Microsoft's Project Natal due next holiday season, could hit PCs

The depth sensor uses an infrared projector and a monochrome sensor to "see the room in 3-D under any lighting conditions," while the multi-array microphone can "locate voices by sound and extract ambient noise." While Microsoft's CES press materials don't mention PC compatibility, Shacknews points out that Bill Gates evoked non-gaming uses for Windows last summer. Gates said Project Natal could be hooked up to a PC and used for "meetings, and collaboration, and communication."