Microsoft is making several big changes to the Xbox One, and one of those changes is how voice command works. The plan is to bring Cortana to the table, but the voice assistant will work a little different when compared to what is available now.
At the moment, if users want to use voice commands on the Xbox One, they must have a Kinect camera attached to the console. Microsoft designed the Xbox One to work closely in tandem with the new Kinect sensor, so it means voice commands only works via the sensor's microphones. However, the software giant is making plans to change that by bringing support for headsets.
Next year when Cortana launches for the Xbox One, users should be able to make commands without having to own a Kinect sensor. Using the microphone on their gaming headsets should work just fine, something we believe Microsoft should have supported since the console's 2013 launch.
Going this route might give users more incentive to use voice commands since many will no longer feel the need purchase a Kinect camera that costs a whopping $150 at retail.
Outside of Cortana for the Xbox One, Microsoft is making moves to end Kinect gesture controls. The new user interface does not support it, so it means by early next year, all Xbox One owners with Kinect will no longer be able to navigate the menu using their hands and fingers.
"That currently exists in the Xbox One experience, but we found so few people use it," according to Mike Nichols, chief marketing officer for Xbox. "Why should we keep designing for that scenario?"
As Microsoft slowly shifts its focus from Kinect, this could be a sign that Xbox One owners should not expect any new game that is centered around the sensor. The few games that were, did not perform well at retail or in the eyes of critics.
Photo: Mack Male | Flickr
