Cell phones to become 'joysticks' of the future
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Jun 22nd 2006 at 12:05PM }
Researchers in New Zealand have demonstrated how two Nokia Series 60 cell phones can be used to play a virtual tennis game. Like current mobile games, the action takes place on the phone's display. Only in AR* Tennis, players primarily use physical motions to control the flow of the game.To begin the game, players sit at a table across from each other, and a piece of paper is placed between them, representing the boundaries of the tennis court. Players serve the ball by pressing a number on the keypad. Serves are returned with a simple swing of the phone. Players know they've made contact when the phones vibrate and project a sound.
The similarities between this format and Wii are obvious and could be signaling the beginnings of the next big trend in gaming. But, as associate professor in interactive and intelligent computing at Georgia Tech Blair MacIntyre points out, "The big question is whether folks can design compelling games using [this technology]."
*Augmented Reality.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
LongshotX @ Jun 22nd 2006 12:31PM
That seems pretty dumb. Gaming on cellphones is cool but when you start moving the thing to play ping pong with someone it just begins to get a tad bit ridiculous. Why wouldn't you just go and play some real ping pong? Geesh.
jabbertrack @ Jun 22nd 2006 12:55PM
dumb is about the best word I can think of too
Cune @ Jun 22nd 2006 1:03PM
Agree #1.... Maybe I'm too old, but this "next big trend in gaming" seems like it would only appeal to kids. It's good for Nokia though.... cell phones flying across the room after they slip out of your hands and smashing on the floor are good for sales!
vidGuy @ Jun 22nd 2006 1:06PM
Well, Nintendo's amazing new console will let you see the screen as you swing around the controller! Who would have thought!
/sarcasm
I expect motion control to become a big market, but not this way. This is just a flop of an idea.
LongshotX @ Jun 22nd 2006 1:23PM
This is why kids today will and will continue to be fat asses. All they do is eat Doritos, drink Kool-Aid, and play video games. I'm a gamer too, but controlling a character on screen or swinging a stupid controller around does not burn a significant amount of calories. I also take time to actually experience the real world! Go outside damn. Go to the club! Join a football, soccer, basketball team. Go to the YMCA for god's sake. Damn have real sex instead of simulating it online with 3D models. What the hell is wrong with people today?
The_Solidshadow @ Jun 22nd 2006 2:25PM
The Gizmondo's had this kind of tech for ages now
Tom @ Jun 22nd 2006 2:44PM
LongshotX did you ever consider that maybe the reason gamers don't do those things is because they're not really good at it. I don't want to generalize and I know that some gamers do play sports and have girlfriends, but most hardcore gamers (not the type who just play EA Sports games) don't go outside because they don't have much to do anyway. Sure it's a stereotype but I'll go out and admit myself that I've always sucked at sports. Women don't actually find gaming to be that much of a turn on, so yea, I've never had a girlfriend. Trust me I've tried. You have to realize that some things don't come as easy for some people as they do for others.
Gemini @ Jun 22nd 2006 5:29PM
The only interesting next-step to cellphone gaming is plugging it in directly into your brain. The kind of technology described here is unrealistic in terms of playing games unlike the wii where the screen doesn't move when you do.
Wolfen @ Jun 25th 2006 3:12PM
Its costly to actually go out and do stuff, spend $500 on a game console or buy gas,drink, food, etc thats only gonna last a few days, yeah sure you might beat the game in a day but for the pack of bear you can rent some games for a few days.
Russ Hauber @ Jun 25th 2006 4:01PM
Thought phones were for calling friends and such? Cameras were a good idea but games get real people. games to me should be played online or bought on a CD. thank you
c-mur @ Jun 25th 2006 4:35PM
i think its pretty cool, but i still agree with the bottom one. why not separate the game from the phone? i though phones were for calling, not for gaming...
supersarah @ Jun 25th 2006 4:39PM
i think its pretty cool. the games on the phones right now suck!
Roberta @ Jun 25th 2006 5:31PM
Ridiculous. Rather than spending money on creating mindless games for kids that keep them from pursuing any beneficial means of relieving boredom, use the money to create better quality cell phones! No lost calls, clear and consistant audio, displays that don't require magnifying glasses, etc!
dick @ Jun 25th 2006 5:49PM
tom's a faggot, any idiot that would choose a"joy stick" over a nice pair of breast has to be, i bet he sits on the stick!
crissy @ Jun 25th 2006 8:24PM
I use to work for Nokia and there is one thing I do know to be true: They are WAY ahead of the technological trends. 3 years ago they came out with the MP3 player cell phone which is now a pretty big seller in the US today. Bottom Line: This may seem pretty ridiculous today but in 3 years it will be common place.
Eric @ Jun 26th 2006 11:40PM
It just sounds like to me that you are all to lazy to do anything but sit in a chair and play and then you wounder why you don't have girlfriends. my gosh move around a bit you'll be amazed what it does for our body
not to mention the rest of your life.