Kinect support for Netflix is arriving today, Microsoft just announced. The update will allow the motion-controlled gaming system add-on to control Netflix content on the Microsoft Xbox 360. According to Larry Hryb, also known as “Major Nelson” among Xbox fans, with the updated software installed, you’ll be able to control the Netflix interface with just a wave of your hand or the sound of your voice.
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The next time Xbox 360 users start up their gaming consoles, they’ll be prompted to accept the update, which will arrive as all Xbox 360 updates do, via the Internet.
After installation, you’ll be able select TV shows and movies recommended by Netflix, and play, pause, fast forward or rewind videos using the sound of your voice or gestures. Also new will be an exclusive recommendations channel where a smart engine suggests movies or TV shows, based on viewing habits and what’s in your Netflix Instant queue. This channel will be entirely controller-free.
Netflix is available to Xbox LIVE Gold members, who are also Netflix members in the U.S. and Canada. There are currently 20 million Netflix customers in these markets, and 30 million active members on Xbox LIVE.
You can see an early demo (well, virtual demo) of this integration in this video from CES 2011 in January.
ReadWriteWeb’s editor Richard MacManus recently took a deeper look at the Kinect platform, and how it’s the future of Windows, as well as its broader impact on the way we use technology. You can read more about that here.
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