UPDATE: Microsoft product management lead Albert Penello has commented on the report on NeoGAF. Penello wrote:
First – this wasn't my understanding I'm going to walk over to the engineers and ask them what's going on.
Second – I did say, very clearly and with no double-talk, that when you hear or read externally us say "localization related", it means voice, text, and other testing and certification related to Live and the Marketplace. That's honestly about as clear as you could be.
Third – it's also possible that I can be wrong sometimes.
I will find out the truth, and get back to you. If this turns out to be correct (which I don't think it is), then you absolutely have my apologies if anyone was mislead.
ORIGINAL STORY: Kinect was never particularly good at picking up certain accents on the Xbox 360 and it seems Microsoft hasn't made much progress in that regard on Xbox One; at least not for the console's launch with voice commands only available in five of the 13 launch regions on day one.
In a new webpage posted by Microsoft to adverstise the Xbox One NeoGAF users discovered that voice recognition will only be available at launch in the US, UK, Canada, France, and Germany.
"Xbox voice commands will not be available in all markets on the product release date. Voice commands will be available at launch in US, UK, CA, FR, and DE."
The Xbox One was originally intended to be released in 21 countries this November but that number has since been reduced to 13. Microsoft's Albert Penello has put the delay in the eight affected countries down to the company's desire localise voice commands on Kinect for each country.
It seems however that eight of the countries which will be getting the Xbox One at launch won't have Kinect voice commands initially anyway. Notably, the list of supported countries doesn't even cover all of the English speaking territories where the system is being released this year – namely Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia.
Given that Microsoft has consistently maintained that Kinect forms a key part of the Xbox One experience (though the sensor is no longer a requirement) and will be shipped with every console, it seems absurd just how limited support will initially be.
The Xbox One is set to be released this November for $499/€499/£429 but does not currently have a confirmed launch date.
