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Lenovo's game console renamed 'iSec', coming this year
Introduced as the "eBox" last August, Lenovo's video game console was originally scheduled to debut in China sometime during November 2010 and elsewhere in the first quarter of 2011. Having missed its launch target, some folks wondered if the project was scrapped, but that isn't the case at all according to fresh details from Lenovo.
The company said today that the console will hit Chinese shelves in the second half of this year and if the device exceeds one million sales, Lenovo will consider bringing it to overseas markets. Jack Luo, CEO of eedoo Technology, the group developing the console, expects to sell more than a million units annually for the first few years.
The company also revealed that the device's name has been changed to "iSec," short for "Sports Entertainment Center." Considering China's restrictions on mature entertainment, it's no surprise that the console will be focused on family gaming. Games will mostly be sports-themed, such as skateboarding and martial arts.
"[iSec] may not have exquisite game graphics, or extensive violence, but it can inspire family members to get off the couch and get some exercise," said Luo. The console is expected to have around 30 free games when it finally arrives this year and those titles will be played with a built-in motion-sensing technology similar to the Kinect's.
Outside of gaming, the console will also serve as a home entertainment center, offering movies, a karaoke feature and access to the Internet. Exact pricing has yet to be determined, but the iSec will reportedly cost more than Nintendo's Wii and possibly less than Microsoft's Xbox 360. The former starts at $150 while the latter is $200.
China's game market is largely untapped as Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo have had their primary consoles banned by the government. Both Sony and Microsoft continue to seek approval from Chinese regulators and the Xbox might launch this July. While the Wii is prohibited, some Nintendo products are sold under the iQue brand.
While Lenovo chairman Liu Chuanzhi said he enthusiastically supports the iSec, he recognized the difficulties that lay ahead in marketing a console based on motion detection. "Everyone can see that there will be some technological obstacles, and that the market is not totally mature. As a result, this project will face challenges."
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User Comments (17)
Post a comment|
Regenweald
on May 6, 2011 5:40 PM |
'i' something huh...expect a lawsuit. |
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prismatics
on May 6, 2011 5:42 PM |
Sounds incredibly dull, as if they are already admitting that it is just a mediocre set of hardware. |
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tacobfm
on May 6, 2011 5:52 PM |
iSex mhmm wait wut. |
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CamaroMullet
on May 6, 2011 6:27 PM |
I bet it won't make it to America. Looks boring. |
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gwailo247
on May 6, 2011 6:44 PM |
regenweald said: 'i' something huh...expect a lawsuit. The Securities and Exchange Commission will not be happy about this... |
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aj_the_kidd
on May 6, 2011 7:31 PM |
really iSec, why must non-Apple companies insist on adding the prefix "i" |
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captaincranky
on May 6, 2011 7:47 PM |
really iSec, why must non-Apple companies insist on adding the prefix "i" They're probably baiting Apple. It will be interesting to see if Apple tries to trademark the small "i". Call out the iLawyers! Or as I (capital "I" so "I" don't get sued too), like to say, if you have to feed and house a school of piranha, you might as well them out to bite somebody once in a while. |
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ihaveaname
on May 6, 2011 8:15 PM |
Hey, (potentially) piss Apple off = win. |
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lawfer
on May 6, 2011 8:33 PM |
ihaveaname said: Hey, (potentially) piss Apple off = win. Really, couldn't your username be any more appropriate for this topic? Lol |
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chaboi390
on May 6, 2011 10:07 PM |
Sooo, what is it suppose to play? |
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captaincranky
on May 6, 2011 10:51 PM |
Like iCare. |
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Guest
on May 7, 2011 5:17 AM |
This does not sound interesting at all. I am sure this will belly flop off a cliff into the depths of nothingness. iSec ? Have a PS3 ? Wii ? Xbox ? Try me... iSuc... |
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Mindwraith
on May 7, 2011 6:30 AM |
"iSec," short for "Sports Entertainment Center." well that explains the 'S' the 'E' and the 'C'... but where did the 'i' come from?... |
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g4mer
on May 7, 2011 8:55 AM |
It's "i Sports Entertaiment Center" << |
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Richy2k9
on May 7, 2011 10:11 AM |
hello ... "looks like a mixer/blender" says the wify :P well the more we get, the less time we'll have ... i want to see more! cheers! |
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Guest
on May 8, 2011 12:04 PM |
Calm down ladies, dozens of non-Apple products have had the lowercase "i" prefix now for at least 7 years, there's already been trademark rulings declaring Apple don't own it. |
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Guest
on May 9, 2011 10:52 AM |
Matt, game consoles are not banned in China. The 2006 regulation on game console and arcade does not apply to home or personal use, as it's aim is to curtail vice such as gambling and corruption of minors. There are xBox and Nintendo consoles for sale legally in China, however they are subject to import restriction, and has nothing to do with censorship as your article insinuate. |
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