Digitime news is reporting that the company Aptina has won exclusive rights to supply 1.3-megapixel CMOS image sensors (CIS) for a new version of the Xbox 360 console under Microsoft's Project Natal technology, and shipments of the new Xbox 360 are slated for the second half of 2010, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

The Project Natal technology uses cameras and sensors to detect users' gestures and movements and transforms back to the console, enabling users to control and interact with the Xbox 360 without using a game controller. Thus, CIS is the key component of the technology, the sources noted.

Now the rumors have been flying around when the part of the statement: New Xbox 360 are slated for the 2nd half of 2010 personally I feel that the language barrier from Taiwan caused a slip like this. I honestly don't forsee the new xbox coming in 2010, but.... thats another story.

The doubts are likely to dissipate during the upcoming 2010 Game Developers Conference held in March. Until then Nintendo and Sony will have time to plan an appropriate response. Because Project Natal could become the event of the year in the world of video games.