http://www.vg247.com/2010/08/24/microsoft-to-deny-kinect-voice-control-launch-omission

Microsoft has just denied that voice controls have been dropped from Kinect’s launch, despite an MCV story to the contrary.

It looks as though there could be a foreign language element to the story, though: Microsoft refused to comment on the availability of all languages at launch.

“Voice control is an exciting part of the Kinect for Xbox 360 controller-free experience and we can confirm that it will be available at launch in November 2010,” said the firm in a statement.

“Only on Xbox 360 will you be able to navigate the Kinect Hub using your voice to control your movies, TV Shows and music.

“We do not have additional details to share about local voice availability at this time.”

MCV reported earlier today that there would be “no voice control for Kinect launch”.

“Microsoft has confirmed to MCV that Kinect will not boast any voice control functionality at launch,” said the site.

“Speaking at Gamescom, marketing 

manager for Xbox Live EMEA Robin Burrowes stated that “we will be announcing when voice control will be turned on in due course.”

The site then updated its piece to say, “MCV can also confirm that chat software Video Kinect will also not feature as part of the accessory’s launch. Like voice control, that will also arrive at a later date.”

We’ll have Microsoft’s official response soon.

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Is this another case of people at Microsoft not knowing what's going on inside the company then? 

That's going to really disappoint all the haters that were jumping all over this.

Either this is complete mismanagement, or a game of smoke and mirrors.

If the past says anything, I'd go with the latter.

It's already been debunked.  But there certainly have been a lot of smoke and mirrors this gen, esp... in the Sony camp.  Remember when they were talking up the CELL and how this gen wouldn't start till it arrived?  LOL.....  

Of course, I'm just saying in general PR is very dodgy.

Edit: Or for example, Microsoft said Milo and Kate is just a tech demo. Then a day later they say the game is actually in development. All big corporations screw up like this from time to time.

MCV jumped the gun completely on this shit.  Voice control for non-english languages is what will not be available at launch.

I think what we can take as a given from that incident is that Microsoft recently still considered not including voice control at launch already because it still doesn't work as well as it should.

The by far most important german IT magazine had a very good and neutral article about Kinect's current status just a few days ago. They said that at Gamescon Microsoft did not show any voice control features, and when asked about it, Microsoft developers said that voice recognition turned out to be a massive problem and that they cannot say when it will come.

So it seems that the decision to definitely include at least basic voice control already at launch has been made very recently.

Damn.. I wasted a funny video in that other thread...

How can we take this as the case?  Are you a mind reader or fortune teller as well?  I would like to know the winning lotto numbers and who wins the super bowl next year and by what score.....  Tell me and If its right I will be a believer.

The only thing going on here is this, Microsoft may be having problems with foreign languages and a "website got into a hurry trying to be first with some news".

Basic voice recognition is nothing new, but the simple fact that there are so many languages out there it makes it difficult and time consuming to put them all in.  I don't see the news here, once the other languages are finished they will add them, simple as that.  Microsoft could wait until they are finished or go ahead and meet their deadline and also launch before Christmas (where they sell the most units).  

I am fairly certain that any company would do this and if it were Sony they would do the same thing.

They should've just renamed Project Natal to Project Smoke & Mirrors. There has been nothing but lies and big fails surrounding this "amazing, innovative piece of tech"... LOL...