Rumor: New Project Natal Xbox 360 SKU coming next year

Apart from denying the rollout of a new console, Microsoft has so far kept their lips sealed about any further Xbox 360 revisions that will be specifically made to work with their new Project Natal tech. The rumor mill is being extra persistent about this one, however. The latest rumor comes from Digitimes, who surmises that a Project Natal-equipped version of the Xbox 360 will be released in the second half of 2010.

Apart from denying the rollout of a new console, Microsoft has so far kept their lips sealed about any further Xbox 360 revisions that will be specifically made to work with their new Project Natal tech. The rumor mill is being extra persistent about this one, however.

The latest rumor comes from Digitimes, who surmises that a Project Natal-equipped version of the Xbox 360 will be released in the second half of 2010. The rumor stems from a recent Microsoft deal with Aptina where the latter will will supply the former with 1.3-megapixel CMOS image sensors. These image sensors are rumored to be for — you guessed it — the new Xbox 360 version:

The Project Natal technology uses cameras and sensors to detect users’ gestures and movements and transforms back to the console, enabling users to control and interact with the Xbox 360 without using a game controller. Thus, CIS is the key component of the technology, the sources noted.

Microsoft, on the other hand, has said in the past that Project Natal will work on currently-available Xbox 360s, hence there’s no need for customers to invest in an entirely new console.

• Ballmer clarifies “new Xbox 360” announcement, plus an apology
  
• Microsoft: Natal will run on 360 so no new console investments are needed

Via Digitimes