Xbox360 GameTrak Freedom and DS SmartStylus

The Games Developers Conference over in the US of A has unveiled a new control for the Xbox360 (not the blue one!) and a new stylus for the Nintendo DS’s.

First up is the Performance Designed Products ‘Gametrak Freedom’ for the Xbox360.

The controller uses ultrasonic 3D motion sensing technology and is made up of a base unit that’s hooked up to the Xbox via USB and a handheld controller.

PDP says that the Gametrak Freedom is different to other controllers because it doesn’t rely on the gamer pointing the controller at the screen; instead it tracks the true 3D position and precise movements of up to four players anywhere within a given environment.

The PDP SmartStylus for the Nintendo DS features vibration feedback and can include other features such as LEDs, sound and motion feedback – this means that the stylus can be moved away from the screen and will still register with the device.

Both of these should be out in the Autumn.

The SmartStlyus need the Nintendo nod but the Gametrak Freedom has already gotten the Microsoft thumbs up and will launch bundled with a game called “Squeeballs” that’s said to showcase the motion control.