Microsoft Adds Kinect Support For Netflix

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.

Comments

Sort of. . .

[Zenaku]

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

Re:Sort of. . .

[Zenaku]

Fortunately, I think the reviewer may be doing something wrong.

(sorry for the self reply, I left off the last part of my comment in a link pasting snafu.)

Re:Sort of. . .

[DanTheStone]

I wouldn't be surprised if he weren't doing anything wrong. The ESPN3 app for Kinect doesn't let you go through the On-Demand listings of different sports, only the 8 games they suggest. They really should have added Kinect emulation of a controller to the normal apps, instead of creating new Kinect-only versions.

I, of course, intend to try this out as soon as I get home from work.

Re:Sort of. . .

[HermMunster]

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.

Why?

[Lunaritian]

Sure, it may be cooler to watch videos by waving your arms, but still... buttons are more accurate and faster to use. What's wrong with using the controller for controls?

Re:Why?

[swanzilla]

Sure, it may be cooler to watch videos by waving your arms, but still... buttons are more accurate and faster to use. What's wrong with using the controller for controls?

Nothing. Sort of like eating sushi with a fork...may be more practical, but you will not rack up any style points in doing so.

Re:Why?

[StikyPad]

Sort of like eating sushi with a fork...may be more practical, but you will not rack up any style points in doing so.

Nor by waving your arms around vice pushing a few buttons, I'd say. In fact, if the situation were reversed where Kinect style controls were the norm, people would probably regard remotes like the second coming. "FINALLY, I don't have to wave my fucking arms around just to change the channel!"

Re:Why?

[demonbug]

Sure, it may be cooler to watch videos by waving your arms, but still... buttons are more accurate and faster to use. What's wrong with using the controller for controls?

Nothing. Sort of like eating sushi with a fork...may be more practical, but you will not rack up any style points in doing so.

Huh? Obviously you don't know how to use chopsticks... just as easy as using a fork.

This is more like using a trained chimpanzee to eat your sushi. Pointless, slow, unreliable, and the only possible reason anyone would ever do it is to show off to their buddies. Once.

Re:Why?

[by (1706743)]

It could be sorta handy to have it automatically pause if someone gets up to grab a beer / go to the bathroom / whatever, and then resume when said person returns.

Hardly something I've waited my whole life for, but still. I say, props to M$ for actually attempting to innovate. And I say this typing on a Microsoft keyboard with a Microsoft mouse...through Chrome under Debian...whoops.

Re:Why?

[PixetaledPikachu]

And I say this typing on a Microsoft keyboard with a Microsoft mouse...through Chrome under Debian...whoops.

I actually enjoy using computer peripherals made by Microsoft. 2 years a go I replaced my wireless logitech mouse with a Ms Wireless Mobile 4000 with bluetrack for my Lucid box. Their bluetrack mouses are cheaper than logitech's darkfield conterpart, use only 1 AA battery instead of 2, and work just as good. ..and not to mention that the XBOX360 controller is far more superior than logitech gamepad.

The interface is for Netflix is now Charades

[MosnarSgnik]

You want to see: A movie. One word. The first word is one syllable. You're moving up and down. Move your left arm to see "Jump", shake your left leg for "Hop".

One down, one to go

[BitZtream]

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

Direct URLS - skip the blog slashvertisements

[BitZtream]

The blog linked in the summary actually points to:

http://majornelson.com/2011/04/14/kinect-support-for-netflix/

As its information source, if you'd like to skip all the blog slashvertisements and go to the source, the actual source info is at:

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/Live/Netflix/Home

Can't wait to see what movements...

[s0litaire]

... netflix will use for users to unlock/order the adult content...

Re:Semaphores

[VGPowerlord]

Google already patented that for GMail with Google Motion. ;)

Kinect is worse than a remote with small children.

[BagOBones]

My three year old loves to yell out "XBOX" and "Cancel" every time I try and use it, and some times randomly when on the XBOX, this causes all sorts of random navigation fun.

For all those complaining about waving, it is voice activated as well.

Re:Sadly disappointed

[Locke2005]

They've already sold 15 million units? Mission accomplished! Why should they improve it now, you've already payed money for it!