Los Angeles  - A day after Microsoft unveiled details of its motion tracking technology for the Xbox 360, Sony unveiled its system for the Playstation 3 which uses a remote controller like the Nintendo Wii that it hopes to challenge.

Sony's announcement Tuesday means that all three major console makers will now offer alternatives to the traditional controller in which players interact with the video games by pressing buttons with their thumbs and fingers.

Sony's technology bears closer resemblance to Nintendo's Wiimote controller than to Microsoft's motion tracking technology that uses a 3D camera to track players' movements. It comprises a black wand wih a glowing purple light on top and several triggers and buttons. Sony said that the device would be available at retail in Spring 2010.

Sony also unveiled a new mobile games console called the PSP Go which will go on sale in October in the US for 249 dollars. The device will be about half the size of Sony's current mobile device the PSP and 40 per cent lighter. (dpa)