Avatar Kinect Makes Facial Recognition Fun for Xbox 360
Microsoft’s Avatar Kinect is now available as a free downloadable gadget for its motion-controlled Kinect Fun Labs application, accessible via online multiplayer and shopping service Xbox Live. The software maker’s Kinect Sparkler app will also be available on Thursday, July 28.
Previously announced at the E3 videogame tradeshow, Avatar Kinect is an entertainment program that lets you and up to seven friends chat, sociliaze or prance about 24 virtual stages. Users, represented by digital on-screen doubles, can use the gesture-tracking Kinect camera to make avatars’ nod, speak or assume facial expressions simply by doing so in real-life. Actions and dialogue can also be recorded, allowing you to create animated videos for sharing online via PC, Facebook, YouTube or Twitter. Available free to all Xbox Live Gold members, non-subscribers can also access the program at no charge through September 8.
A painting app that allows you to draw and view sizzling sprays of colored light in 3D by waving a finger, Kinect Sparkler tracks digits as they cut through the air, stenciling or sketching sparkling outlines.