I figured out why the 720 requires Kinect to work

[Netyaroze]

thranx said:

with the current kinect it doesnt matter if the camera is blocked for the voice controls to work. They also still let you use a controler for navigation. The reason kinect is probably required to be on is more likely that it is connected to the same power line and possibly controls turning it on and off.

 

Ok that makes sense. Hopefully thats the case.