Relax with your Wii

Keeping its finger on the pulse, Nintendo introduces a new gizmo to help you unwind after a stressful day.

Insightful as ever, Nintendo once again looks like having a major hit on its hands. But first you'll need to volunteer a finger. During an LA press conference last night Nintendo unveiled a curious device called the Wii Vitality Sensor. It looks like something off a seaside heart-rate detector, and, broadly speaking, serves a similar purpose: Insert your index finger into the clinically white sleeve to have your pulse measured. But that's not all, according to Nintendo president Satoru Iwata.

On first sight this Wii Vitality Sensor seems a pitiful answer to Microsoft's recently announced Xbox 360 widget - Project Natal - that detects full body movement in 3D. But consider where Nintendo is going with the idea. The vast majority of videogames are designed to heighten the senses, increase your heart-rate, and lately deliberately make you break a sweat. Instead of increased excitement and stimulation Nintendo will soon be offering the chance to unwind and fall asleep.

Your pulse contains other information related to the inner world of your body, which includes the focus and nerve that affects your powers of concentration and overall confidence. Nintendo has encouraged more people to use their brains and improve fitness, but in resting your mind the Wii Vitality Sensor could lead to something more spiritual. And it can only do this via a physical connection - Microsoft's Project Natal can only observe from distance.

Much was made, and rightly so, about Microsoft wheeling out the likes of Spielberg and ex-Beatles to announce its vision for the future. However with Shigeru Miyamoto and Satoru Iwata working in such harmony at Nintendo, these men are becoming entertainment legends in their own right. And the hits keep coming.