MS confirms voice control for Kinect

UPDATE: Microsoft has confirmed that Kinect WILL launch with voice control.

In a statement given to Eurogamer Microsoft said: "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.

"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."

The confusion appears to revolve around the use of non-English languages with Kinect.

ORIGINAL STORY: When Microsoft's motion-sensing add-on Kinect launches this November it will not allow gamers to interact with their Xboxes using their voices as promised.

Voice chat software Video Kinect, premiered during Microsoft's E3 2010 press conference in June, also misses the cut, MCV reports.

Instead the feature will be integrated after Kinect's released.

Marketing manager for Xbox Live EMEA Robin Burrowes said: "We will be announcing when voice control will be turned on in due course."

The move is likely to disappoint many who have pre-ordered the £130 Xbox 360 motion sensor.

We were looking forward to telling our Xboxes to turn off and on and play movies, as Microsoft demonstrated at E3 2010 in June, when Kinect launches in the UK on 10th November.

Last week Microsoft's vice president of interactive entertainment Chris Lewis told Eurogamer core gamers will "love that they can jump into a game like Joy Ride, which should really appeal to the hardcore community".

Well, at least there's Kinectimals.