Project Natal arrives in 2010

While providing few details on the project, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said during his keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show that the company would ship its Project Natal gesture-based control system for the Xbox 360 game console in time for the holiday shopping season this year, says DMW Media.

Microsoft first showcased the 3D camera-based, motion-sensing technology at last year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, but has not yet released details on pricing or game titles that will be supported.

The company did say it has now sold more than 39 million Xbox 360 consoles worldwide, and that its Xbox Live online game service now has over 20 million active members.

Dell has unveiled an 11-inch Alienware gaming notebook, claiming it to be the "first ultra-mobile gaming laptop", says Techspot.

The Alienware M11x is capable of playing games and videos at 720p, with up to 6.5 hours of battery life in battery mode and two hours when in gaming mode.

The system can switch between integrated and Nvidia GT335M graphics. According to Gizmodo, the M11x can attain 50FPS in Crysis, and scores about 6 000 to 7 000 in 3DMark.

Accessory maker Mad Catz is hoping to make computer gaming experience a little more comfortable with the release of the first fully adjustable high performance gaming mouse, announced at CES, writes IGN Gear.

The new line is dubbed the Cyborg Rat. There will be four incarnations of it including a high-end wireless model with rechargeable lithium batteries.

"For the first time ever on a mouse, the key points of contact between the gamer's hand and the mouse are fully adjustable allowing it to be customised for any grip preference," explained Darren Richardson, president and CEO of Mad Catz.