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Microsoft Adds Kinect Support For Netflix

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the more-lazy-please dept.

Arneh writes "Microsoft today released an update for the Xbox 360 which brings Kinect support for the popular Netflix application. Users will be prompted to upgrade the next time they start up Netflix." Finally, a remote that my 3-year-old can't hide.

3 of 69 comments (clear)

  1. Sort of. . . by Zenaku · · Score: 4, Interesting

    If the facts stated in this review are accurate, Microsoft should be embarrassed by this level of "support."

    http://kotaku.com/#!5792076/kinect-for-netflix-is-a-catastrophe-microsoft-has-no-idea-what-to-do-with-kinect

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    1. Re:Sort of. . . by HermMunster · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I was going to say that if anyone has experience with the Kinect they'd know that it is a difficult tool to use in order to select things. I can't imagine going back and forth scrolling thumbnail art and making selections. Talk about super slow and unresponsive. Work needs to be done on the Kinect before it really can be considered a good input tool.

      As far as games go, it seems OK. It is responsive enough while in the game, but when outside choosing items on the screen, well, it lacks, a lot.

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  2. One down, one to go by BitZtream · · Score: 4, Interesting

    When I got my Kinect and played with it for navigation of the dashboard for a while I immediately realized I wanted 2 things.

    Kinect control of Windows Media Center, which powers all the TVs in my home via XBox 360 extenders

    Kinect control of Netflix.

    One down, hopefully it doesn't suck, but unless they've changed something major the biggest problem I can see is that the Kinect stops sensing me the instant I sit on the couch or the recliner in my living room. Seems to be ubiquitous and happens in Dance Central, Kinect Adventures, Your Shape Fitness and the dashboard, so while I haven't been home yet to actually test it out, I'm guessing this isn't really going to let me stop hunting for the WMC remote since I'll probably have to get out of my seat to get the kinect to listen to me.

    Voice activation works, so if it allows good voice navigation than it'll probably be Ok.

    I really hope they update the media center extender software for xbox with voice commands or make the gesture recognition work when seated. Its a little obnoxious at first but once you get used to it as a control interface its not entirely horrible for short periods of time. I certainly wouldn't want to do something like compose an email or text that way however.

    haven't been home to test it out yet so I'm just guessing that is

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