Netflix adds Kinect support

Making good on the promise of hands-free movie browsing, Microsoft announced today that Netflix has added Kinect support.

Steve Watts

April 14, 2011 8:20 AM

Making good on the promise of hands-free movie browsing, Microsoft announced today that Netflix has added Kinect support. The feature allows gesture- and voice-controls in the Netflix application on Xbox 360. You can flip through the movie listings and say "Xbox play" to start a flick. Though the Kinect teaser video (back when it was known as Natal) technically showed a couple browsing through Zune marketplace movies, Netflix support has been on wish lists since it was shown off at E3 in 2009.

"By integrating Kinect into the Netflix experience on Xbox Live, we're continuing to transform the way people enjoy their favorite entertainment in the living room," said Xbox Live general manager Pete Thompson in the announcement. "Since its launch, Netflix has always been one of the most popular services on Xbox Live, so we are excited to deliver a brand new way to control this experience in a way that can't be found anywhere else."

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April 14, 2011 8:20 AM

Comment on Netflix adds Kinect support, by Steve Watts.
- SporkyReeve
  
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  April 14, 2011 8:22 AM
  
  Summary: Making good on the promise of hands-free movie browsing, Microsoft announced today that Netflix has added Kinect support.
- Zman0404
  
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  April 14, 2011 8:29 AM
  
  Tried it out this morning. I'm disappointed that Kinect support is not available with the entire menu.
  - daggot
    
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    April 14, 2011 9:46 AM
    
    Entire Netflix menu or entire dashboard? I don't have Kinect yet.
    - Iazu
      
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      April 14, 2011 10:37 AM
      
      Aside from basic voice commands ("play"), the only thing it seems to do is bring you to a "netflix kinect hub" that has about 8 suggested movies for you. That's it. You can't use any gesture controls in the main menus or even browse through your queue with it.
      - ChazWinterbottom
        
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        April 14, 2011 11:00 AM
        
        Yeah Microsoft couldn't find its own ass with two hands and a Kinect.
        
        zerog83
        
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        April 14, 2011 12:16 PM
        
        because it's Microsoft's fault that Netflix didn't add the functionality to their program...
        
        Iazu
        
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        April 14, 2011 1:01 PM
        
        I hope they add more functionality later, as what is there is pretty useless right now, unless I'm missing something.
        
        mancide
        
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        April 14, 2011 1:02 PM
        
        I was under the impression MS was writing those dashboard apps which is why they take so long to add functions and features that the other Netlfix apps had long before (i.e. search was on Roku MONTHS before XBOX got it).
        
        mancide
        
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        April 14, 2011 1:03 PM
        
        (And is also why we still don't have a fucking Hulu+ app yet.)
        
        zerog83
        
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        April 14, 2011 1:36 PM
        
        I was not aware of that
- Slowtreme
  
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  April 14, 2011 10:11 AM
  
  My stock media remote is the best accessory I own for my 360.
  - djdisco
    
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    April 15, 2011 8:42 AM
    
    I agree. Love the remote.
- v1ctoly
  
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  April 14, 2011 11:03 AM
  
  mildly amusing to do hand gestures, but quite useless really
- HisDivineOrder
  
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  April 14, 2011 1:27 PM
  
  Can't wait till remote-less control is standard for all CE devices, not just game devices. TV's, Blu-ray players, receivers, HTPC's, and yes game consoles with the ability to respond to voice commands and gestures will be nice.
  
  For the time being, limited support via some Xbox 360 "apps" is meh to me when the PS3 has DD 5.1, a much more attractive feature that I can use all the time.
- djdisco
  
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  April 15, 2011 8:46 AM
  
  The voice control is cool, but not super useful. Maybe in the dark when I can't find the remote.
  
  But, what I did find really useful was the hand gesture for skipping ahead/back. You can slide your hand icon along the progress bar to exactly where you want (it shows the still image) and it seems to be able to do it in 15 sec increments. The kinect picks up pretty fine hand movements as you narrow in on where you want to be. Then just slide your hand down to start playing. Great for skipping past opening credits.