MathewKumar
on - last edited on
One of the things I've heard most people excited about with Kinect is not so much its potential for games--which I suppose is surprising in a way--but its potential as a human computer interface. References to Minority Report are a bit cliché (and let's be honest: that film blew) but I suppose we're a bit closer as Netflix for Xbox 360 now allows users with a Kinect to select and control movies and TV using motion controls.
“By integrating Kinect into the Netflix experience on Xbox LIVE, we’re continuing to transform the way people enjoy their favourite entertainment in the living room,” said Pete Thompson, General Manager, Xbox LIVE. “Since its launch, Netflix has always been one of the most popular services on Xbox LIVE, so we are excited to deliver a brand new way to control this experience in a way that can’t be found anywhere else.”
There are a few stumbling blocks for the Xbox Live version of Netflix--not only do you need to own all that hardware, you also need an Xbox Live Gold account, which ups the fee a little--however by launching Netflix from the system's Kinect Hub, you can select from the titles on offer using voice and hand gestures, and when the film/TV show is playing, you can play, pause, fast forwad and rewind with the wave of your hand or the sound of your voice.
“Netflix continues to provide its more than 20 million members in the U.S. and Canada unparalleled convenience, selection and value,” said Netflix Vice President of Corporate Communications Steve Swasey. “With thousands and thousands of titles available to watch instantly, paired with the innovation of Kinect and the power of Xbox LIVE, this is an entirely new way for Netflix members to enjoy instantly watching TV shows and movies streaming from Netflix on their TVs.”
What say you, readers? Is this the kind of thing you're going to do, or are we simply too used to using physical controls for this sort of thing? I've got to say I think I'll be quicker to navigate using the controller, but I suppose being able to yell "Xbox stop!" will come in handy when there's a scary film on...
