Microsoft Releases Voice-Controlled TV for Xbox 360
Microsoft launched a new update to the Xbox 360 software that allows “Kinect-based” voice controls for all types of content, according to BGR.
Microsoft declared a “revolution is happening in the living room.”
This comes amidst rumors of Apple releasing a Siri-enabled HDTV product. Siri is an intelligent software assistant that allows users to control it by voice. The software is currently only available for the iPhone 4S.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Along with the new software, Microsoft announced a variety of on-demand services.
Don Mattrick, president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft, said a “new era in entertainment begins where all your entertainment is together in one place - your games, movies, TV shows, music and sports.”
“Microsoft has just built and delivered it: A single box that ties together all the content you want, made easily accessible through a universal, natural, voice-directed search. This is now the benchmark against which all other living room initiatives should be compared,” said James McQuivey of Forrester Research.
Instead of going from channel to channel looking for your favorite shows, the new software allows one to find it simply by using his or her voice.
Microsoft also released details on what type of services would be available. Starting Dec. 6: EPIX, ESPN for Xbox Live, Hulu, Hulu Plus, LOVEFiLM, Netflix, Premium Play by (MediaSet), Sky Go (SkyDE), Telefónica España, TODAY (MSNBC), will be available in the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Italy, Germany, and Canada respectively.
Twenty-seven more on-demand services will be available for various parts of the globe towards the end of December and seven more are scheduled to be released early next year.
