The recent release of Microsoft’s (MSFT) Kinect, an interactive gaming add-on, was well received by an unsuspecting crowd at a presentation for the new controller-free video game device that included a performance by the acclaimed Cirque du Soleil.

Guests walked in to a brightly-colored jungle world at the Galen Center in Los Angeles surrounded by dancers, acrobats, and even a gigantic elephant puppet. Microsoft will be releasing a wide variety of games for Kinect, with 15 games available at the official launch on November 4.

The games promoted at the convention certainly reached out to their male demographic: “Medal of Honor,” “Call of Duty: Black Ops,” and “Gears of War 3.” However, the real crowd-pleaser was the showcasing of a new Star Wars game in which the player controls a Jedi Knight complete with light-saber fights and climaxing with a battle against Darth Vader himself.

In addition, Microsoft has not forgotten about the sports gamers. That lineup includes interactive games requiring the player to run physically in order to win as well as classic fitness games like yoga. But Kinect is not all about gaming. Users can also use voice commands to start and stop movies or play music as well as use the built-in camera to video chat with other Kinect users or those using Windows Messenger on their computers.

Microsoft is determined to give Sony (SNE) and Nintendo (NTO) a run for their money. Whereas the Wii and the newly-released PlayStation Move use sensors to track motion by the player, the Xbox 360 Kinect uses camera technology to capture the color and depth of the player, enabling the movements of the entire body to be tracked without the use of a remote control.

Still, the Kinect device does have some shortcomings compared to Sony’s PlayStation Move. With Move’s earlier release date of September 19 and forty Move-specific games set to be released by year’s end, Sony may be in a position to control the interactive-gaming market. Sony aimed to set the price at a reasonable level, establishing a bundle pack of Move’s essential Eye, controller, and “Wii”-style sports game for only $99.

The battle lines have been drawn and only time will tell how the public will react to this fundamental change in gaming. Will the public ditch the joystick once and for all in favor of a more hands-free option, or will classic gaming rule the day?

The new Apple tablet, which recently launched after months of anticipation and years of rumors, is already winning over Hollywood stars.

This week’s episode of ABC’s “Modern Family” centered on Phil Dunphy (played by Ty Burrell) geeking out over the new gadget. In related news, ABC, CBS and FOX have all announced that they will provide content for the multimedia device. More networks and cable channels are expected to follow in the coming weeks.
A number of celebrities have also been tweeting about their desire for the hi-tech goodie this week.

“I will not buy an iPad. I will not buy an iPad. I will not buy an iPad. Okay, I’m tempted to get an iPad. Darn you Steve Jobs!” Jordin Sparks tweeted.

Alyssa Milano even took to Twitter to complain that her iPad pre-order had been canceled. “I ordered iPads for me, mom & David,” she tweeted. “Apple said: ‘we have limited amount available per customer. Therefore, this order has been canceled.’”

Not all were so excited, however. In a Thursday night appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” the comic brought out the tablet to read his Top 10 list, only to have “Clash of the Titans” star Sam Worthington rest his coffee mug on top of it later in the show.