Microsoft will release a version of Xbox One without the Kinect peripheral packed in this June, the company announced this morning.
The new package will be available on June 9th and will cost $399. The new, Kinectless version, according to Xbox chief Phil Spencer, will be available in all markets where the Xbox One is sold. For users that wish to later purchase a Kinect peripheral seperately, Microsoft will offer the device as a standalone purchase this Fall.
“To be clear, as we introduce this new Xbox One console option, Kinect remains an important part of our vision,” said Spencer. “Many of you are using Kinect for Xbox One every day. In fact, more than 80 percent of you are actively using Kinect, with an average of 120 voice commands per month on each console. Some of the most popular voice commands include ‘Xbox On,’ ‘Xbox Broadcast’ and ‘Xbox Record That’.”
“We will continue to offer a premium Xbox One with Kinect bundle to deliver voice and gesture controls, biometric sign-in, instant personalization, instant scanning of QR codes, and enhanced features only available with Kinect in games such as Kinect Sports Rivals, Just Dance 2014, Project Spark and more.”
Previously, The Xbox One cost $499. The new package without Kinect brings the system in line with Sony’s PlayStation 4 in terms of pricing.
