The new Kinect for Xbox One comes bundled with the console and enables motion- and voice control out of the box. It features a 1080p camera compared to the VGA sensor on the original Kinect, processing 2 gigabits of data per second to accurately read its environment. The Xbox One Kinect is designed to accomodate smaller environments than the Xbox 360 Kinect. [1] . The Xbox One Kinect is not going to be required for all games, just the ones that the developers want to use the hardware for. The Xbox One Kinect will also feature 1:1 movement ratio with little to no lag. [2]

Usage of the Kinect is optional. While features like player identification and voice command will of course not function, Kinect is not required to operate the Xbox One or navigate its menus.

Kinect and Privacy Concerns

In response to concerns over privacy with its next-gen console, Microsoft has confirmed that the Xbox One and its all-seeing Kinect sensor can be turned "completely off". Concerns had arisen over the implications for potential breach of privacy with an always-on device that's equipped with an advanced camera and microphone array and a constant connection to the internet. That you can turn on the console with a voice command - therefore suggesting that the Kinect sensor is 'always listening' even when in standby mode - has proven particularly unsettling for some.

Microsoft stresses that "you are in control of what Kinect can see and hear. By design, you will determine how responsive and personalized your Xbox One is to you and your family during setup. The system will navigate you through key privacy options, like automatic or manual sign in, privacy settings, and clear notifications about how data is used. When Xbox One is on and you’re simply having a conversation in your living room, your conversation is not being recorded or uploaded." [3]

Players will also control whether Kinect is on, off or paused. "If you don’t want the Kinect sensor on while playing games or enjoying your entertainment, you can pause Kinect. To turn off your Xbox One, just say 'Xbox Off.' When the system is off, it’s only listening for the single voice command -- 'Xbox On,' and you can even turn that feature off too. Some apps and games may require Kinect functionality to operate, so you’ll need to turn it back on for these experiences."

Your personal data will never be available to anyone outside of your console, Microsoft stressed. "You can play games or enjoy applications that use data, such as videos, photos, facial expressions, heart rate and more, but this data will not leave your Xbox One without your explicit permission."

Biometric Scanning

The Biometric Scanning feature allows anyone in your household to take control of the Xbox One at the sound of their voice. After registering with the Xbox One, users are then recognized when they enter the room. After confirming the voice of the user, the Xbox One will then appropriately switch over to their specific user settings.

Every user will have their own unique pins and layout readily available once they introduce themselves to the Xbox One via Kinect. Let's say your fiancée is not interested in the NFL On Xbox Live but you are. Merely stick it to your Pins and say "hello" to the Xbox One when you walk into the room. You will be able to find it within your Pins without digging through your loved one's personalized menus to find it.

Instant Switch

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One of the pluses to using the Xbox One's Kinect system is that you can instantly switch what you are doing, what you are watching, or what you are reading by a mere voice command. At the sound of "Xbox", the Kinect will recognize that you are speaking to it. You may then make a myriad of commands using your voice, such as "Play Dead Rising 3" or "My Games and Apps" to access those features instantly. You can call off the listening feature by saying "Stop Listening" to cease operations.

Upon saying "Xbox", you will notice a plethora of green text lines that will pop up all over the menu. Anything that appears in green text can be activated with your voice via the Xbox One's Kinect hardware. This includes news or new items that appear on your Xbox One Home page, complete TV listings if you have your cable box running through the Xbox One, browsing your Games library, and more.

Cable Length

The Xbox One Kinect cable is 3 meters long. [4]

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