As part of their Fall 360 update, Microsoft is planning to bring a number of new voice features to the Xbox. Features included are voice commands such as "Xbox Music" that will enable a Kinect user to search, through the use of Bing on 360, through a library of over 11 million songs. The increased focus on voice commands is part of Microsoft's efforts to grow the "non-gaming" side of the Xbox 360.
Microsoft's CEO, Steve Ballmer, had this to say about the company's efforts to expand the entertainment services provided by the Xbox 360.
"A game controller is a little too complicated for the average user," he said. "Even a remote control is a little too complicated for the average family. What we want to do is work on giving the TV a new voice. And that's your voice."
Ballmer went on to talk about the company's plans for Windows Phone 7 devices.
"In a year we've gone from very small to very small. But it's been a heck of year and you are going to see lots of programs in that market as we move forward. Nokia and people in the phone business believe in us."
Ballmer also expressed disappointment in the slow uptake of Bing among Microsoft's partners. "Bing is the Microsoft product and service our partners expend the least amount of time with right now," he said.
Bing has only 14.1 percent market share in the US, but Ballmer believes this will change through evolution of the technology and integration with services like Xbox Live.
"We are thinking about the dynamics and architecture that will let us open Bing up over the next few years to become more of a platform."
Ballmer was more enthusiastic on Microsoft's commitment to the cloud. He acknowledged that the previous year's conference had been "scary" for those partners with businesses based on selling products like Office and Windows, but the message remains the same.
"It was scary because I said we are all in on the cloud and we want partners to come with us. It is where things are going and we need you to decide whether you are going with us," he said.
"You are going to have to continue to remap and retrain yourselves."
Ballmer also expressed disappointment in the slow uptake of Bing among Microsoft's partners. "Bing is the Microsoft product and service our partners expend the least amount of time with right now," he said.
Bing has only 14.1 percent market share in the US, but Ballmer believes this will change through evolution of the technology and integration with services like Xbox Live.
"We are thinking about the dynamics and architecture that will let us open Bing up over the next few years to become more of a platform."
Ballmer was more enthusiastic on Microsoft's commitment to the cloud. He acknowledged that the previous year's conference had been "scary" for those partners with businesses based on selling products like Office and Windows, but the message remains the same.
"It was scary because I said we are all in on the cloud and we want partners to come with us. It is where things are going and we need you to decide whether you are going with us," he said.
"You are going to have to continue to remap and retrain yourselves."
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