This week’s New Xbox One Experience update will remove the option to navigate the dashboard using Kinect-based gestures. This feature has been present since the first day this console launched, allowing Kinect owners to operate the dashboard by using their hands, physically swiping through menus and selecting options by raising their hand. The usage of this feature was very low so there really isn’t a point to keeping it anymore.
Mike Ybarra said: “With gestures, the reality was the usage was very, very low. So for now, we’ve cut that from the New Xbox One Experience. So when we launch on the 12th, they won’t be in the product. We’ll continue to monitor and listen to feedback to see if people want them in.” Kinect initially came bundled with all Xbox One consoles, but was removed from the box in May 2014 to provide “more choices for fans”.
