Kinect gestures dropped from new Xbox One Experience update

Microsoft has confirmed that it has cut the ability for users to control their Xbox Ones via gestures in its New Xbox One Experience update for the console.

When we looked at the New Xbox One Experience we wanted to prioritize features that customers were asking for, plus areas of improvement from the existing Xbox One UI,” Xbox and Windows engineer Mike Ybarra told Windows Central.

Then, we wanted to look at the use-case model of features that take a lot of investment and say, ‘is it worth continuing to invest in that area?’. 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 November 12th] they won’t be in the product. We’ll continue to monitor and listen to feedback to see if people want them in.”

Ybarra also confirmed that while mouse support is on the way to the console – as has previously been confirmed by Xbox boss Phil Spencer – there are other projects that have been given priority.

We actually have keyboard support right now, not for games, but you can attach it and do input,” the exec added. It’s on our list, we look at user feedback, some things pop and some things don’t. I would say that one’s kind of lower on the list relative to things like background music, and the list goes on.

It’s certainly in the backlog of things we’re looking at and if more and more fans are asking for it, it’ll get more interest. Would people want an Xbox One Windows desktop in the living room? It’s interesting to think about.”