet all technology has patents. While I agree these technologies have existed seperatly, this is the first time all three are in one device that I know of. Ms could certainly sell the rights to use this tech to other compaines. I do think it will be similar to touch screens though, eventually I think it would be combined with touch screens in mobile devices.

Why didn't I pause while reading you long sentence! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....