Microsoft unveils motion control for Xbox 360 LOS ANGELES — Gamers, get ready for your close-up. Microsoft introduced a prototype camera Monday that can be used as a controller for the Xbox 360. Codenamed "Project Natal," the camera eliminates the need for a handheld input device — instead, the gizmo can track a player's full body movement, recognize their face and voice, scan images of real items and respond to both physical and vocal commands.

Dell chief's 2009 compensation rises 5.7 pct SEATTLE — The value of the compensation granted to Dell Inc. Chief Executive Officer Michael Dell rose 5.7 percent in fiscal 2009, according to an Associated Press calculation of figures disclosed in a regulatory filing, even as sinking computer sales hammered the PC maker's earnings. The value of Michael Dell's total compensation package rose to $2.11 million for the year that ended May 1, compared with $1.99 million in fiscal 2008.

SAN FRANCISCO - Microsoft stepped up its efforts to cut into the search dominance of Google, launching a public preview version of its widely praised Bing search site Monday.

CHENNAI - State-run Electronics Corp of Tamil Nadu Ltd (ELCOT) will soon cover around 28,000 public distribution shops in the state under its e-governance initiative, a top official said here Monday. "Currently implemented in around 210 shops, the electronic billing project will be shortly extended to other outlets in the states," ELCOT chairman Santhosh Babu told reporters. As per the system, the shop keeper will feed in the purchase details in the hand-held device and thereby convert the data to electronic format.

NEW DELHI - The IT industry has reasons to rejoice as Communication and IT Minister A. Raja Monday promised the extension of tax benefits under the Software Technology Park of India (STPI) scheme, which is due to expire by March 2010. The STPI scheme, which offers benefits like custom duty exemption and excise duty exemption, is popular among IT companies.