Kinect is causing quite a bit of buzz not only for the innovative game play it brings to the Xbox 360 but for the whole slew of hacking that is associated with it as well. However, while there are a decent amount of games currently available for the Kinect, Microsoft has a whole other ecosystem in store that utilizes the technology dubbed Avatar Kinect.
If you couldn’t have guessed by the name, this new system allows you to utilizes both your Xbox 360 Avatar and Kinect system to hang out with your friends, chat it up and have a party – no, I’m not kidding. If you don’t believe me just check out the above trailer where an Avatar version of Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer shows off the Avatar Kinect system as it tracks eyebrow movement, smiles, laughter and much more.
Is this something that interests you or will it be another flop like PlayStation Live?
Before you read on make note that Steve Ballmer has been notorious for saying things that he didn’t mean to say. His latest remark is regarding the Xbox 360 that he gave during a Q&A session at the University of Washington. When asked about large-screen televisions and what Microsoft’s strategy was regarding the related hardware, Ballmer said the following:
For that big screen device … there’s no diversity. You get exactly the Xboxes that we build for you. We may have more form factors in the future that are designed for various price points and options, but we think it’s going to [be] important.
So, new form factors options and price points? Does this mean we will see a smaller Xbox 360 with new features (built-in WiFi?) and a smaller price tag? Let’s hope so and let’s also hope that Ballmer has his facts straigth this time around.
Rumors have been floating around ever since the HD DVD format died that a Blu-ray drive of sorts would be released for the Xbox 360. Microsoft has shut down such rumors in the past but now head honcho Steve Ballmer has taken center stage to comment on the possibility.
In a recent interview with Gizmodo, Ballmer was asked if we will ever see an Xbox 360 with a Blu-ray drive built-in to which he replied:
Well I don’t know if we need to put Blu-ray in there—you’ll be able to get Blu-ray drives as accessories.
Make note that Steve Ballmer has been known to fumble his words in the past but I think it’s safe to say we will definitely be seeing an external Xbox 360 Blu-ray drive at some point after Project Natal hits the market.
Earlier this month Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer was caught stating that a new Xbox 360 console will be released in 2010 sporting a built-in camera and a new interface. Shortly after, Microsoft proceeded to say that the executive was mistaken and that there will be no new console in 2010.
Well, it looks like Ballmer is back this time apologizing for his “misleading” statement saying, “I confused the issue with my poorly chosen words. There is no news in my comments. Things are as reported after E3. Sorry”.
Natal hopefuls need not be discouraged as the motion-sensing camera is still (presumably) slated for a release sometime in 2010. As for a new Xbox console? Probably not.
Earlier today Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer let everyone know that there will be a new Xbox 360 console released in 2010 sporting a built-in camera.
Well, according to Microsoft Ballmer may need to get his facts straight; Director of Productive Management for the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live over at Microsoft, Aaron Greenberg, told Kotaku:
There will be no new console… We’re not going to be launching a new console any time soon. I really believe he was speaking about Project Natal. We want to make sure people know that we’re excited about Project Natal but we’re barely halfway through this generation. We’re happy with the Xbox 360, so there are no changes from that standpoint. For the time being, we’re really just showing a new category of gaming.
Who will you believe? Steve Ballmer, or Aaron Greenberg. While it’s possible that Ballmer slipped up and announced a product before it was supposed to be announced it’s also possible that he got a new console mixed up with Project Natal. Either way, we shall see how this story unfolds as this isn’t the first time Microsoft has denied a new console rumor.
