Sony has demonstrated the face-recognition and tracking capabilities of the upcoming PlayStation Vita handheld, using the portable console’s front-facing camera to track head movement and have on-screen avatars respond accordingly. In the demo, filmed by Siliconera and which you can see after the cut, Sony showed a two-way video chat being held between a pair of animated avatars, the head, mouth, eye and other movements being mapped to those of the gamer.

Although head-tracking has been done before, the system Sony demonstrated was able to track minor details like eye-blinking and eyebrow twitches, for a more lifelike animation. Sony wasn’t saying a video calling app would necessarily be the final use of the technology, 4gamer reports, but that the software was merely a demonstration of the power of the Vita’s abilities and its potential in augmented reality (AR) gaming.

Rather than using specific glyphs that can be identified and tracked by an AR system, Sony’s Yoshikatsu Kanemaru suggested that objects and even people could be distinguished by the Vita and have computer-generated graphics overlaid. It’s a technology that appears to have borrowed from Sony’s previous SmartAR research, which can intelligently spot unique elements -such as posters, magazines or more complex forms, like body outlines – in the camera’s frame and then track them accordingly.

All of the boards in the series use the dual intelligent Processors 2 tech with DIGI+ VRM power delivery for precision power adjustment and control. The boards also provide extra DRAM power to increase stability and has a feature packed BIOS. It sounds like the family will be overclocker friendly.

The mainboards also supports SATA 6Gb/s storage interface with RAID 0/1/10 support. The chipset in the boards also supports USB 3.0 natively with no need for a secondary controller. Intel still lacks native support for USB 3.0 and all Intel chipset boards are using a secondary controller for USB 3.0 ports. There is no word on when these boards will land and how much they will cost.

The recent refresh of the GeForce GTX 460M into the 560M was a welcome one, bringing Optimus support and higher clocks to what's liable to be their crown prince of budget mobile gaming. The GTX 560M is beginning to materialize in the market, but we were still left with an odd hole in NVIDIA's lineup at the top. That hole has now been filled, and thankfully it's at least a little more than the usual speedbump that goes along with a new moniker these days. Now every part in the 500M series can switch over to Sandy Bridge's integrated graphics while running on the battery, offering the best of both worlds.

NVIDIA's new top dog is the GeForce GTX 580M. Every spec on the press sheets is listed as "up to," but that's really par for the course. While NVIDIA's reps declined to comment on what chips are being used for the GTX 580M, you'll find the specs are a dead giveaway. The 580M seems to be a mobile version of the GF104/114 (more likely GF114), with 384 CUDA cores, with a main clock of 620MHz (yielding 1240MHz on the shader cores). Riding shotgun is a 256-bit memory bus supporting up to 2GB of GDDR5 clocked at an effective 3GHz. Those of you keeping score at home will note that's an improvement of 45MHz on the core (and thus 90MHz on the shaders), with the memory speed remaining constant. All told I'd expect performance in the neighborhood of the desktop GeForce GTX 460 1GB version (or at least, the original NVIDIA spec): not too shabby, but still an incremental improvement on the shipping GTX 485M. The major selling point is, again, Optimus support in the 580M.

On the heels of the GTX 580M is the GeForce GTX 570M. The 470M was a bit of an oddity in that while the 480M and 485M were easy enough to find, the 470M was largely a rarity. While the 580M sees the minor speedbump we've come to expect, the 570M is a major improvement over its seldom-used predecessor. The 570M likely uses the same silicon as the 580M (which is, again, more than likely a GF114), but while the 470M only had 288 CUDA cores, the 570M gets a healthy upgrade to 336. The 470M's 535MHz core clock also sees a boost to 575MHz, with the shaders clocked at 1150MHz. The 570M still retains the 470M's 192-bit memory bus, and will be configured with either 1.5GB or 3GB of GDDR5 clocked at an effective 3GHz, a marked improvement on the 470M's 2.5GHz memory clocks. All told performance should be somewhere between the desktop GeForce GTX 460 768MB and the GTX 460 SE. For mobile gaming, that's still not bad at all, and again it benefits from Optimus support.

NVIDIA also was able to point out specific models of notebooks that will be shipping with these parts. Availability in 17" Clevo notebooks should surprise no one, with the P270WN in particular supporting both 3D Vision and SLI'd GeForce GTX 580M's. Alienware's new M18x (which we have en route for review) will also be supporting the GeForce GTX 580M in SLI. And finally, the MSI GT780R shown above will be shipping with the GeForce GTX 570M.

NVIDIA expects notebooks featuring the new GPUs to be available for order from OEMs today.

Razer is back and that DeathAdder mouse is getting dressed up for fans of the Transformers franchise. The mice are for the tie in to the new flick that opens this week in theaters everywhere. The DeathAdder comes in both Autobot and Decepticon versions with the good guy mice in red for Optimus Prime and yellow for Bumblebee. The bad guys are in silver for Megatron and purple for the new baddies that pop out of the dust on the moon.

All of the mice have the same 3.5G sensor and 3500dpi sensitivity. You can pick up any of the four designs for $69.99 each. To complete your Transformers desk swag you can also get a Transformers Vespula dual sided gaming mouse pad with Optimus on one side and Megatron on the other for $44.99. Razer also has a line of laptop sleeve cases in Transformers style for $49.99 each.

Polk’s new Performance Line-Up, which appears in retail stores this fall, includes sports headphones and active noise cancelation (ANC) headphones designed for serious athletes engaged in exercise and fitness as well as suited for players and business professionals who travel frequently and often listen to music in noisy environments.

“We are about to change the sonic landscape for an entire generation of athletes and ardent headphone users,” said Jim Minarik, chief executive officer of DEI Holdings, Inc., Polk Audio’s parent company. “Our engineers have used the same standards and breakthrough technology we apply to speaker design to create a series of headphones that are comfortable, rugged in durability, aggressively muscular in style and all with Polk’s world-class commitment to superior sound quality.”

Polk Audio’s Performance Line-Up will feature four UltraFitâ„¢ sports headphones in a variety of colors that include in-ear, on-ear and in-ear canal models. The headphones stand apart from other brands by Polk Audio’s acclaimed audio quality and unique attention to detail, including: water resistant designs, contrast-colored cables for instant left/right recognition, iPhone®/iPod® controls, Kevlar-reinforced hinge points to eliminate the number one product-failure in many headphones, plugs conformed to fit through the opening of all iPhone/iPod/iPad covers, and comfortable, non-slip materials where the headphone engages the ear.

Polk Audio’s engineers and designers also reinvented the active noise cancelation headphone to produce two UltraFocusâ„¢ models that address the needs of travelers and others who find themselves in noisy locations, whether it’s in the locker room, on a plane or in the office. In addition to active noise cancelation, the Polk in-ear canal and over-the-ear versions offer the highest quality sound; ultra-flexible, tangle-free planar audio cables; contrast-color cable for instant left/right identification; on-ear Apple® control for iPhone®/iPad®; push-to-hear technology; superior durability; a more comfortable fit; and styling that is distinct from other headphones on the market.

“U.S. retail sales for active noise cancelation headphones have doubled in the last three years, but audio performance has always been compromised in the pursuit of ANC technology,” said Minarik. “With nearly 40 years of acoustic research and engineering expertise, Polk is uniquely positioned to bring these new ANC headphones to market with an absolute commitment to high-end audio. We are excited bring both these high performance and differentiated series of headphones to our dealers and consumers this fall.”

The New Diablo® III Mouse and Headset Feature “Demon Red” Illuminated Designs and Technology Specifically Tailored for this Mouse-Intensive, Dark Fantasy Game

LOS ANGELES – E3 – JUNE 6, 2011 – As the game industry waits for E3 to kick off this week, SteelSeries, a leading manufacturer of professional gaming peripherals today announced a co-branding partnership with Blizzard Entertainment on the SteelSeries Diablo® III family of products. The Diablo III Mouse, Diablo III Headset, and two Diablo III QcK mousepads – Witch Doctor and Barbarian Editions, were co-designed with technology, hardware, and illumination features that support the look and feel of the third installment of Blizzard Entertainment’s highly anticipated, mouse-intensive Diablo series.

“The level of excitement for the Diablo III release is massive. When the opportunity was presented to partner up with Blizzard for a new family of co-branded peripherals, we knew that they had to be engineered for this particular type of gameplay by being both durable and able to bring out the Diablo III theme onto a player’s desktop,” said Kim Rom, SteelSeries CMO. “The mouse offers both simplicity for new players and unprecedented durability that will support the series’ distinctive mouse-driven gameplay, while the headset optimizes the high, spine-chilling snarls of otherworldly creatures and the booming lows of a barbarian battle cry. Together, the headset and mouse will help immerse players into the game through their extended comfort, compelling designs and high performance.”

SteelSeries Diablo III Mouse
The fast-paced, dark fantasy world of Diablo III features high-velocity gameplay that benefits from quick response times and a weapon that will withstand the punishment of rapid clicks. The SteelSeries Diablo III Mouse features a laser sensor with up to 5,000 CPI, 7 ergonomically positioned buttons that can survive relentless punishment with a guaranteed lifespan of 10 million clicks – more than 3x the click lifespan of an average mouse. The mouse’s ambidextrous shape and comfortable matte grip coating makes it a versatile option for all gaming grip styles.

In true Diablo III style, the SteelSeries mouse is enhanced with “demon red” illumination in 3 areas on the mouse – the scroll wheel, CPI Indicator, and Diablo III logo. You can also customize the logo with ON/OFF illumination and 3 levels of pulsation. While the mouse hardware was built for battle, including the double-braided nylon cord and gold-plated USB connection, the software and setting capabilities are easy to navigate through preloaded, SteelSeries Engine software. Compatible with both Mac® and PC, the software offers players a drag & drop Diablo III-themed interface with pre-defined skills and game commands. All 7 mouse buttons can also be quickly remapped for a personalized set-up. The SteelSeries Diablo® III Mouse’s MSRP will be $69.99 / €69.99.

SteelSeries Diablo III Headset
Whether it’s the faint clinks of loot dropping or the booming bass of demon spawn meeting their end, Diablo III is a game that must be heard. The SteelSeries Diablo III Headset has a lightweight, over-the-head suspension design that provides players with closed-type, leather earcups keeping the outside world out and the game sound in. Its earcups comfortably surround the ear and reproduce an optimized soundscape through 50mm driver units that are meant to immerse a player even further into the Burning Hells.

Its matte-black finish replicates the SteelSeries Diablo III Mouse theme by featuring a unique, knot-work design on the headband, together with “demon red” illumination. The first illuminated headset designed by SteelSeries, it will offer players ON/OFF illumination and 3 levels of pulsation options. Coming from a total of 18 LED lights throughout the headset, the red glow is seen in two places each on the right and left side – surrounding the edge of each ear cup, and the three Diablo slashes.

The headset will also include SteelSeries’ signature, uni-directional retractable microphone-system for clear voice communication through Battle.net®. Its in-line volume and mute controls are found on a durable, double-braided nylon cord with a USB connector. For players looking for more control over their sound settings, the headset is also powered through SteelSeries Engine software, where they will find microphone volume and equalizer settings via an easy-to-navigate Diablo III interface. The Headset MSRP will be $119.99 / €119.99.

SteelSeries Diablo III Mousepads
To accompany the SteelSeries Diablo III Mouse, players can choose between two high-quality, cloth mousepad designs. The SteelSeries award-winning QcK mousepads have a non-slip rubber base to keep the mousepad from moving and an optimized texture surface featuring Diablo III artwork. The SteelSeries Diablo III QcK Barbarian Edition includes official character artwork of the barbarian class along with the deep reds and earthy tones associated with this brutal fighter. The SteelSeries Diablo III QcK Witch Doctor Edition summons the cooler, green and purple tones that are linked to this new and powerful summoning character. Each will have a $14.99 / €14.99 MSRP.

Available at game launch, the SteelSeries Diablo III family of products will be available online and in select retail locations. To catch hands-on previews of the new products, and news about all things SteelSeries and Diablo III check out http://steelseries.com/diablo3. Be sure to follow SteelSeries to stay up to date throughout E3 at http://steelseries.com as well as on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr.

In addition, TB is also announcing the $30 XL1 as a replacement for your Xbox’s standard headset — you can view its full-on stereo glory alongside the XP500 in our gallery below. We’ll hopefully grab some ears-on time with all of the new gear while we’re here at E3.

E3 2011: Turtle Beach Debuts A New Generation of XBOX 360 Gaming Headsets at E3 2011

Turtle Beach continues the tradition of award winning XBOX 360 headsets by introducing the super-premium XP500 and economical XL1 models

Elmsford, N.Y., June 7, 2011 – Turtle Beach, the leader in premium gaming headsets announces two exciting additions to their XBOX 360 line up of gaming headsets. The story begins with the top of the line Ear Force XP500 Programmable Wireless Gaming Headset with Dolby7.1 Surround Sound and Bluetooth Chat; the long-awaited XBOX 360 focused companion to the acclaimed PX5 introduced earlier this year. At the other end is the economical and performance-packed Ear Force XL1 Amplified Stereo Gaming Headset. These headsets join the recently announced PX3 and Z6A models, all making their debuts at the 2011 Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, California, from June 7-9, 2011 at the Turtle Beach booth #435 in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Turtle Beach Ear Force XP500 Programmable Wireless Gaming Headset with Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound and Wireless XBOX 360 Chat

Like the revolutionary Ear Force PX5, the new Ear Force XP500 delivers all of the PX5′s impressive features, along with wireless XBOX 360 chat via Bluetooth. Like the PX5, the XP500 incorporates programmable custom presets that allow independent customization of the chat, game and microphone signals. These custom presets are stored in the headset and can be selected on the fly during specific parts of the game to emphasize sounds like enemy footsteps or ammo reloads that might otherwise be difficult to hear.

The XP500 sets itself apart from the PX5 with its ability to function with the XBOX 360 completely wirelessly right out of the box. The included XBOX 360 Bluetooth Chat Adapter (XBA) lets players eliminate the chat wire connecting their headset and controller, making it the first XBOX 360 headset with wireless chat. The XP500′s dual-paring Bluetooth functionality also enables the headset to answer mobile phone calls and stream music from Bluetooth enabled digital audio players while enjoying the freedom of wireless chat. The XBA adapter will also be available for purchase on the Turtle Beach website for PX5 owners looking to upgrade to full wireless XBOX LIVE chat.

“The PX5 pioneered a new generation of headsets that recalibrated people’s expectations of what a gaming headset can be.” Said Carmine Bonanno, President and CEO of Turtle Beach. “With the release of the XP500, XBOX 360 owners can enjoy the super-premium gaming experience they have been waiting for, complete with wireless chat.”

Key features and user benefits of the Turtle Beach Ear Force XP500 include:

· Customizable Presets: Configure up to 18 personalized presets to optimize game, chat, and microphone audio for different gaming situations. Download the Advanced Sound Editor software and make your own presets, or simply upload any of the numerous custom files posted on the Turtle Beach website.

· Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound: Immersive 360 degree audio lets you hear the direction of every sound as if you were playing with speakers all around you

· Digital RF Wireless Game Sound: Uncompressed wireless digital audio signal delivers CD-quality game sound that rivals professional grade wired headphones

· Xbox Chat Adapter (XBA): For the first time, play XBOX 360 games untethered and chat without any wires using Bluetooth technology!

· Dynamic Chat Boost: Chat level increases automatically as the game volume gets louder, so you can always hear the voices of other players

· Microphone Monitoring: Lets you hear your voice in the headset, so you won’t need to shout to hear yourself

· Sonic Silencers: Enjoy total silence by eliminating ambient noise pickup on your mic and cutting background noise from PSN or XBOX LIVE chat sound

· Sonic Lens™ with Sound Field Expander: Widen or narrow the sound field to focus on difficult to hear audio cues like footsteps sneaking up on you or the clicks of someone reloading in the distance

· Intuitive Voice Prompts: A real voice announces critical headset status conditions, such a low battery, preset numbers and more

· Ear Guard with Blast Limiter: Limit the intensity of deafening games sounds such as explosions and gunfire to reduce ear fatigue during long gaming sessions

· PS3 and XBOX 360 Compatible: Delivers the ultimate gaming experience with PS3 and XBOX 360 consoles

MSRP: $269.95

Availability: Fall 2011

URL: www.turtlebeach.com/XP500

Ear Force XL1 Amplified Stereo Gaming Headset

The Ear Force XL1 Amplified Stereo Gaming Headset for the XBOX 360 is an affordably-priced headset for the casual gamer who wants to improve their gaming experience without breaking the bank. The in-line amplifier features a built-in bass boost and independent controls for the game and chat volume. With 50 millimeter speakers, comfortable fabric mesh ear cushions and lightweight design, gamers will enjoy amazing audio fidelity and extreme comfort during long gaming sessions.

“Turtle Beach has always been obsessed with providing value and performance in the same package and the new Ear Force XL1 is no exception.” stated Carmine Bonanno, President and CEO of Turtle Beach. “This new entry level headset offers XBOX 360 owners all the features they need to enjoy a more immersive gaming experience, at a price that rivals the cost of a mono communicator headset.

MSRP: $39.95

Availability: Fall 2011

URL: www.turtlebeach.com/XL1

Microsoft has teamed up with Tritton to produce a series of cobranded headsets, which will offer unparalleled integration with the Xbox 360, including on-screen battery status and 100-percent wire-free functionality with both game audio and chat.

Devastator with Base Station

The range is broken down into two premium wireless headsets, the Warhead 7.1 and Devastator, and an entry-level wired solution, the Detonator.

All three headsets utilize stereo 50mm drivers, though only the Warhead 7.1 supports Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, and Dolby Headphone decoding for simulated surround sound. The Devastator and Detonator only produce stereo audio.

Both the Warhead 7.1 and Devastator utilize 5.8GHz wireless technology, for stronger, clearer connectivity, and come with a specialized wireless base station that uses only two cables connected to the Xbox 360 — USB for power and optical digital or stereo RCA for audio. Additionally, the base stations accept auxiliary input from iPods or smartphones.

Watch our Tritton Headset Preview

For those who want to share the experience, the base stations bundled with the Warhead 7.1 and Devastator can feed audio to four headsets simultaneously. Both also support three different listening modes for either gaming, movies, or music.

All three headsets feature active voice monitoring, so you’ll never find yourself shouting unnecessarily, as well as removable boom microphones with easy-to-reach mute buttons, and an LED lights located at the end to indicate when the microphone is active.

Detonator, Devastator, Warhead 7.1

For power, the Detonator is powered by wired USB, while the Devastator uses AA battery, and the Warhead 7.1 uses a specialized rechargeable battery pack system. The wireless transmitter base station features an integrated battery charger, allowing users to seamlessly swap between two included battery packs for uninterrupted gameplay. Since the base station is powered by the Xbox 360, if you power down the console before the battery is fully recharged, it will continue charging through standby power until complete.

In terms of design, all three headsets feature earcups that turn inward for easy shoulder resting, as well as streamlined headband padding, and isolating around the ear padding. The Devastator and Warhead 7.1 sport easily accessible volume, preset, power, voice monitoring, and syncing controls built into the headsets themselves, while the Detonator has an inline cable controller.

Warhad 7.1 Headband

Though official pricing and release information has yet to be revealed, Tritton assures us that all three models will be available before Holiday 2011 and none of the headsets will exceed $300.