Microsoft has released an update today adding Kinect support for the Netflix app on Xbox 360. With it, you can control your movies and TV shows without having to pick up a controller. Kinda.
There are two separate ways of using Kinect to control Netflix. From the Kinect Hub, a version of Netflix featuring only recommended titles can be accessed — anything that is in your queue can’t be seen. In order to see any of that content, you need a controller to open up Netflix the old fashioned way and select what you want to watch. From there, you’re free to use your hands or voice commands (“Xbox, pause,” et al) to control the viewing experience.
Kinect support for Netflix was promised long ago and then was reaffirmed during this year’s CES to be coming. It’s not the most elegant solution — ideally, you’d be able to access your Netflix queue without ever having to reach for a controller. Hopefully that’s something that will eventually be possible. For now, this will still make watching episodes of Archer and Californication a bit more convenient.
