Microsoft has announced an Xbox 360 update that adds Netflix support to the Kinect experience. The update brings together Kinect voice control and motion sensing with the Netflix streaming interface, letting users navigate menus and control playback with spoken commands or gestures. The goal is to simplify how people browse and start watching content on their living room setup.
With the update, searching for titles can be done by voice, and recommendations from Netflix can be explored with a wave of the hand. Users can select shows and movies, pause, play, fast forward, and rewind using gesture or voice commands. The Netflix library appears within the Xbox 360 interface, creating a unified entertainment experience across devices.
People often juggle a remote between rooms, and the new feature aims to reduce that friction. The hands free control makes movie nights easier, especially when guests are involved or when the remote is out of reach. The update aims to deliver quicker access to favorites and new releases, all within the Netflix app on Xbox 360.
Region wise, the update is designed for Netflix subscribers in the United States and Canada who use Xbox 360 with Kinect. The feature promise remains to keep the Netflix experience simple and familiar while adding the comfort of voice and motion interaction.
When the Netflix app is opened after the update, a prompt appears inviting users to upgrade to the enhanced experience. The upgrade gives access to voice navigation and gesture control across menus and playback controls.
This move mirrors a broader push in living room hardware and apps to blend voice and gesture inputs with streaming services. It highlights how game consoles can serve as centers for on demand video as well as gaming.
Netflix on Xbox 360 with Kinect continues to expand the reach of streaming content by enabling quicker discovery and easier operation for viewers. The hands free approach reduces steps and makes it faster to switch between watching and browsing.
Owners will notice a smoother sign in and a more intuitive path from Netflix to watching. The experience uses existing Kinect features to read voice, track movement, and respond to simple gestures for navigation and playback.
Overall the integration strengthens the link between streaming services and gaming consoles, delivering a practical upgrade for households in the United States and Canada who rely on Netflix for entertainment. This update marks progress toward more natural control of media from the couch. Citation: Microsoft official documentation.