Microsoft has confirmed to MCV that Kinect will not boast any voice control functionality or the chat software ‘Video Kinect’ at launch, and that gamers will have to wait until a later date.
Speaking at Gamescom, Xbox Live marketing manager – Robin Burrowes – had the following to say;
“We will be announcing when voice control will be turned on in due course.”
This is some very surprising news, bearing in mind that voice control is one of the major points Microsoft has been focusing on. The uphill struggle for Kinect continues.
Source: MCV
UPDATE: Microsoft has spoken to TSA regarding MCV’s story and has said the following;
“Voice control is an exciting part of the ‘Kinect for Xbox 360’ controller-free experience and we can confirm that it will be available at launch in November 2010. Only on Xbox 360 will you be able to navigate the Kinect Hub using your voice to control your movies, TV Shows and music. We do not have additional details to share about local voice availability at this time.”
On a side note, they have also spoken to us regarding yesterday’s story that Kinect requires a player to be four to five feet from Kinect;
“Comments recently about the play space for “Kinect” were misinterpreted. It is true that the “Kinect” sensor reads the configuration of your room and adjusts play space, as appropriate. We know that living rooms come in all shapes and sizes, and have conducted numerous play tests to ensure everyone will be able to jump off the couch and into the fun when “Kinect” launches globally this holiday.
Alex_Assassin_08
Do…do…
seriously?
Um…
Does Microsoft…
WHAT?!
stonyk
ha ha ha ha ha…..
They should sell Kinect as being able to clean up the house, wash the dishes etc, then just say *not available at launch.
Soild_Nat
Looks like the update clarify s the position, maybe the excitement of all the great games MS announced at Gamescom caused that guy to make a mistake!….. alright that was a low blow but someones head is going to be rolling for making those comments.
eirekun
Ok please forgive the stupidity, but that update confuses me. Could someone please un-PR it for me?
“Only on Xbox 360 will you be able to navigate the Kinect Hub” – well it’s not made for any other machine (yet), so that’s hardly news.
“Local voice availability” – Controlling the XBox with a (local) voice is the feature. Surely video chat is Network or W(L)AN voice availability.
cc_star
Well the update to the article makes much more sense, not that anyone will take notice and will just continue slating it wherever & whenever possible.
Squalje
I’ve taken notice :)
nemesisND1derboy
In all fairness I doubt the wonderful TSA community would slate it without reason.
stonyk
note taken, however is it just me or are these people freaks. Does anyone speak like that in real life?
I never jump off the sofa and into the fun. The only person I know who might is 3 years old, and the sofa is broken from all the jumping.
minerwilly
Microsoft – ” Only on Xbox 360 will you be able to navigate the Kinect Hub using your voice to control your movies, TV Shows and music.”
Oh ok that clears that up , i thought id be able to Navigate the Kinect Hub with PS3 Bluetooth Headset or with my ZX Spectrum , Thanks Microsoft.
Quinlank
Another Kinect fail story already? Lot of them around lately, but this WOULD have been one of the worst of them if not for the hasty yet still unclear retraction by Microsoft.
Simple fact is the Xbox Live manager guy that started this furor isn’t likely to have just pulled this out of his ass from nowhere, there’s probably something they’re trying to hide here, and I’m betting it’s got something to do with the stories about Kinect being unable to recognise certain regional accents, which would support the idea of “some areas” not having active voice functions at launch ready as is now being suggested.
Begs the question of what people without an internet connection for their console are supposed to do if their 130 pound webcam doesn’t support their accent at launch are meant to do. If this is aimed at the casual market, they can’t go relying on downloadable patches after the fact to fix any issues, it’ll need to work as advertised out of the box or it might be lawsuit time again.
spek
Does anyone who owns an xbox and has a live account actually know about all these ups and downs, ins and outs, WILL and WILL NOT about the long awaited kiect?
Because i know a few people who seem to think the ‘Nathal’ (as they still call it) will recognise their body heat when they walk in the room and it will know wether your in a good mood or a bad mood.
You will also be able to say ‘on’ ‘off’ ‘play’ ‘stop’ ‘fast forward’ etc etc and flick throuugh menu at a flick of a wrist (while sat down)
To be honest I LMFAO and it’s obviously chinese whispers through the head set but i would have thought M$ would keep subscribers up to date or at least advertise on LIVE being as it is under 2 months until relese.