ExtremeTech picked up a rumor that Microsoft's next-generation Xbox console will have natural voice recognition in a similar way to Apple's Siri. Anonymous sources claim the next Xbox will support speech-to-text, natural language recognition, and wake on voice tasks.
While the Xbox 360 currently has some voice recognition through the Kinect, it’s limited in usefulness by how restrictive the actual voice controls are currently implemented.
After the rise of motion controls in the last generation, it’s clear that the consoles aren’t just going to compete on performance anymore. Both Nintendo and Sony have bet on touch screens to different extents, so moving the SmartGlass technology forward isn’t going to be enough of a distinguishing feature for the next generation Microsoft hardware. While the Xbox 360 is currently the king of consoles in the US, it’s not doing nearly as well in the rest of the world. It’s going to need a hook of some sort, and this voice functionality just might be a big part of what Microsoft has up its sleeves.
