Posting from Los Angeles: I've got a good view from the balcony at Microsoft's E3 media event, and lo and behold, I've got a decent connection, so assuming we don't suffer a Steve Jobs-style wireless meltdown, I'm going to try publishing my notes in this post as the event proceeds. Feel free to look over my shoulder.

You can also watch live at YouTube.

In case you missed it, Microsoft last night unveiled its new Kinect video-game controller, previously known as Project Natal, during a splashy event staged by Cirque du Soleil. I got a chance to try Kinect at an event afterward, and you can read my thoughts on that experience in this post.

Continue reading for my notes and commentary.

Event starts with Mark Lamia of TreyArch development studio coming out to demo "Call of Duty: Black Ops." The game is due out Nov. 9, and Eminem has been reported to be working on the soundtrack. Maybe we'll get a cameo?

After the Call of Duty demo, Microsoft SVP Don Mattrick takes the stage. Announces exclusive agreement with Activision to launch all Call of Duty add-ons and map packs first on Xbox 360 for next three years. Microsoft continuing a strategy here that it has used to try to differentiate itself even when titles launch simultaneously on the PlayStation 3, such as Grand Theft Auto games.

Mattrick transitions to discussion of Kinect, then introduces Hideo Kojima, Metal Gear Solid creator, who brings out producer Shigenobu Matsuyama to show Metal Gear Solid Rising. Big roar from crowd after a video.

Phil Spencer, Microsoft VP, comes out on stage. Says from this point on, everything the company will show us today is available only on Xbox 360. Calls out Cliff Bleszinski of Epic Games, better known as CliffyB, for Gears of War 3 demo. Three-person multiplayer, intense gunfights, of course. CliffyB promises new game mode called "Beast," without providing details.

Peter Molyneux of Microsoft Game Studios comes out to introduce Fable III. This role-playing game was reported long ago to work with Natal, a.k.a., Kinect, but no word on that from Molyneux.

Spencer comes out again to talk about Microsoft Games Studios' "newest partner" and shows a video promoting Crytek, the German video-game studio.

It's "Halo: Reach" time: Marcus Lehto, Bungie creative director, shows a video of the next installment of the blockbuster Microsoft game franchise, saying it's just a taste of what to expect when it launches in September. It's a classic Halo look, but with graphics more vivid than in the past, at least on the giant screen at the media briefing. See our earlier story for more on the launch plans, including pricing and packaging.

The parade of Microsoft execs continues with Marc Whitten of Xbox Live. Says Kinect sensor detects movement and sound in sophisticated ways. Recognizes you, responds to gestures. Combined with Xbox Live, "a revolution" not just for games but also for entertainment. "This is what happens when technology gets out of your way.

Microsoft's Ron Forbes shows how to sign in by literally waving at the Kinect camera, which recognizes him and logs him in. Then he shows how to navigate the Xbox Live menu with voice recognition and hand gestures. It looks to me like a new Xbox Live navigation design, apparently remade for the Kinect interface. Shows how to skip forward and back in movies with hand gestures, and pause and play by saying "Xbox, Pause," and "Xbox, Play." Says "Xbox, Play Music," and music starts playing.

Whitten talks about geographic expansion, briefly references Xbox Live on Windows Phone 7. Introduces "VideoKinect," Xbox Live video chat. Demo shows watching video/movies together with video chat panes on either side of a movie screen. Kinect camera can automatically track participants and pan with them as they move around. The command, "Xbox, End Chat" stops the video chat.

Whitten says VideoKinect also coming to Windows Live Messenger.

Woah, here it is, ESPN video just flashed on screen, promising NBA, MLB, etc. Video of Sportscenter anchors, who say partnership will include more than 3,500 live and recorded events in the first year, including college and pro sports. Josh Elliott and Trey Wingo of ESPN show up on stage. Show interactive elements, including the ability to use Kinect voice commands to participate in real-time polls and trivia, and call for custom instant replays.

As I've said in the past, this was one of the last things keeping me from getting rid of cable entirely. Whitten tells the crowd it will be available with an Xbox Live Gold subscription for no additional cost.

He leaves the stage with no Hulu announcement. Maybe a "one more thing" for later on?

Kinect creative director Kudo Tsunoda comes on stage. Cute live demo of Kinectamals interactive animal caretaking game, looks like that could be an interesting one to watch. Kinect Sports demo, track and field, soccer, etc. Kinect JoyRide. More details on many of these games available in my post from this morning about my experience with the initial Kinect game demos here at E3 last night.

Funny moment, next Microsoft presenter comes out to show the Kinect Adventures game, says thank you to "Lorenzo Lamas," referring Tsunoda, who seems to always wear sunglasses, even inside, including today. I've hear that this habit of his is a source of many jokes and considerable ribbing inside the Xbox team.

Demo of Ubisoft's "Your Shape: Fitness Evolved" from Ubisoft, another of the Kinect games I got a chance to try last night. This one kicked my butt, got my heart rate up considerably. Kinect scans rough image of "Your Shape" user's body and displays on screen. This is pretty cool: The game takes a person's shape into consideration in creating training regimen.

As I noted in my post this morning, though, there's a noticeable lag in this game between the live action and the time it gets translated into motion on the screen. It's even more obvious in this demo on stage. Here's hoping that gets addressed in the final version.

Now "Dance Central" from Harmonix, which uses the Kinect camera to track the user's dance moves to see if they're following accurately with the virtual dancers on stage. Based on the silhouette at the end, this game appears to be tracking with no noticeable lag. Hopefully the "Your Shape" issue is specific to that game.

Microsoft's Spencer announces worldwide launch of Kinect on Nov. 4. Promises "broad lineup" of more than 15 launch titles. As noted in my post this morning, no pricing announcement yet. I wouldn't be surprised if this also ends up being the opening date for Microsoft's Bellevue Square store.

Spencer announces exclusive arrangement with LucasArts, George Lucas' studio. Star Wars in-game video is shown, projects gamer on screen in Jedi garb for light-saber fight, Darth Vader showdown. Teaser at end promises 2011 launch.

Turn 10 Studios reps come out, looks like a new Forza racing game will be released for Kinect. 2011 launch for this one, as well.

Microsoft games boss Mattrick is back, does he have more up his sleeve, or just a summary of what has been announced? "We are transforming our industry" as the new decade begins, he says. Says Microsoft gaming will reach hundreds of millions in the decade ahead, a new era for the company.

Yep, he says he has something special to share, introduces "your new Xbox 360," the slim black version that everyone has been expecting. Lifts an existing Xbox 360 casing, revealing new console, to show how small it is. 250 GB hard drive, built-in wifi, says the price will be $299, same as existing 120 GB Xbox 360 that comes with just an ethernet post.

Says it will be shipping to retailers starting today, and finishes with an Oprah moment, promising that everyone in the audience at the E3 event today will be shipped one free. Big cheer from the crowd.

And that's it, the crowd is now filing out. No Hulu announcement, or Eminem cameo, but lots of interesting news to digest.