amBX Ambient Light & Rumble Tech Coming To PS3

amBX, the Philips Ambilight spin-off, have announced that they and Sony have signed a deal that will see real-world sensory experiences – for instance light, colour, rumble and air flow – used by the PS3.  The agreement will see amBX technology made compatible with Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) hardware, so that upcoming games, music, movies, Internet and TV content will work with licensed amBX peripherals.

Last year, amBX released a free SDK for their technology, which they hoped would spur developers on to include compatibility with the system in future titles, as well as prompt more hardware production.  This deal with Sony, however, will mark the first time the amBX technology moves out of the PC gaming market and into standalone consoles.

Sony have not commented on exactly what role they see the the amBX technology playing in the PS3 ecosystem.  According to Jo Cooke, Chief Marketing Officer of amBX, "the Tools & Middleware License agreement with SCEI will allow us to bring amazing light, rumble, sound and air movement experiences to game users."

Press Release:

Redhill, UK – amBX today announced that it has concluded a Tools & Middleware License agreement for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) with Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI).

Originally conceived and developed for the PC by a UK team within Philips Research, amBX is a technology that delivers real-world sensory experiences – using light, colour, rumble and even air flow – through licensed amBX peripherals, to the virtual worlds of video games, music, movies, Internet and TV entertainment. The Tools & Middleware License agreement with SCEI will allow amBX to develop its ambient experiences technology beyond the PC market and into the worldwide game market.

"This is a major milestone in the development of amBX as a ubiquitous standard for entertainment sensory experiences," commented Jo Cooke, Chief Marketing Officer, amBX. "amBX has already proved incredibly popular and successful within the PC games, music, movies and apps markets and the Tools & Middleware License agreement with SCEI will allow us to bring amazing light, rumble, sound and air movement experiences to game users."

amBX has already licensed the technology to many content developers and publishers in the gaming sector and the amBX developer program has recently launched a new, free SDK to allow many more hardware and entertainment developers to add this innovative technology to their products. A support forum also provides advice and best practice information as well as a complete toolbox that will unlock the most advanced features of amBX at www.ambx.com. 

[via Pocket-lint]