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New Xbox Update Leaves Kinect Gestures By The Wayside
Microsoft has slowly been edging Kinect off the Xbox One stage, and the November 12 system update will further relegate the peripheral to the sidelines. Players won't be able to control the system's dashboard using Kinect gestures, thanks to low usage of the feature and the overall design philosophy behind the overhauled UI.
Microsoft's Mike Ybarra explained the decision in an interview with Windows Central, "With gestures, the reality was the usage was very, very low," Ybarra told the site. "So for now, we've cut that from the New Xbox One Experience. So when we launch on the 12th, they won't be in the product. We'll continue to monitor and listen to feedback to see if people want them in.
In other words, if you enjoyed combing through menus by using your hands, be sure to let Microsoft know. In the meantime, all they'll do in the new update is make you look a little odd.
[Source: Windows Central]
Our Take
I never used the Kinect gestures, so this isn't something that I'm going to miss. I'll be sure to raise hell if Microsoft decides to can voice shortcuts, however. Being able to say "Xbox, record that" whenever something amazing/goofy happens in a game has been a tremendous boon for my glitch-catching efforts.
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