High Definition Codecs

AP – Real news from the virtual world:

PC Magazine – Apple computers, meet the Wiimote. Apple is patenting a “wireless remote wand,” which would give users motion sensing controls over the Apple TV, a la Nintendo’s popular console.

PC World – Apple TV may get a Nintendo Wii-like remote control according to two identical patent applications published yesterday. Referred to as a “wand,” the patent application suggests Apple may look to expand Apple TV’s capabilities into a full-fledged entertainment system. Apple proposes a variety of uses for the wand including “zoom operations, a keyboard application, an image application, an illustration application, and a media application.” The patents were originally uncovered by Apple Insider.

PC World – Just how much is a lost Xbox 360 worth? Could it be $83,333 per week? $11,111 per day? $463 per hour? Make that $1 million total, or how much either an extraordinarily irate or incredibly enterprising Yale film major is suing US Airways for, after someone with the airline allegedly swiped or lost his Xbox 360 on or around December 17, 2008 during a flight from New Haven to Cincinnati. $1 million is the maximum amount allowable by law.

NewsFactor – North American Wii owners got an early holiday present today: Confirmation from global game manufacturer Capcom that it is releasing three versions of its multi-million seller franchise “Resident Evil” for the motion-based game system.

AP – Video-game controversies typically revolve around sex or violence. “Resident Evil 5″ has plenty of the latter, but it’s catching a lot of flack for a different reason.

PC Magazine – A new startup, Caustic Graphics, plans to enter the 3D space this April with a dedicated raytracing card. The first target will be workstations, then possibly PCs and game consoles.

NewsFactor – Nintendo reports it has sold more than 100 million handheld gaming machines since its late 2004 launch of the Nintendo DS, which inaugurated a new era of portable gaming by introducing touchscreen and voice-recognition capabilities.

PC Magazine – Is your Xbox 360 worth $1 million? For a 21-year-old Yale student, the answer is yes.

AP – Global sales of the Nintendo DS handheld topped 100 million in 4 years and 3 months ? a milestone reached at the quickest pace for any video game console ? the Japanese manufacturer said Thursday.