Rolocule's Rolomotion is designed to convert an iPhone or an iPod touch into a motion controller, similar to a Nintendo Wii Remote. The iPhone motion controller combines with games streamed over AirPlay using the Apple TV, allowing for motion-based gaming directly on a television.
The Rolomotion concept takes advantage of the iPhone's gyroscope, magnetometer and accelerometer to track movements, which are then translated on the screen.
Motion Tennis, the first game that incorporates Rolomotion, plays similarly to Wii Sports Tennis on the Wii gaming console. The iPhone is used as a tennis racket, and when swung, the character on the screen will swing as well.
According to Rolocule, Motion Tennis uses in-game optimizations to minimize mirroring lag and will also feature a multiplayer mode.
As with all products of this type, enticing developers to use the technology is a significant hurdle to overcome. Rolocule is planning on releasing additional games in the future, but there is no word on whether an SDK will be made available.
The company is planning on sending out a limited number of beta invites during the last week of April to prospective gamers who sign up on the website.
Top Rated Comments
You're holding it wrong. ;)
I think his point is that a Wii remote doesn't cost 300-800$.
A line from the Matrix is apt. You think that's air you're breathing? Well, it's the same with video games. You can be great at a video game version of a sport and suck at the real thing and vise versa. The control mechanisms are very different (even with more motion on a Wii controller). Weather isn't a factor and neither is lower mobility for the most part (i.e. a person in a wheel chair can still play Wii bowling). Cost is less in most cases as well (bowling runs $3-6 a game per person at most places I've been to lately depending on the time of day).
Video games might help with hand-eye coordination, but they're mostly about indoor relaxing entertainment. Playing football on video game system isn't going to wear you out and you don't need a whole neighborhood block worth of kids to form two teams in order to play plus there's usually coach options, etc. as well to play with in the game. The list goes on and on. Yeah, go swing that tennis racket by yourself and see how much fun it is, assuming you have somewhere to play it.
I just tried to call my mother from my Wii controller and couldn't get through. Perhaps you have an idea?