Game cube announced

US COMPANY Sifteo has developed a wireless Sifteo cube for gaming.

This is not similar to Nintendo's square-shaped Gamecube console. With the Sifteo cube, gamers actually interact with the cube itself to play.

The cube is a 1.5-inch block with a 32-bit CPU and full colour 128x128 LCD screen on the side. It has a rechargeable lithium battery and a USB wireless link that lets punters download games and apps onto the cubes. The technology magic works thanks to a three axis motion-sensing accelerometer inside so it can sense 3D motion.

You need to install Windows or Mac software before you can pick up and play, but Sifteo also hosts a library of games and apps optimised for use with the cube. The company already has a host of titles to play online and more will be available for a cut-down price for anyone who wants to sign up to its Early Access Program.

For $99 rather than $149, the program includes three cubes, charging dock, USB wireless link and an adaptor. You'll also get 1,000 points to purchase games and apps from the online store.

The people who came up with the idea are MIT alumni who were studying human-computer interaction. But the VC purse holders probably decided to sign the cheques only after seeing the runaway success of Sony's PS Move and Microsoft's Kinect.

"New sensing technologies have changed the face of gaming in just a few years," said Sifteo co-founder David Merrill.

The other co-founder, Jeevan Kalanithi said, "Traditional game consoles have lost the tangible and interactive nature of classic tabletop games like Mahjong and dominoes that bring people together."

"We believe that Sifteo cubes are the next leap forward in game play," Merrill added. µ