Kinect for Netflix is a Catastrophe. Microsoft Has No Idea What to Do with Kinect

Kotaku.com: "Let's find out how long it takes to select and watch our favorite Netflix movie using Kinect instead of the Xbox 360 controller!" That was the simple metric we wanted to try to test the new Kinect support in the Xbox version of Netflix. I suspected that it'd take a little bit longer to use Kinect's motion controls, but that it'd be worth the extra time to forgo the controller entirely.

[wwm0nkey]

See kotaku could have left out that last line and put "Kinect for Netflix is a Catastrophe."

This app is bad though and could be GREATLY improved if it wasnt for the fact it only goes off suggestions.

[artynerd]

I have to disagree - I'm convinced Microsoft has no clue what to do with Kinect.

Kinect Sports is a great title, and I still play it online with friends to this day, but other than that... nothing much going on.

[wwm0nkey]

I think E3 is the big deciding point if Kinect will become a hardcore and more used device.

It will NEED some sort of Controller input to be considered hardcore though. a Wii/Move like controller input would be great.

(yes I am aware the original concept of Kinect was you are the controller but the PS Eye didnt have a Move like device in the PS2 days either)

[gamingdroid]

Kinect works just fine on last.fm and (the small sections I tried of) Zune Video.

There really isn't much difference between the interfaces needed.

How about you show us a video of a product then I might be inclined to believe you. Right now, it sounds more like they didn't enable you to access anything else other than the suggested movies.

@wwm0nkey:

I find it ironic that now Wii style motion controls are considered "hardcore" now. I guess all Kinect will need is something more casual, then suddenly Kinect is hardcore! :)

[DualConsoleOwner]

There is just no sense is waving your arm around and etc with lags and glitches when you can simply press a button.

[JBaby343]

Whether Kinect, Move, or Wii, I still have no use for motion gaming. Here's hoping MS fixes this for the casual crowd that can't work analog sticks and buttons.

[Soldierone]

@ Monkey. Not going to happen. If they do that then MS has to lose the camera. Sony holds rights to motion controls via a controller and camera. And if MS did abandon it...well I feel bad for everyone that owns the camera.

And this is true, MS has no idea what to do with it. I see better "hacks" coming from Kinect that are more interesting and awesome than anything MS is putting out....

[badz149]

that Kinect hacks are getting more positive views from users than the official app released by M$. got to admit that many Kinect hacks are kinda awesome but as far as what it does on 360, I might say, meh...

[EVILDEAD360]

So let's be clear..

Before said update..Kinect had ZERO control over Netflix..

After the update..Kinect has some capabilities over the search..but you can now use your voice during the movie to pause..play etc.

But Kotaku want's to pretend it's the end of the world?..GTFOH..

Nothing changed..use your controller to find your flick and play it..instead of finding your controller when you want to pause..you can now use Kinect voice capabilities voice instead..

Far from Catastrophic End..more like humble beginnings..

Anyone with a brain knows Microsoft wanted full capabilites for Kinect with Zune movies..

So the idiot at Kotaku whose getting the fan kid hits is completely wrong..

Fact..Microsoft knows EXACTLY what to do with Kinect..

I personally love my Kinect..use it more than any motion control device I own..and I own all 3..

I use it to workout..own 3 workout games..Fitness evolved..EA Active 2.0 (after the 50 dollar price drop..and biggest loser..alternating days and workouts

The 4 other games that get the most run at my place are Kinect Sports, Dance Central, Motion Sports, and Brunswick bowling

I use it for Zune Movies..music..and Last FM

I bought one for my sister who lives across the country and we use it to see the new baby over the 65 inch big screen..Kinect to Kinect conferencing kills Skype for these kinds of moments..

Again..Catastrophe..Nope..upd ate away from full Netflix capabilities? Highly probable

If I were a betting man..they will probably save it for an E3 announcement in a couple of months

Just my take

Child of Eden FTW..

Evil

[Ethereal]

I want to see what microsoft brings to the table games wise for E3. I hope it's not like last year...

[jneul]

@wwmonkey they was researching the possibility of tracking other objects as part of r&d for move nice try, even i know ms is researching into tracking the 360 controller, to give six-axis like functionality, however its one hell of an expensive way to have six-axis control:-D

[Asgaro]

I still don't get how people can be so stupid to buy Kinect at release, if they are expecting hardcore games?!

"I told you see" seems in place here.

Same as what happened with the Wii, lucky I sold it and from then on I never made a mistake like that again.

[hennessey86]

REDONCULAS

[iPad]

Kinect could be a good device... outside of gaming.

[Shang-Long]

agreed.... it could be a go device in gaming tho, if it wasn't so limited

[malamdra]

when it comes to gaming Kinect with follow the Sixaxis path:

a curiosty item at first that can be fun but after a while it will be clear that it has no real application for gaming and anything done with it it's always better with a controller

so it will gradually being phased out

[badz149]

although there are still some use for it in some games like KZ3. very minimal, I know but the thing is, sixaxis come pre-installed with every PS3 purchase while Kinect cost an extra $150! if both are going down...Kinect will surely take the cake for the bigger failure!

almost 10mil sold and M$ still not get it right! amazing how big bucks in marketing works, ha?

[fr0sty]

I won't play warhawk without sixaxis. the analog is nowhere near as sensitive as tilting for steering/flying.

[Soldierone]

@Tim that has to be one of the worst lists to defend anything....Move has Sports Champions and 5 or so exercise games too...does that make it an auto success...No, its the fact Sony has found a way to work it into core games and add new experiences to mainstream titles as a bonus.

MS is heading in the right direction with the Netflix feature and so on, but it isn't there yet. Right now its nothing more than a gimmick...Tickle Me Elmo did the same thing, people were impressed for a month and now you don't see it anywhere. Innovation doesn't end at the attempt, it ends when you can't tweak it any further.

[R834]

The difference being the Sixaxis sensor comes in the controller for free, whereas you have to pay for Kinect.

From what I've seen, Kinect looks good fun, but not outside casual games - I think they limited themselves by not having a controller.

Sony took the safer route by following a path that Nintendo has already explored and it paid off - the Move works fine, even with 'hardcore' games, such as Killzone 3.

[xxLuckyStrike]

I could care less about kinect.. I returned mine after about 3 weeks in which 2 of those weeks it collected dust.. anyway whatever the update was the movies sure load alot faster..

[eggbert]

"but that it'd be worth the extra time to forgo the controller entirely."

I don't get why people think this? Your pretty much saying

"It's going to take longer and be more difficult, but its better because I have to move my entire arm instead of my thumbs."

[JsonHenry]

I agree man. Now if they were using Kinect voice activated abilities I could see this being helpful. But the controller just make better sense when the motion control is such a hassle.

[Red]

It does use voice.

[eggbert]

It doesn't use voice, Kotaku was JUST complaining about the lack of voice control.

[Dorwrath]

@eggbert Yes it uses voice controls, not in the way he wants it too. It uses voice for movie commands, like play, pause, stop, rewind, fast forward etc.

Thats the only plus point of it so far, I don't have to reach for the controller when I need to go to the bathroom or go get coffee for example "Xbox pause".

Personally they should have held off release until it was fully kinect enabled.

[ChozenWoan]

The sad part is that the best use of Kinect tech is the voice commands, yet the xbox has had a mic for some time. So why didn't they just add the voice commands a long time ago?

[mastiffchild]

But even voice commands are slower than a button AND less accurate. I can read a million times faster in my head than out loud and pressing a button compared to talking? Same thing. Even if this worked as well as possible it would still be pointless and noone would use it unless showing their mates. Too slow and we're too lazy and too hurried to use it past novelty value.

[soundslike]

its better cuz "its the future, maaaaan"

[RankFTW]

Made me lol.

[Zeevious]

I have to agree...it's why I returned mine. I've spent that $150 on 3 great games since then. You know...what the console is made for...GAMES.

To me...it just isn't what Microsoft claimed it was, or would do.
Netflix/Kinect is a perfect example.

I'll buy Kinect again when it actually does what I was promised. Right now, 6 months after release it still has a 1/2 done voice interface, 1/2 done motion interface, and WHERE ARE THE GAMES?

I didn't buy this to run random PC Hackware on it -- I Don't care...I bought it to play innovative games. (Not slightly upgraded Eyetoy games)

I may get another one when Child of Eden is released, but by then I expect the voice interface to work everywhere and the motion interface to not just be some 1/2 done subset of my 360's real interface.

I'd be just as critical of Move, but it works everywhere, even in the browser and a list of games patched to support it from day 1. Where is the similar support for Kinect? I can think of great games that would have worked with Kinect...but nothing from Microsoft. Not one single patch for my games to support it.

I think the review here is a little harsh but do agree, it's like Microsoft raked in the cash from the first sales and now have left Kinect to rot.

Where are the games is what I ask.

Where are my games?