Microsoft Handing Out Kinect Beta Invites?
Microsoft may be distributing Kinect beta invitations via its Microsoft Connect channel.
Microsoft may soon kick off an "Xbox Live and Kinect Beta Program" if email-based invites are genuine. Apparently the beta invite is currently being distributed through the Microsoft Connect channel, the company's service for gathering customer feedback on its products. Little is known about the beta at this point save for limited availability.
"As a former active member of our Xbox LIVE preview programs, we're pleased to present you with the opportunity to participate in the Xbox LIVE and Kinect Beta Program," the email reads. "This program is being offered to a limited audience and we look forward to your participation. Please note completing the application will not guarantee you access to the program. Space is limited, so please signup early."
The invite also noted that an "audio change" in the Kinect software will not allow participants to use party or individual chat with anyone outside the beta program. It's speculated that users will be testing the new Kinect dashboard--showcased at E3 2010 back in June--that features a new video chat application.
Could this invite be a hoax? It's certainly possible however Joystiq claims that the email address attached to the invite "appears to be valid." The site also pointed out that Microsoft previously used Connect to test the Xbox 360's current interface, NXE.
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Awesome!
SO what, they would just send out kinnect sensors to random people at no cost for the sake of beta testing?
sounds fake to me, if not then very stupid. testing of hardware should be done by professionals, not attention derived pre-teens who manged to get in line before anyone else.
I was wondering about that myself. I seriously doubt, though, even if it is legit, that they are gonna hand out kinects for testing, but who knows, stranger things have happened!
SO what, they would just send out kinnect sensors to random people at no cost for the sake of beta testing? sounds fake to me, if not then very stupid. testing of hardware should be done by professionals, not attention derived pre-teens who manged to get in line before anyone else.
I would have to assume that the product is put through professional testing as well. It makes complete sense to test a product on consumers, seeing as how that's who will be buying it. It doesn't matter how well developed and sound a device is if no one wants to use it.
SO what, they would just send out kinnect sensors to random people at no cost for the sake of beta testing? sounds fake to me, if not then very stupid. testing of hardware should be done by professionals, not attention derived pre-teens who manged to get in line before anyone else.
Do realize, most people on the Microsoft MSDN, TechNet, and Connect are professionals, not some trigger happy Halo playing teen.
Both M$ and $ony sent packages to me with HouseParty.com before. So I dunno why this would be fake. I'm waiting for the Kinect sdk to start building medical apps.
This is not all testing. A good way to promote a product. Let people try for free and spread it through the word of mouth.
I got one of those emails too.
I was successful in applying for the beta testing for the NXE and got it installed about 2 months before it was officially released, which is probably why I have got an email about Kinect.
It seems genuine, the email header shows that it has come from the same IP range as ones regarding feedback about the NXE.
Of course its a good way of getting people interested in the product.
Having more people who have "tried it" for example at a friends house will then go and tell them about how good it was.
I personally think that every one will thing it is great within having a few goes. Its only later when you have used it for a while that its fall downs are discovered.
Its like the Wii Fit Board. How many people had a go at someone else's Wii Fit Board thought it was great bought one and then used it for about a week.?