Microsoft: A 'vast majority' of Xbox One Kinect owners still use peripheral

Kinect certainly isn't the integral part of the Xbox One it was at launch, but it remains an active part of how owners of the camera and microphone array interact with the console, Microsoft tells Polygon.

[TheGreatGamer]

Glad to hear Cortana will work with headsets now, I'm sure that'll make a lot of XB1 gamers without kinect happy

[otherZinc]

Of course we use Kinect still. I'll have my 3rd XBOX ONE with Kinect on the 20th, picking the up my daughters Halo 5 XBOX ONE. Have to get the Kinect separate at $150, but that's ok.

[ASSASSYN]

Getting a halo edition also. I am keeping my Kinect. The darn thing works.

[XBLSkull]

Kinect is awesome, couldn't imagine gaming without it - actually I can cause I play PC and PS4, and it's not nearly as nice.

[Mr Pumblechook]

Polygon, the Microsoft mouthpiece spouts their paymasters' hymn sheet yet again.

PR "The vast majority of Xbox One owners still use the peripheral" Yet they refuse to share the numbers. Please stop with this endless PR. You cannot make a bold statement by basing it on what a company's PR agent has said, you have to base it on raw numbers.

Brian Crescente used to be a real journalist, until he surrendered it all to become a point man for Polygon/Microsoft. He is a disgrace to the industry.

[Klamba92]

Interesting so they decided to let Cortana work with headsets now, that's great for those without Kinect and maybe even those who use it but mainly for voice actions!

I personally use it for all voice actions which should be improved even more with Cortana and signing in as well as occasionally scanning QR codes. I hated the gestures as they would barely work half the time and was much slower than the controller let alone voice. That said with Cortana coming to headsets I may just end up shelving the Kinect! Any others thinking to do the same?

[Magnes]

Would be sweet if the new controller had a built in mic

[Sonyslave3]

A stars War bundle with Kinect would be a killer, gives off the feeling you're a jedi.

[stuna1]

They already tried that! It didn't turn out so good.

[kenmid]

I used my Kinect everyday I couldn't imagine not having it.

[Gozer]

Same here. I couldn't imagine not having it in my household. I control every part of tv entertainment while changing diapers, cooking, dressing, etc. It would be a pain in the ass to have to go back to chasing 2-3 remotes around the house. If mine ever malfunctions, Ill replace it before I go back to remote control hell.

[conanlifts]

Same here. I'm getting a 2nd xbox one for my kids and find it disappointing they don't do any decent kinect bundles. Using it for netflix and also games like just dance with the kids is great.

[Kribwalker]

Me too. I usually do Xbox fitness around January too before my baseball season starts back up in April, that's a great program too

[BG11579]

And MS knows that you are using it...
I wonder if they don't know more things...

[Rearden]

I use mine too. As a paperweight.

[vallencer]

The hilarious part of your statement is you can actually still use the kinect while using it as a paperweight. It's a win win and not much of an insult toward xbox.

[Crazay]

I can't say I hate my kinect. Yes, at times, it can be aggravating when I tell it to do something and it does something else (Opening Oneguide is the most frequent thing it likes to go to) but when it works it's great. With Cortana coming to the system, I have to think it's going to be a much better experience and I'm really excited to see how she works out.

[conanlifts]

I like kinect but have concerns about cortana. Being married and having 2 girls im kind of concerned that Cortana will be yet another female who doesn't listen to me.

[Lenrulesdaworld]

Awesome joke from another married man that understands your plight my friend.

[Magnes]

I read your comment to my wife and she lol'd

[creeping judas]

Very funny sd11

[DeadManMMX]

For its Plex it seems to go to for no reason but that's rare. Most of the time it works fine. I love this thing and always will.

[Benchm4rk]

I still use mine. Only for facial recognition sign in and recording clips or yelling at it to stop listening when it picks up something while im in a conversation with someone

[Gazondaily]

Same here. Its wicked.

It actually makes things faster.

(lol at the bitter disagrees)

[Notellin]

I'm happy I'm not one of these people. Sold mine to some sucker that bought his Xbox one without a kinect.

[Sitdown]

But didn't that make you a sucker first?

[conanlifts]

That's the real question. Is the true sucker the one who bought it and sold it for less or the one who bought it barely used, for less money.

[Notellin]

Actually no it doesnt.

Considering I bought mine when there wasn't an Xbox one available without kinect I'd say I'm no sucker and made the right choice. Ive had plenty of good times with my xbox one before they announced a sku without a kinect.

I also chose to beliieve Microsoft when they said they wouldn't sell an Xbox one without a kinect which is the only part of this in which I was ever the sucker.

So really I'd say I made out pretty good considering he bought it for 65$.

[Immorals]

It's really strange using someones xbox that doesn't have one. Doesn't feel like the complete experience.

Mine gets tons of use, by myself and my girlfriend!

[Aceman18]

When I finally get to buy an X1 with will be without kinect, I don't need it to operate my cable I can do just fine with my cable remote.

[Immorals]

You won't understand unless you have one. It's just so practical, it's lots of little things that make your life easier;

not having to turn on the controller to pause Netflix, being able to turn your xbox, TV, sound system and cable box without lifting a finger, snapping apps effortlessly, the Skype is really good quality and plus there are a few good games for it. Well worth the price of admission.

[Aceman18]

Well I tried it on my brother X1 and didn't like it. My brother didn't even keep it a month after purchasing the system.

Also I don't do Skype personally lol. These are the games I'm looking forward too when I get it

Crackdown (main campaign)
Sunset overdrive
Quantum Break
Scalebound (looks interesting enough)

As for kinect it will not step one foot into my studio apartment lol.

[MCTJim]

I use mine and I love it. I have always made sure it was calibrated correctly and it works perfectly. Those that dont have it will be missing out on the newer features.

[AizenSosuke]

Kinect!!!!!!!!

[AizenSosuke]

is good !

[abcde-12345]

....at being bad!

[Chivas11]

Gotta get your money's worth

[lameguy]

I use mine for the features it was meant for - A few system commands, Skype, and broadcasting on twitch.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

I don't think Kinect is bad tech, I think the reality is MS messed up in making it mandatory when it just wasn't a mandatory component. People saw through that and wanted it to be an option as it did add to costs. I have come around on it its value to the system and see it for what it is...a nice option but not a mandatory option.

[yankolo]

I use it every day..

[Aloy-Boyfriend]

I've heard they use a controller to play too

[no_more_heroes]

I admit to using some simple voice commands and a hand gesture or two every now and then.

Its worked 95% of the times I have used it.

[OpenGL]

Of course they do, why would they not use it if they already own the peripheral?

[i3eyond the Circle]

Not having to find my gosh darn cable remote comes in clutch.

Why because it visits Narnia for at least 15 hours a day.

Signing in just by sitting and QR codes makes not having to type in those long codes anymore a godsend.

Haven't experienced Cortana yet but I'm sure it adds the social connectivity I've been waiting for with the Kinect. "Cortana start a party with ______" is just one of the little things keeping players In the game.

[Immorals]

Didn't even think about the QR scanner, so useful!

Lots of disagrees going around, it's almost like people know how we use our kinect better than we do :p

[Automatic79]

I use my Kinect for Xbox On, auto sign in, go straight to my digital games, snap achievements, TV etc plus download games, credit no need to type.

[Lennoxb63]

I don't even use my controller unless I'm playing a game. Everything else I do with the Kinect. Its at the point where its odd to use the X1 without. I get around from app to app or game to game so quickly. Multitasking is essential for grinding on certain games or waiting in a multiplayer lobby. Couldn't imaging the X1 without it.

[t-hall785]

same here ...i use my controller to browse the internet and play games that's it. anything else my kinect does. I really hope the next xbox has one. mandatory or not i'm getting one.

[Lennoxb63]

I hope the next Xbox shows features and games for the Kinect to convince more people to want to pay for it. Cause to me, it's more than worth it.

[FlexLuger]

The momemnt I knew I wanted a kinect:

I was playing BTB with a bunch of my XBL peeps. capture the flag to be exact....Im carrying the flag..pistol in the other hand..and septic in tow...who just lost our mongoose (silly spartan!)...making our way back to our pace and we stomped on EVERYTHING between me and homebase...We let rip on about 5 guys at one point..septic randomly yells "xbox..record that"...The only thing I was thinking while doing the whole double tap to record thing was..."damn...I think I want a kinect now"...I will get one at some point, especially with this whole cortana thing. I want to bark orders at my console too! lol

[LexHazard79]

I sold mine..maybe next time.

[iistuii]

Xbox record that. That's the only thing I'd use one for. I don't like the idea of double tapping the home button, in fact the new dash that doesn't do that anymore, I'm not sure how to do it now..

[Lenrulesdaworld]

actually lmao it still does, double tap and at the top of the game screen boom its there. lol

[iistuii]

Ah yeah, as soon as I double tapped home I was drawn to my friends list & didn't notice it, urrg

[PistolsAtDawn]

I just got my second Xbox and I got it with Kinect again. After traveling and not brining my Kinect I can't imagine going without it.... I feel like anyone that doesn't get one is only getting half the experience. To each their own of course...i just feel it makes every thing better.

[ScorpiusX]

Every day and chance am in the living room or bedroom , that Kinect has replaced the remotes in my house big time. Can't see us ever using a remote again.

[abcde-12345]

I wouldn't have bought my Xbox if Kinect was in the box with it.

[Sy_Wolf]

Bullshit, but I applaud Microsoft for attempting to pretend like it wasn't a horrible idea and that people actually care about it.

[DeadManMMX]

Those of us that have Kinect use it literally all the time. How is this in anyway bullshit.

@Sy_Wolf

No MOST of us that have it use it. I don't know anyone who has it that doesn't and you can just read through the comments and see it with your eyes. You call it garbage because you don't want it but having it makes the system more convenient to use and is only a plus.

[Sy_Wolf]

Just because some people use it doesn't mean most people use it. You know, like what Microsoft said. It's garbage that no one wanted. That's why they went from making it required to making it optional. Their sales went way up right after that happened. That's not a coincidence, that's the market showing that they don't want Kinect. If it was so important and actually used there would be games that support it, but no one wants it, so no support is happening.

[Shuckylad]

To right to use it, I payed premium price launch day. I want some value for money out of it.

[ApocalypseShadow]

And not one person above talks about that innovative game they use it for.barking out voice commands and motion swiping.Cool I'll admit.useless for games.

Not used for halo5.not used for forza6.not used for gears 4.just not useful where its supposed to MATTER.it wouldn't matter as much if Microsoft didn't push it as next gen.

for the remote yes.for games?no.

https://m.youtube.com/watch...
Remember that video where the kid was fighting?yup.never happened.version 2 for Xbox one?yup,still didn't happen. But hey,it reads your heart beat and has all these sensors and doohickeys.

Gamers play games.it should be for games.it isn't.But nice tech though.

[DeadManMMX]

The only reason it isn't used for games is because of the HUGE negative backlash towards it in the beginning of the Gen. When PS4 debundled their camera to make 399 it pretty much killed regular integration by 3rd parties. MS themselves were gun shy about using it after the botched reveal TV, kinect, Movies, blah blah blah. There was plenty that could have been done with thing its a shame. Some indie developers are putting it to work at least.

[OneLove]

@Apocalypse if you want to put it like that, voice commands in games work really well. I could name a few but I don't think that would even matter.

[ApocalypseShadow]

I speak of it because I was looking forward to something along those lines.something different.I've played almost every fighting game and 2d beat-em-ups.I lean more towards street fighter and virtual fighter but all fighting games for kinect were trash. Remember this:

https://m.youtube.com/watch...

And this:
https://m.youtube.com/watch...

I was really hoping for something in 3d.but Microsoft blew it for me.

[rashada07]

I mean.. mine is plugged in.. I did pay for it but; do I use it? Not really.

"Xbox on."
"Xbox on."
"XBOX ON"
*walk over grab controller touch xbox one logo- system on

[Gwynbleidd]

Recalibrate dude, mine works 9 out of 10 times. I recalibrate after each system update. The right calibration is so crucial for this gorgeous device. Could not imagine the xbox experience without kinect, wouldn't miss it for the world.

[rashada07]

I honestly do that every so long- I'll give it another go on calibration. I mainly use it (when it works) while watching movies.

[hiawa23]

I would not buy an X1 without Kinect. I love it. Xbox on, xbox off, xbox go to. I love its in game voice useage. I use mine 95% of the time, and when I play my other consoles I find myself wanting the same features.

[gamer7804]

i really miss kinect when I'm using any of my other 3 consoles that don't have it. Its not a must have for games, but great for UI control, and fun party/dance/workout titles.

[DivineAssault]

I highly doubt kinect is something xb players care about. The games using the controller is what they care about.. Not saying words or waving their hands around hoping its responsive.. Precise controls are needed for core games.. They wouldnt be releasing that $150 elite controller the same day as Halo if kinect was so important..

[Artemidorus]

Mine has been packed up for well over a year. It is a gimmck I got bored of it quickly.

[Dinkis]

Ill take it off your hands

[Artemidorus]

You can have the whole console at the right price it's been left abandoned since I got myself a Playstation 4

[LastcenuryRob]

Whaever..You never owned and X1. If you did you would be at the very least playing some of the exclusive games for it.

[Artemidorus]

You want a picture of it?

[Zcarnut]

MS really dropped the ball with it. I like my Kinect, but they just haven't offered many good games that use it.

[mochachino]

If you paid $150 for it, why not use it.

[Detox024]

Just never got the support it needed so I never got it. Played with it at a buddies house thought it had potential but never reached it's potential.

[LastcenuryRob]

The Kinect is awesome! the only mistake MS made was not including it free (or at the very least at cost) if they really wanted to bring it to the gaming world. Of course that would have been a big monetary loss for them.

[FanMan]

I never use mine.

[B1uBurneR]

If it wasn't for the Kinect then I wouldn't have said Xbox as much a day. I don't know how to feel about other than what a waste of breath but you know at the same time there's alot of muscles I didn't move.. wow just realized how much of a..... I need to work out.

[DerrickCole]

I love the Kinect. I can't count the number of times I've yelled "xbox volume down" while playing ps4 out of habit.

[Clown_Syndr0me]

to be honest I used to use it a lot. But it hasn't been out since January now and haven't felt the need to get it out.
It will come back out over Christmas for Just Dance 16 though. Probably again the year after.

That's not to say it's bad, it's actually pretty impressive, just don't use it due to personal preference.