Roku Licenses Hillcrest Motion Tech For Media Box Game Remote

The Wii-like motion controller used for gameplay on Roku's new line of media players utilizes technology licensed from Hillcrest Labs, the company recently revealed. The motion controller is utilized for casual games, which Roku is pushing in its new set-top box (the original Roku models were entirely focused on still images and movies). The company has been working on casual game licensing partnerships, including a timed set-top box exclusive for Rovio's Angry Birds. The remote specifically uses Hillcrest's Freespace technology, also used in its its Loop-branded air mouse. Besides Roku, clients that have licensed Hillcrest tech include LG Electronics and Logitech. Hillcrest was recently awarded a settlement out of court in a patent infringement suit against Nintendo over technology used in its Wii Remote.