I'm seeing so much stupidity these days that I just don't understand where this is going! Is the apocalypse true? Because people is becoming so retarded that I'm believing it is!
Kinect exercise tracker inbound - Report
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
Microsoft reportedly readying Xbox 360 dashboard update that adds cross-application exercise tracking system; heart-rate monitor accessory planned.
How many calories does one burn while petting cheetah cubs in Kinectimals? A new Kinect exercise tracker may allow gamers to find out, according to sources speaking to The Verge.
The site sources unspecified tipsters who say Microsoft is planning to update the Xbox 360 dashboard to include a cross-application exercise tracking system. Titled Kinect Play Fit, the service will allow users to track their exercises through "most" Kinect titles, with the data stored in the cloud.
A physical peripheral dubbed Joule will be released alongside Kinect Play Fit, according to the site, and will track heart-rate levels, allowing users to analyze their progress. The Joule will be compatible with "most" Kinect titles, but it won't be a requirement for Kinect Play Fit.
A Microsoft representative told GameSpot, "Microsoft does not comment on rumors or speculation."
Kinect gamers already have exercise tracking options available to them. Electronic Arts' EA Sports Active 2 comes with a heart-rate monitor, and Dance Central 2 includes a Workout mode, where players can track the number of calories burned while cutting up the rug.
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.
72 comments
Now that i have a daughter i have an excuse to buy a kinect and wave my hands around like a fool while not looking like a fool as i will be playing with her,but she only a month old so it will be 3-5 years before she can kinect so am get hopefully a better kinect 2 with better and more games :)
I can't believe that in an age of so much technology that the three console manufacturers have resorted to ripping off each other's ideas. I'm not a huge Nintendo fan and don't own a Wii, but come up with some original ideas Sony/Microsoft.
The race is on to see who will release their "vitality sensor" first - Microsoft or Nintendo. The world waits in anticipation.
@Haasdude Nintendo is going all out with the Wii U this year, I don't think they would ever going back to finishing that crap of a technology like the Vitality Sensor.
1 Like Microsoft if only you put this much effort into making new games for your console, and I mean Microsoft studios games not third party.
2 Like I'm to fat and lazy to even go online and order a kinect, let alone download an update to track my non-existant exercise routine.
4 Like I think this is a good idea. I'm a little stunned at the fact that so many people have trouble with the fact that, at this stage of the 360's life, it needs to diversify its audience beyond the core market. Certainly, Microsoft themselves even noted that most people are now using the 360 for gaming less than half the time its in use! Know what? I'm fine with that. My 360 was bought for me to enjoy, first and foremost. So I play games, stream video, and even use it for exercise. And, honestly, all those activities are bringing in money for Microsoft, be it through game/accessory sales or Live subscriptions.
A console simply cannot match the success of the PS1 and PS2 if it doesn't attract non-core buyers. Especially towards the end of its lifecycle, when the core market is preparing to move on to the next generation!
No Microsoft! Go back to the next-gen Xbox, not make a pacer, which itself can do that for potentially much less.
@Ziberg thats your opinion and not a very good one. Kinnect is still very new technology and at some point may turn out to be very amazing
1 Like @BillyColeman and that's your opinion. As a kinect owner Microsoft has not proven that kinect is the future. From a business perspective is a success. From a technological perspective is a failure. The Technology is not there yet for it to be the future of gaming. It sucks so bad it makes games that could have potential suck. Look up Star wars kinect.
I understand where people are coming from, but I don't consider the Kinect technology to be a failure. Most developers would just rather crap out a poorly designed Kinect game in an effort to make a quick buck. Believe it or not, there are games that work properly with Kinect.
1 Like @ExplicitMike @BillyColeman and that's both of your opinions. My opinion is that ExplicitMike's opinion is a better opinion. Kinect may be looked at as the very beginning of motion controls, but as of now it is a very poor, low quality piece of hardware.
1 Like As far as gaming with kinect, ive only used it when i have a party and friends over. As a control(ler-less) method for the dashboard? its awesome and have used it lots. I recently got the "your shape fitness evolved" and had some fun punching/kicking blox. I have a spinal injury, and as such have trouble exercising/stretching. So far the yoga/thai-chi programs have helped me a lot. I would be there are MANY out there that can benefit from things like this.
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I know its not for gaming, but seriously, whats with all the hate? b*****ing that this doesnt have to do with gaming is like me raging at PC users that twitter and facebook make the pc pointless. I have NO PROBLEM with the xbox 360 being more that just for typical games, and judging by sales, there are many that agree. I just wish people could be less hate filled over these things.
@dRuGGeRnaUt The hate comes from the fact that MS is focused on this nonsense it takes away from the time and resources that could be put on traditional gaming. Every time some casual game game or gimmick becomes a success companies like MS become incredibly lazy. Look at Nintendo's final Wii years. They have a couple of games coming out (that people had to beg and petition) and then they have nothing but shovel ware.
A big part of the hate also comes from the fact that someone will always think that what you like is dumb, and wants to shout that fact to everyone in the world. Prime examples: anything that makes teenage girls go crazy (there's a lot of teenage misfit males in the gamer demographic, and they are loud), or anything generally popular, particularly if mum and dad like it (Facebook or pick up and play games might fit this category)
Exclusivity is cool - unless I'm not in it, in which case it sucks, and everyone in that group sucks. Exclusivity also becomes less cool as more people join the clique - remember when Facebook was a cool American university network, and not a potential $100B IPO float during an economically weak point in history? Now 'not being on Facebook' is arguably cool, especially if you can pair that to being a member of a ten person social network which constantly bashes it.
It certainly doesn't help when those small groups fortify each other's thoughts, sometimes to the detriment of social behaviour (I seem to remember someone thinking it was cool to steal the source code of a game at a convention, talking in memes, and then trying to bring down his friends when he realised it was a terrible idea.
Guess MS trying to make their own Wii fit. Just shows Kinect lacks games cause they wanna make garbage like this.
2 Like Fitness games? No, thank you. We need GOOD Kinect games, otherwise it will sink faster than you can spell "fitness".
Its a good gig for the xbox to have an exercising option like the Wii system. I think it won't be as strong as the wii when it comes to burning calories with the Wii being made for playing while moving parts of the body.
All these fitness games are optional. I do not see it ever taking over regular games, they are just options. Just because they realize a new fitness games doesn't mean we have to throw a fit over it. If you do not care for it, then skip over it. They have every right to make these kind of games.
1 Like @Flint247 We do skip it but E3 last year proved that MS doesn't care about us traditional gamers. It was nothing but kinect this kinect that and apps that have nothing to do with gaming. Oh and Halo 4 trailer at the end just to remind people that it is a gaming console.
@Flint247 I'm interested to own one though, well xbox is atleast showing their strength to get into our health status.
Don't really understand why a game system needs an exercise tracker. Do people really need a video game console with exercise apps/games to keep them in shape? There are these places called "outside" and "the gym". I don't want to sound like an ass, but using a video game console to exercise is just ridiculously stupid to me.
Hope it tracks how many calories I burn when I sit on my couch eating a bowl of ice cream while waving my hand to load up a movie.
2 Like yeah b*tch!!my dreams of a heart beat monitor have come true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6 Like Kinect was a good take on immersive videogames... I bought it hoping more games like rise of nightmares but i'm really starting to regret it. M$ never wanted to innovate gaming, they just wanted the Wii casual type consumers changing to 360...
I was a fool to think otherwise.
@Raxyman Everyone knew they were trying to cash in the casual market just like Sony. Why did you think it was something different?
2 Like Alright! Just the thing that makes Kinect suck even more. Just what everyone has been clamoring for -- an exercise tracker!
We don't need a damn tracker, we need better Kinect games, and mainstream games using its voice functions for more gameplay options in other games.
@stomponyahead Agreed, the voice commands for Skyrim are really the only reason I've considered buying a Kinect. Then I think to myself..."Self, $100 to issue voice commands in Skyrim? errrrr...pass". So, yeah, while the voice command thing is a nice extra, they really need better games for Kinect. As it stands right now, the game offerings are uber lame.
Just wanted to say that the headline sounds like an Xbox is targeting inbound trackers.....whatever those are.
3 Like Wow, kinect really seems awesome nowadays...you mean I can pay out the a$$ for a gimmick then get a heart rate monitor? That's almost like if I just got a heart rate monitor that wasn't dependant on the kinect...oh I don't know...one I could wear around without needing to be home in front of a TV....god, I wish they made those. Too bad I already own something like that....for several years...
4 Like My Kinect is nothing more than just a dusty paperweight. About twice a month, it's just a paperweight.
6 Like Because who cares about games anymore, amirite Microsoft?
Oh wait, they can't hear me over the sounds of them jacking it to old Nintendo ideas... ho hum...
6 Like if i really needed a workout i would rather spend my money on a personal trainer than a gaming console...
4 Like Nope, I'll sit my fat @ss on my sofa, grab some Dew, and let my thumbs to the rest. I don't mind Kinect and I know they're trying to cater to everybody, but I'll leave my Kinect for the party titles like Kinect Sports, or Kinect Adventures. Wake me when they actually have a good, responsive adventure game.
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