Help Improve Kinect Technology and Walk Away With Freebies

Hey guys!  Here is your chance to contribute and get some free Avatar gear and achievements while you're at it. Microsoft released an app called Voice Studio on XBLA.  Basically, it's a voice calibration tool that will have you saying lines of dialogue from the different places you will use Kinect such as where you sit while watching movies or where you stand while playing Kinect.  This will help devs improve the Kinect's voice recognition technology and improve the entire experience as your TV is creating noise wile playing or watching movies.  The best part is the rewards!  Not only are you improving the experience but you get freebies!  Here's what you can earn:

Avatar awards include a tin can phone, vinyl record glasses, a VU meter shirt (m/f) and a giant speaker

You also can earn four achievements for 50GS by completing all eight tracks:

1. 

   Golden Voice

   Sucessfully completed all eight tracks in Voice Studio

   20 UNLOCKED ON 4/3/2012
2. 

   Fast Talker

   Successfully completed the sixth track in Voice Studio

   10 UNLOCKED ON 4/3/2012
3. 

   Massive Mumbler

   Successfully completed the fourth track in Voice Studio

   10 UNLOCKED ON 4/3/2012
4. 

   Baby Babbler

   Successfully completed the second track in Voice Studio

   10 UNLOCKED ON 3/31/2012

Cool Tidbits From the Kinect Revolution

If you own a Kinect, then you know that it's far  more than just a kid's gaming gimmick.  While most games for it are child-centric, the device offers many functionalities that take it well beyond gaming hardware.  I feel cheated when I can't tell my living room TV to pause a video, or change the channel.  Once you get used to controlling an entire echo system with your voice, it feels as if you are living in the future and it's hard to go back to using your hands.  Here are some really cool Kinect stories I've seen floating around the web that show some of the future possibilities powered by Kinect:

The Holodeck is closer to being a reality than ever imagined.  Engandget has been reporting some really cool holagraphic technologies.  How about controlling your Android smartphone on a projection on the wall?  Or creating full 3D renderings with your Windows Phone?  Or even a complete virtual theme park in Korea?  All these things are real and could be closer to becoming available to the masses than you may think.

Check out programming4fun's cool video:

Or this video posted by DDRBoxman controlling an Android phone via Kinect and a projector:


How about integrating your Windows Phone with playing Kinect games on the 360:


Click the image below for the Engadget article about the Korean Kinect theme park:

Microsoft Uses a Jedi Mind Trick on the Xbox360 Kinect Bundle

by Jose Martinez

Xbox 360 Star Wars Kinect Bundle | Release Date Holiday 2011

OMG!  Just when I thought I was going to pick up the Gears of War bundle, Microsoft uses a Jedi Mind Trick and makes me fall in love with a limited edition Star Wars bundle!  According to Engadget, Microsoft announced today at the San Diego Comic-Con that they will be releasing this bundle soon.  The game releases holiday of this year, so one can expect the console to launch side by side, although Amazon has a release date of December 31st.  This epic bundle includes the R2D2 themed Xbox 360S with a 320GB Hard Drive, C3PO themed wireless controller, white Kinect, Kinect Adventures and Kinect Star Wars.  As par for the course, the console will also have themed sound effects.  The pricing is going to be $449 and is available for pre-order today.  

These ARE the droids you're looking for.

Preorder your limited edition bundle here: