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Microsoft to unveil new Kinect 'Fun Labs,' Halo 4 at E3

Summary: Microsoft inadvertently (I think) published information about some of its E3 conference announcements a couple of hours before the actual press conference where company officials will take the wraps off the latest Xbox-related developments.

Mary Jo Foley

By for All About Microsoft |

Microsoft inadvertently (I think) published information about some of its E3 conference announcements a couple of hours before the actual press conference where company officials will take the wraps off the latest Xbox-related developments.

Microsoft video spots showing off Halo 4, Kinect Star Wars, more Kinect sports games, Kinect Fun Labs gadgets and new voice search capabilities for Xbox Live temporarily went live this morning on Microsoft's Web site. (Thanks to @JoshPhillips for the initial catch.)

Kinect Fun Labs is a collection of tools for building custom Kinect gadgets. The tools include Build Buddy, Googly Eyes, Kinect Me (a tool for creating avatars that look like users), a BobbleHead-avatar creation tool and Kinect Sparklers (that allow users to add sparkly elements to their backgrounds). Once users create new/enhanced avatars and gadgets, they can share them with friends via a common hub.

(Here's a screen capture of the Kinect Fun Labs information Microsoft posted)

(click on image above to enlarge)

Halo 4 is "in development." (I'm thinking that means it is coming later this holiday season... or maybe not until holiday 2012?) Update: No Halo 4 until holiday 2012, Microsoft says.

Update: Here's a bit more on Kinect Star Wars,  courtesy of The Washington Post.

There's still a possibility that Microsoft might unveil Project "Orapa," a mash-up of Mediaroom IPTV with Xbox Live --  which may be branded as Xbox Live Diamond, during today's Microsoft E3 press conference, which starts at 12:30 p.m. ET today and will be Webcast here.

Other tidbits from today's press conference:

* Microsoft is making sure there will be plenty of hard-core shooter games that will take advantage of Kinect available later this year -- along with more "family-oriented" Disney, Sims, sports and other similar titles.

* If Orapa is going to be named "Xbox Live Diamond," Microsoft execs didn't use that name today. Instead, they called it "Xbox Live TV," and said it would be available to consumers this fall. (That means Microsoft is seemingly on schedule, as I heard fall 2011 as Orapa's commercial due date.) Microsoft didn't announce the names of any broadcast partners who will be offering Xbox Live TV, but I've heard the company will likely go first with those already signed up to sell Mediaroom IPTV. YouTube support seemingly will be part of the new Live TV package, as well.

* Bing search is being added to Xbox Live. Voice-enabled search will be provided for those with a Kinect sensor. It will be part of a new Xbox 360 dashboard coming later this year.

* No mention of the whereabouts of the expected Kinect SDK beta for hobbyists. It is due "this spring," last we heard. But no beta today. And no new information as to the final version of Avatar Kinect, either.

Topics: CXO, Hardware, Microsoft, Mobility

About

Mary Jo has covered the tech industry for more than 25 years for a variety of publications and Web sites, and is a frequent guest on radio, TV and podcasts, speaking about all things Microsoft-related. She is the author of Microsoft 2.0: How Microsoft plans to stay relevant in the post-Gates era (John Wiley & Sons, 2008).

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  • RE: Microsoft to unveil new Kinect 'Fun Labs,' Halo 4 at E3

    "Kinect Star Wars"?!

    Count me in!

    Didn't Master Chief die at the end of Halo 3? It'll be interesting how they continue the saga.
    jmiller1978
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft to unveil new Kinect 'Fun Labs,' Halo 4 at E3

      @jmiller1978 That's exactly what I said. I might actually have to break down and get a Kinect if they do the Star Wars thing well enough. I had hope when the Wii first came out, but that was a bust.
      Aerowind
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Microsoft to unveil new Kinect 'Fun Labs,' Halo 4 at E3

        @Aerowind

        The wii isn't bad. First party games look and play well on it. The issue is 3rd parties don't take the time to make the games right. Hopefully that will change with the new Nintendo system
        KBot
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Microsoft to unveil new Kinect 'Fun Labs,' Halo 4 at E3

        @Aerowind Eh, I know there are good games on the Wii. I was saying that more as a "There's no awesome lightsaber dueling game on the Wii".
        Aerowind
        Reply Vote

      • Wii so easy to hack most online play is dominated by cheaters.

        I had to hack my Son's Wii, against my better judgement, so that he could play online without being completely dominated at all times. It really only made it level playing field. So I don't feel so bad about him having full access to all attributes at will.
        But Kinect ROCKS and is getting better and better and games that support it are increasing quickly.
        Nothing else comes close.
        xuniL_z
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Microsoft to unveil new Kinect 'Fun Labs,' Halo 4 at E3

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    • RE: Microsoft to unveil new Kinect 'Fun Labs,' Halo 4 at E3

      @jmiller1978

      You didn't beat the game on legendary did you? I won't spoil thr end for you, but either look it up on youtube or beat Halo 3 on Legendary to see what happens.
      KBot
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Microsoft to unveil new Kinect 'Fun Labs,' Halo 4 at E3

        @KBot

        D'Oh! Different ending, now I have to. I refuse to watch on YouTube.
        jmiller1978
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft to unveil new Kinect 'Fun Labs,' Halo 4 at E3

    So, Microsoft, can Windows users FINALLY get Halo on PC? Or are you going to continue ignoring your PC gaming users for the XBox?
    The one and only, Cylon Centurion
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft to unveil new Kinect 'Fun Labs,' Halo 4 at E3

      @Cylon Centurion

      Both Halo 1 and Halo 2 were released to the PC. Sadly nothing after that was.
      jmiller1978
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Microsoft to unveil new Kinect 'Fun Labs,' Halo 4 at E3

        @jmiller1978

        Exactly, I'd like to know why Microsoft shafted it's PC gamers. There is no logical reason why PC users can't get Halo.
        The one and only, Cylon Centurion
        Reply Vote

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