Sources: Microsoft waving Kinect beta invites around

by Richard Mitchell on Aug 9th 2010 7:00PM

If an invitation provided to Joystiq by several tipsters is accurate, Microsoft will soon begin the "Xbox Live and Kinect Beta Program." Several readers claim to have received the invitation via Microsoft Connect, a Microsoft service used to gather customer feedback on its products. The invitation itself includes little information about the program, though it notes that participants will be provided with "a unique opportunity to see pre-release software."

It also notes that an "audio change" in said software will not allow participants to use individual or party chat with anyone that is not part of the preview program. This could indicate that participants will be trying out the new Kinect dashboard seen at E3, which featured a new video chat application.

The email address attached to the invites appears to be valid, and it's worth pointing out that Microsoft has used Connect in the past, notably before it launched the NXE. Microsoft has yet to respond to Joystiq's inquiries into the validity of the invitation.

[Thanks to everyone that sent this in!]

Tags: Kinect, microsoft, xbox

Reader Comments (48)

I've gone to the demo station here in Scottsdale a few times. I wish I'd be offered an invite some how.

@MarkHawk Sigh... one day there will be an edit button right?

@MarkHawk Yep, but as they say, the official one would be on November.
http://2su.de/i8q

They better bring me in.

Wonder if hardware will be part of it... I'm not sacrificing my party chat if the aren't going to send the hardware to go with the software....

@psyXcho It would be a tad bit hard to beta test the software without the hardware. Still, seems awful generous to have people beta test a $100-$150 device.

@SaberJ

see that's why I'm a lil skeptical. That's a lot of money to hand out, but then again it is Microsoft. I'm hopeful.

If they let you keep it that might be cool.

@MrAlex

Maybe this is Microsoft's grand plan on getting hardcore gamers to get a Kinect: give it away!

...forward that email to me please :]

@No Kill Tayler

said in big bold letters DO NOT FORWARD! Sorry :D

Double crossing mofos.

These people not heard of confidentiality?

I hope all your credit card details get robbed.

@DarrylKensley

Oops, was that your cereal that I pissed in? Sorry, I thought it was someone else's....

umm so is there a a way to sign up, like the previous nxe program? or are they randomly choosing people?

thats not fair, It says "As a former active member of our xbox live preview program..." wtf I've been in their last 2 previews and still 'ACTIVE' as they say

@splitsaw1 Same here, but I don't mind. It really is a pain not being able to chat with my friends who are not in the preview. But if MS is giving away free Kinect hardware to its beta testers, screw my friends :P

I got an invite :)
Wish me luck

@PooEater

no

Well, as those who signed up had to include shipping information, and I would know, I got an e-mail, it would seem that they would be sending a Kinect unit.

@YimYimYimi Yah same here I got the email about a week ago and I thought it was a scam at first but I was invited to the NXE preview last time so it would be nice to get this one

I just bought an Xbox 360, but I doubt Kinect will ever be on my machine.

Email me please. Send me a beta Kinect device or something. Change my mind on it since I will not buy it.

I wish I'd get an invite.

I got a invite the other day also!

@(Unverified)

Do thy email it to you or is it from the xbox? Man it'd be sweet to get a free connect since it won't be cheap.

Free Kinect? If so, sign me up.

I can confirm this, yo. They send it by email, you click the link, do a short survey (do you have an xbox, do you work for the enemy etc.) and then you're done. You're not guaranteed to get in, however, so I'm still crossing my fingers.

I got the Email ^-^, Losing Private and Party chat for a month (or 2) is a small price to pay for a free Kinect; Hope I get in.

@killer rin if its the similar to ones in the past....then I'm sure it says that you can't even mention having said invite.....if thats the case....then you may be in trouble already....lol

@Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi

I'm pretty sure thats only if you get into the program your not aloud to talk about it... Becasue if the past ones are any clues, you can Say you got in, but once your in you can't talk about it

You have to send the beta Kinect kit back after, it's a preview, not a giveaway.

Are hey still sending out invites, because me not getting one just ruined my day.

You guys might want to check your email to about a week ago. I got my email on the 3rd of August. Just an FYI

The new Kinect dashboard is so awesome. I've got to get in on this demo. I can't wait 3 months.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfsGy0gRR4M

@cool8man You know what that menu system reminds me of ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7yJiwm2uDw

@cool8man you know what the new dashboard reminded me of ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7yJiwm2uDw

@McDuckScrooged

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfsGy0gRR4M

The way he swipes the screen across like the iPhone springboard is so cool. I love the distortions and animations when you hover over the apps. Love how it previews videos from where you left off when you hover. Starting apps with just your voice is sick. The whole thing is awesome.

Cool to see MS making great animations and transitions in all of their software now. The new Xbox 360 dashboard and the Metro UI in Windows Phone 7 seem like the type of design you would only ever get from Apple in the past.

More then likely Microsoft will charge you for the hardware. They did the same thing for the XBox Live Beta, you had to pay for the kit.

The email states: "DO NOT: blog, post pictures or videos, discuss on social networking sites, or talk with media or press about the program or its contents. ". >

Nice. So I was in the Xbox Live Beta for the original Xbox AND the NXE beta and I don't get an invite? Not to mention that I've bought every new model of 360 that has come out and have gotten at least 5 friends to buy them that weren't going to.

Note: The subject of the Kinect beta came up in the latest Major Nelson podcast.

Also, I'm not sure that they are necessarily giving these testers any hardware. I think its more likely this is a test of dashboard updates related to Kinect and how they function on systems and connections that don't have the hardware in the real world.

I may or may not have received one of these invites. IF i did, i would have signed a digital NDA, sooooo yeah, i can neither confirm nor deny.

Microsoft, I grant you permission to send me a beta kit for Kinect. Thanks muchly.

When you applied for the beta (which I did), did it appear in your microsoft connect dashboard?

@Richard Mitchell

Shame on you for posting this!

Didn't you read the the bold text saying "Please DO NOT Forward." ;)

I just checked my settings on Connect and even though I participated in the NXE beta, it was set to not notify me about new programs. I hope they send out more emails!

can someone explain to me where they signed up to be a beta tester?
or was it just random from the xbox website?

I havent got an invitation, yet i have an offline preview which i got off Digiex.com :)

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Sources: Microsoft waving Kinect beta invites around

Reader Comments (48)

Posted: Aug 9th 2010 7:04PM MarkHawk said

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