With Kinect 2.0 rumored to launch with Xbox Next in 2014, Microsoft isn’t resting on its laurels when it comes to updating the motion-sensor technology behind games like Kinect Disneyland, Dance Central 2 and the upcoming Star Wars Kinect. Craig Eisler, General Manager of Kinect for Windows at Microsoft, recently discussed what’s coming out for Xbox 360 as well as PC gamers.

Worldwide media tablet shipments into sales channels rose by 56.1% on a sequential basis in the fourth calendar quarter of 2011 (4Q11) to 28.2 million units worldwide, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Media Tablet and eReader Tracker. That represents an increase of 155% from the fourth quarter of 2010. The market experienced stronger-than-expected growth across many regions and at many price points, leading to a full-year 2011 total of 68.7 million units. Based upon the markets' strong 2011 finish, and the clear demand expected in 2012, IDC has increased its 2012 forecast to 106.1 million units, up from its previous forecast of 87.7 million units.

Sony has unleashed its newest portable game system in the U.S. PlayStation Vita is now available for $250 for the Wi-Fi version and $300 for the AT&T 3G/Wi-Fi device. There are also 25 games supporting the launch, including critically acclaimed titles like Uncharted: Golden Abyss, WipeOut 2048 and ModNation Racers: Road Trip. John Koller, director of hardware marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America, talks about the present and future potential of the new hardware in this exclusive interview.

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2012) in Las Vegas, more companies were entering the Android smartphone and tablet spaces. And for good reason, Google is winning its battle against Apple for consumers interested in upgrading to the latest smartphones and tablets. This past Christmas saw Google overtake Apple for the lead in smartphones. And there appears to be no end in site with lower-priced devices entering the market throughout this year, including new NVIDIA Tegra 3 devices from Asus for just $250.

Microsoft's Kinect device has already done a serviceable job connecting kids with their favorite characters.  Just look at the success of Once Upon a Monster from Tim Schafer and his team at Double Fine Productions.  But it looks like that's just the beginning of the team-up between Microsoft and Sesame Street, as the company introduced a whole new level of interactive programming for kids last night during its CES keynote.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Sprint tipped off 2012 NBA All-Star Balloting  during a special event in Orlando, the official host city of NBA All-Star 2012. The 61st NBA All-Star Game, which will air live on TNT and ESPN Radio in the U.S., and reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages, will be played at the Amway Center on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012. Despite the lockout and the shortened season, the NBA will take a break to celebrate the biggest names in basketball. Gamers won't have to rely on 2K Sports' NBA 2K12 to simulate the celebration of basketball this year. Traditionally, EA Sports, 2K Sports and Sony PlayStation have all taken part in the All Star festivities.

In another sign that tablets are changing the videogame business, the world’s largest game retaThe next generation of Android tablets make their debut this holiday season and GameStop is providing the first opportunity to get hands-on with the new quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor. Select stores nationwide will have the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime, the first tablet to use the new Tegra 3 chip, available for demo beginning this weekend.

With CES 2012 just around the corner, the news isn’t good for big electronics giants like Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba and Sharp. A sharp slowdown in spending due to continuing economic chaos will cause revenue growth in the global consumer electronics (CE) market to fall short of growth expectations by more than 75 percent this year, according to an IHS iSuppli Consumer Platforms Market Tracker report. CE revenue in 2011 will amount to $357.3 billion, up a scant 1.5 percent from $351.9 billion in 2010, and equivalent to a 77 percent reduction compared to the previous IHS forecast of 6.4 percent growth for the year.

Sony Computer Entertainment America used the Web 2.0 Summit 2011 to announce the PlayStation Vita (PS Vita) system will launch in the U.S. on February 22, 2012. Sony will offer two versions of the device, a $249.99 Wi-Fi model and $299.99 3G/Wi-Fi model, the PS Vita system will offer unparalleled interactive entertainment anytime and anywhere. One of the launch titles for the new device is Reality Fighters, which uses augmented reality and can be seen in the video below.

The Digital Entertainment Group (DEG) has taken the first in-depth study that provides an exclusive look at the first-hand experiences of nearly 3,100 3D-compatible television (3DTV) owners. Overwhelmingly, consumers reported a positive entertainment experience, minimal price premiums, and enthusiasm about the future of 3D content. Vizio talks about its latest 3DTV in the exclusive video interview below.

Nintendo 3DS is back on track after the price drop from $250 to $170. With sales soaring, the company is offering more than just 3D games. Nintendo has joined forces with top entertainment companies to provide 3D videos for the portable Nintendo 3DS system. The Nintendo Video service already delivers fun, entertaining 3D videos, and now that content will be enhanced with additional videos from DreamWorks Animation SKG, 3net and Blue Man Group. The videos, like all 3D content on Nintendo 3DS, can be viewed without the need for special glasses.

With Amazon’s entry into the burgeoning tablet market today with Jeff Bezo’s introduction of the new Kindle Fire, Apple’s iPad might finally have some competition. While based on Google’s Android mobile and tablet operating system, Amazon’s Kindle Fire differentiates itself from it’s Android tablet brethren on four competitively unique features, 1) it will be sold thru the biggest e-commerce storefront in the world which has already had huge success with its Kindle e-book reader; 2) it will leverage Amazon’s massive content library and licenses in books, movies and music that is bigger than even Apple’s iTunes; 3) it will leverage Amazon’s massive cloud ecosystem delivering new and interesting services; and 4) and perhaps the biggest differentiator, it will sell for $199 which is $300 cheaper than the cheapest Apple iPad 2. Keep in mind, the HP TouchPad, while a flop at $499, sold out in less than 24 hours when its price dropped to $99-149, even with the prospect that the WebOS it runs on would not be supported moving forward and there were very few apps for it. But what will the Kindle Fire do for gaming?