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Could Avatar Kinect Save Us From The Videophone?

Could Avatar Kinect Save Us From The Videophone?

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When I was a kid, fictional portrayals of the future always included videophones. Characters like George Jetson would constantly be conducting important business or chatting with their loved ones via this futuristic technology. But now that videophones have finally arrived, the technology is decidedly more disturbing.

For instance: the last time I answered a videophone call, I was forced to see a friend of mine shirtless and sitting on the toilet. Videophones are the worst technology in history.

But today Microsoft launched a technology that could save us from the videophone: Avatar Kinect.



Avatar Kinect is a chat service that utilizes the Kinect to track facial expressions in real time and maps those expressions onto an Xbox LIVE avatar. This means that you’ll be able to see the expression on your friend’s face without having to see his actual face. Users will be able to chat with up to seven friends. Hopefully none of those friends will be chatting from the toilet.

Avatar Kinect is currently free for all Xbox LIVE users, but will be reserved for Gold subscribers after September 8th.

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