At the Consumer Electronics Show Monday, Samsung showed that it is putting a lot of effort behind its smart TV lineup. Samsung’s next generation of smart TVs will include voice, gesture and facial recognition features that should improve the viewing experience for consumers and enable even smarter applications to emerge.

With its latest Smart TV platform update, Samsung plans to enable “smart interaction,” which will add voice and gesture control, as well as facial recognition to apps developed for its connected TVs. That will enable viewers to turn the TV on and off, open and navigate apps and search for content without picking up a remote control. The system will support between 20 and 30 different languages, using unidirectional array microphones to isolate voice commands and a built-in camera to recognize user movement. The system’s facial recognition software will also be able to differentiate between members of a household, giving them access to personalized profiles, preferences and apps based upon their previous activity.

It’s all very Kinect-like in the way that Samsung describes it, and points to a future where remote controls disappear and consumers interact with their TVs in a potentially more natural fashion. Of course, Microsoft is only one proponent of voice and gesture control that Samsung may have to contend with — rumors of an HDTV set from Apple that is controlled by the company’s Siri voice recognition software shows that others may also soon jump on board.

The big advantage that Samsung will have over Microsoft Kinect is that it’s opening up its APIs to enable developers to take advantage of these features. While Microsoft has increased the number of apps that run on its Xbox Live platform — including those which take advantage of its Kinect capabilities — it still falls well behind Samsung in the variety of applications available. Samsung has about 1,400 TV apps available worldwide, with users expected to download some 20 million apps in January 2012.

That app volume comes in part from an open SDK and APIs that are available to developers. That enables pretty much anyone to develop rich content experiences on its platform and take advantage of features like the ability to sync up companion mobile applications with whatever’s happening on-screen. With the introduction of its smart interactions capabilities, Samsung will enable developers to use gesture and voice control, as well as facial recognition in the next generation of their TV apps.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is still largely taking a walled-garden approach to its Xbox Live and Kinect apps — which could improve the quality of those that make it on the platform, but also limits the ability of third-party developers to reach its customers. Unless that changes sometime soon, Microsoft could find itself falling behind as new Kinect-like capabilities are added to other connected device platforms, like Samsung’s Smart TV or even Apple’s iTV.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• Connected Consumer Q2: Digital music meets the cloud; e-book growth explodes
• The Future of TV Can Bet on “Apps Everywhere”
• Want to watch TV? There’s an app for that

alt=''
border='0'
/>

GigaOM

Microsoft may have launched its companion app for Xbox consoles on Windows Phone 7 devices exclusively, but it isn’t leaving iOS users completely out in the cold. The official My Xbox LIVE universal app, which works on both iPhone and iPad, is in the App Store now.

My Xbox LIVE doesn’t have the console-controlling functions of the Xbox Companion app, but it does offer gamers access to their Xbox LIVE account info, including game achievements, your 3D avatar and friends management and messaging. In fact, if you don’t have a keyboard accessory for your Xbox controller, it makes chatting with friends, managing your friends list and setting Beacons, which alert you to when your friends want to do the same thing as you, much easier.

var galleryData = [{"title":"MyXboxLIVE-iPad1","caption":"","thumbnail":"http:\/\/gigaom2.files.wordpress.com\/2011\/12\/myxboxlive-ipad1.jpg?w=48&h=48&crop=1"}, {"title":"MyXboxLIVE-iPad2","caption":"","thumbnail":"http:\/\/gigaom2.files.wordpress.com\/2011\/12\/myxboxlive-ipad2.jpg?w=48&h=48&crop=1"}, {"title":"MyXboxLIVE6","caption":"","thumbnail":"http:\/\/gigaom2.files.wordpress.com\/2011\/12\/myxboxlive6.jpg?w=48&h=48&crop=1"}, {"title":"MyXboxLIVE5","caption":"","thumbnail":"http:\/\/gigaom2.files.wordpress.com\/2011\/12\/myxboxlive5.jpg?w=48&h=48&crop=1"}, {"title":"MyXboxLIVE4","caption":"","thumbnail":"http:\/\/gigaom2.files.wordpress.com\/2011\/12\/myxboxlive4.jpg?w=48&h=48&crop=1"}, {"title":"MyXboxLIVE3","caption":"","thumbnail":"http:\/\/gigaom2.files.wordpress.com\/2011\/12\/myxboxlive3.jpg?w=48&h=48&crop=1"}, {"title":"MyXboxLIVE2","caption":"","thumbnail":"http:\/\/gigaom2.files.wordpress.com\/2011\/12\/myxboxlive2.jpg?w=48&h=48&crop=1"}, {"title":"MyXboxLIVE1","caption":"","thumbnail":"http:\/\/gigaom2.files.wordpress.com\/2011\/12\/myxboxlive1.jpg?w=48&h=48&crop=1"}];
 

It’s actually a very handy little app, and it does a good imitation of Windows Phone 7 for people who haven’t experienced that platform’s interface yet. Sounds are taken straight from the Xbox itself, and despite a little lag when switching between some screens as the info is retrieved from Microsoft’s servers, it’s a pretty fun way to navigate content that’s kind of a chore to view on your console.

The app also includes a “Spotlight” section that presents you with video trailers and featurettes normally available through the console. It’s free, so if you’re an Xbox LIVE user, there’s no reason not to check it out.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• Connected world: the consumer technology revolution
• Forecast: Tablet App Sales To Hit B by 2015
• Forecast: the evolution of the e-book market

alt=''
border='0'
/>

GigaOM

Games for Windows Marketplace will no longer have to drift through life alone. Microsoft announced this week that the Steam competitor will be absorbed by Xbox.com — a seemingly logical merger, given the site’s association with Xbox Live. The move comes in spite of an attempt on Microsoft’s part to completely revamp the service late last year. The Marketplace is set to move into its new digs on July 11th, so here’s hoping it takes advantage of its last few days of freedom in style — by sitting around in its underwear playing video games, naturally.

Games for Windows Marketplace, Xbox.com becoming one big, game-obsessed family originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jul 2011 18:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Joystiq  |  Games for Windows  | Email this | Comments
Engadget

Quick refreshing of Microsoft’s E3 landing page has apparently revealed some of the things it will be announcing within the hour at its E3 press conference, including new features for Xbox Live like Voice Search and new look for the service. With the explosive popularity of the Kinect add-on, it looks like the system is being refashioned with support built in from the ground up as opposed to the current menu system that’s more of an afterthought. Also mentioned on the page are Dance Central 2, Kinect Sports Season 2 and most importantly, two new Halo games. One is Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary which appears to be the remake leaked by Joystiq previously, and of course, Halo 4. The press conference is scheduled to kick off at 11:30 a.m. Eastern and of course we’ll be covering all of the news live right here.

[Thanks, q & Pradeep]

Xbox.com leaks E3 secrets early: Voice Search, ‘new look’ for XBL, Halo 4, and Halo: CE remake originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Xbox.com E3 2011 coverage  | Email this | Comments
Engadget

For those who have lately purchased an Xbox 360 pro system but they’re unsure how you can lengthen your Xbox live subscription or what an Xbox 360 console live card then I am here that will help you figure all this out. The Xbox 360 console live card is basically how you extend your initial one month subscription to Xbox live. There isn’t any silver Xbox 360 console live card as the silver service is free for that life of you owning the Xbox 360 console.

Choices for An Xbox 360 console Live Card And What You Get With It

There are many distinct Xbox 360 console live cards you can buy and each has a different price and term for which you get the gold service. First off the pricing is different depending on what country you’re in. The subscription option is the same however. The three alternatives you’ve for term are 30 days, 3 months and Twelve months. In the united states you can purchase cards for $7.99, $19.99, and $49.99 respectively. Pricing in the uk is 4.99 pounds, 14.99 pounds, and 39.99 pounds. If you’re in Canada your price is $8.99, $29.99, and $59.99. Singapore is 13.90 SGD, 34.90 SGD, and 79.90 SGD. Sweden is 79 Swedish Crowns, 199 SEK, and 599 SEK. You can get them in Europe for 6.99 Euros, 19.99 Euros, and 59.99 Euros. Australia is perhaps the cheapest of all at 10.95 Australian Dollars, $29.95 and $79.95. The price in New Zealand is equivalent to in Australia other than in New Zealand dollars. Japan is 819 Yen, 2079 Yen, and 5229 Yen. When you bust out the pricing their is some difference between the various countries.

For this money you receive limitless use of online games in addition to downloading and new improvements for the titles you own. You may also access the Xbox 360 console live arcade to get all of the latest and greatest games. You also can use all Microsoft’s on the net chat and conversation tools including voice and video chat. You obtain a 100 person friends list in addition to a list of the final 50 people you competed against making finding games making use of your Xbox 360 console live card very simple. In addition to that particular you will be able to be automatically placed in games depending on your current results. Teams and players will be matched up against each in line with the over-all ranking from the players. Microsoft monitors all this information for you personally.

The Xbox 360 system is certainly one of the most well-liked video game systems on the market these days, and it is the 2nd system game console provided by Microsoft and definitely their most well-liked.

The Details

The Xbox 360 originated in cooperation with IBM, ATI, and SiS. The integrated Xbox Live service permits game enthusiasts to compete online and download data for example arcade video games, game demos, trailers and more.

You will find a couple of different configurations of the Xbox 360 , including the Xbox 360 pro system and the Xbox 360 Core that was an entry level Xbox 360 which was later changed to the Arcade. Then there is also the Premium or Xbox 360 pro which includes all of the features of the Core and includes a hybrid composite and component cable with optional optical cut instead of an amalgamated cable.

Video Games

One of the best reasons for having this gaming console may be the multitude of great games which are available because of it. You will find many different video games that you are able to select from, and this includes Absolute: Blazing Infinity, America’s Army: True Soldiers, Amped 3, APB, Armored Core 4, Beyond Good & Evil 2, Big Bumpin’, Bionic Commando, Bionicle Heroes, BioShock, and Beijing 2008, just for example.

The the main thing is that the Xbox 360 is certainly one of one of the most well-liked and pleasurable video game consoles on the market these days, and so should you are interested in obtaining a video game for yourself, the Xbox 360 is one that you ought to definitely think about.

You are able to choose the video game with the Xbox Company and the countless merchants on the market that provide the Microsoft products. The prices are constantly dropping on video game consoles, so make certain you keep looking should you need to get the cheapest price possible.

This is a super easy game to play and one that’s widely available, so wherever you want to look for it, it should be in stock. Just ensure that you look into the facts should you decide to go to purchase the game used, because should you are purchasing it second-hand you can never truly be sure of the condition it can be in.

Buying used doesn’t have to be a bad idea, nevertheless, you want to ensure that you are aware of the return or refund policy.