Xbox One dashboard video highlights biometric abilities of new console (video)

8 Nov 2013

With less than a fortnight until Microsoft releases its next-generation console Xbox One, a 12-minute video has emerged that provides a tantalising glimpse into how the new dashboard works.

The video, featuring Xbox chief marketing officer Yusuf Mehdi and Xbox corporate VP Marc Whitten, shows the two executives cycling through the various capabilities of the new console, how Kinect is integral to the experience, how the Xbox integrates with the TV-viewing experience and exciting Skype and instant gameplay functionality.

The video shows how the Xbox dashboard allows users to personalise their TV in terms of their recent online activity and games they were playing.

The dashboard features a customisation area that shows the last game played, and a selection of activities known as ‘pins’, where users can customise content around the live TV screen.

Biometrics enters the TV world

 

The Kinect camera comes with biometric capabilities that recognise the voice of each individual in the household, as well as their body shape because it reads their skeletal frame.

For example, if someone is trying to reach you by Skype, if the Kinect detects you are in the room it will send the call straight to the TV.

Voice recognition is of paramount importance to the new Xbox One. Users can flick straight to their own profile by simply saying, ‘Xbox, show my stuff’ and all their content, activities and apps are instantly loaded.

They also showed the instant play capability, whereby as easy as flicking a channel on a TV you can go straight into where you left off on a game.

Gamers could be watching TV live when an invitation from a friend to play online will pop up on the screen.

If someone is trying to reach you by Skype, users can just say, ‘Xbox, answer’ and the call connects.

The Kinect camera stays with each person on the call so as they move around the room the camera follows them.

All in all, it looks like Microsoft has pulled off an amazing feat of technology that puts the TV at the heart of the action.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com