The new Xbox One Kinect will be able to scan in QR codes to download games, rather than having users enter in the long alphanumeric code.
Microsoft confirmed the new Xbox One Kinect functionality on Twitter through a tweet posted by Head of Xbox Live, Marc Whitten.
Linking to a Reddit image asking Microsoft to include QR code scanning capabilities with the new Kinect, Whitten tweeted that the Xbox One peripheral would support such a feature.
“To my reddit friends – yup – this works!” Whitten tweeted late last night.
This may be part of Microsoft’s way to keep part of its original DRM policy in place, after it made a complete 180 degree turn on its Xbox One DRM policy.
However, it will make the game authentication process easier than entering a 25-digit alphanumeric code, surely a bonus for gamers.
Xbox One Kinect Features
The re-engineered Kinect will be bundled with the Xbox One come launch as part of that £429 Xbox One price tag. That’s due to the fact the Kinect must always be connected to the Xbox One for Microsoft’s next-gen console to function.
“It’s more precise. More responsive. More intuitive. Its unparalleled voice, vision and motion technology lets you reach into games and entertainment like never before. Automatically sign in when you enter the room. Accelerate through a game with subtle gestures. Or navigate through your favourite TV shows with the sound of your voice,” explains Microsoft.
It packs a new full 1080p HD IR camera that means it can see gamers in the dark, increases its precision and with new 3D geometry technology it’ll know when the user is off balance.
Gamers can now use it sitting down more effectively, as it is able to utilise Kinect Real Motion technology to track even a hand squeeze as a unique gesture.
The Xbox One release date has been set for sometime in November this year.
Next, read all about the Xbox One DRM Policy Reversal – the good, the bad and what it means for gamers.