Xbox One (Article) Hands-on with the Xbox One: Kinect, interface, and OS impressions

[Landshark]

More positive articles are always good.

This one is a hands-on review from Ars Technica. The article also talks about auto-logging in and recognizing the user and a bunch more. One of the things that they really loved was the Kinect auto identification. They said that it recognized each user almost instantly by the skeletal profile that the Kinect builds and stores when you set up your initial profile. Also, the Kinect only messed up on a command twice throughout the entire time that everyone was using it during the demo. They also mention some of the voice commands, one in particular that I was looking forward to, "Xbox, Volume Up" which adjusts the volume by 3 decibels (or "Xbox, Volume Down"). It'll be nice controlling my entire entertainment setup with just my voice.

This is just a snip of the whole article. Click the 'source' link below the quote for the whole thing.

The most notable thing about my hour-or-so hands-on demo was how little I actually used a handheld controller. Practically every feature described in this piece was activated by saying "Xbox" followed by a simple command. Yes, a similar feature is already available to anyone with a current-generation Kinect hooked up to their Xbox 360, but it's clear that voice controls are much more fully integrated into the Xbox One interface.

The idea of never having to use a controller to search through menus and sub-screens to find my apps and games seemed pretty appealing after just a few minutes of talking my way through a variety of Xbox One functions. There is a slight, noticeable voice recognition pause of roughly half a second after saying each command, but it didn't seem to get in the way much during the demo (and it seemed shorter than the similar pause on the Xbox 360, in any case).

And some info about privacy options:

PRIVACY OPTIONS
The idea of the Kinect constantly tracking your position around the room and identifying you based on your biometrics and vocal commands may be creepy to some, but the system allows users to set a number of privacy controls. You can turn off the biometric ID system completely if you don't plan on using it, but you can also have the system require a password entry even after it recognizes you. Additionally, the Kinect can be set to totally ignore voice and/or gestural commands. If you're really paranoid, it can be completely unplugged from the system and put away without affecting functionality.

Source: Ars Technica

 

[Jedioutcast]

In regards to security and privacy issues, simply put a Kinect sleeve over the camera and you're golden. No worries!

J

 

[rkkeller]

OK, now the million dollar question>>>>>>


If your doing something SUPER illegal, like drug smuggling, child porn, making a bomb, killing someone.... would you feel comfortable doing
it in front of the kinect with no worries of anyone finding out?????

 

[Jedioutcast]

Probably not, but then you shouldn't be doing that stuff anyway... lol!

J

 

[Karemat]

If your doing something SUPER illegal, like drug smuggling, child porn, making a bomb, killing someone.... would you feel comfortable doing
it in front of the kinect with no worries of anyone finding out?????

I guess if you were to do those things, you could be clever enough to just unplug the machine. Easy and simple. lol.
As for the threads topic, the technology leap is quit outstanding. Browse with voice, face recognition, position tracking.
Seems even too good.

 

[pro100gamer]

I guess if you were to do those things, you could be clever enough to just unplug the machine. Easy and simple. lol.
As for the threads topic, the technology leap is quit outstanding. Browse with voice, face recognition, position tracking.
Seems even too good.

So you're saying there aren't any settings that can disable the tracking and constant monitoring? That is disturbing. Not that i am obsessed with the "espionage", but still the thought of a machine constantly shooting sensors at me the whole day gives me light shiver.

 

[jocker13]

auto-logging in and recognizing the user and a bunch more

Those are the things I am really looking forward to.
Having read so many things about X1, and browsed a good amount of forums, i now 100% on buying this baby.
The privacy is not really that important, as long as keep it on and switch it off

 

[grapefruit99]

According to the videos i watched, the voice manipulation, the Kinect and everything else works like clockwork.
The privacy is a deal, sure. But, really, everyone was asking for the motion control and sensors searching the room, and now suddenly its an "issue"
People just do not know what they want and can't appreciate the technology in front of them

 

[Gringo]

So you're saying there aren't any settings that can disable the tracking and constant monitoring? That is disturbing. Not that i am obsessed with the "espionage", but still the thought of a machine constantly shooting sensors at me the whole day gives me light shiver.

According to other posts there are menu settings to disable the Kinect.

 

[KN1GHTMARE]

So you're saying there aren't any settings that can disable the tracking and constant monitoring? That is disturbing. Not that i am obsessed with the "espionage", but still the thought of a machine constantly shooting sensors at me the whole day gives me light shiver.

The settings menu allows you to turn it off completely. No to mention you can always unplug it.