Support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant is expected to bring extended voice functionality to the Xbox One game consoles, according to a report by Windows Central.
Voice assistants on Xbox One
The report includes a screenshot of new Xbox One menu setting option to “enable digital assistants”, including Cortana, Alexa or Google Assistant. It will reportedly arrive in “upcoming Xbox One builds”.
Microsoft previously offered voice assistant functionality via Kinect but since the project was killed, the company has changed course. Xbox One also supports Cortana if you use a headset but having support for Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant would allow you to speak commands to nearby internet-connected speakers that will then pass the commands on to the Xbox.
It is not clear what features will be supported but Windows Central speculates that it is intended to “bring back many of the voice-assisted features abandoned Kinect users are yearning for”. Or perhaps Microsoft is planning even deeper integration within games.
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are increasingly been integrated in TV devices. Most recently, both voice assistants made it to LG’s TVs. Samsung on the other hand is focusing on its own Bixby voice assistant.
The leaked screenshot suggests that this is something that Microsoft has at least been experimenting with but plans can of course change.
- Source: Windows Central
