Microsoft is unleashing voice recognition to gamers on Xbox Live using Kinect, along with Bing searching for access to digital content, Youtube capability, and live UFC showings.  Microsoft plans to hook up Xbox 360 game consoles with a Kinect’s built-in microphone to allow users to visit digital media content—including music, games, TV shows and movies—by merely uttering their search.  The voice-activated internet exploration will be supported by Bing, Microsoft’s search engine.

Ray Muzyka of EA’s BioWare branch discussed the new voice recognition feature for Kinect at E3, saying it will allow gamers to dispatch voice commands with or without a controller while playing.  This will include menu navigation, internet searching, and operation of the actual characters in the game without using a handheld controller.  This is unlike any other controller gamers have ever seen before—the sound of their own voice.

Xbox also plans to add Youtube and live UFC showings to the Xbox Live stream for the ultimate entertainment experience.  Not much was said about the integration with Youtube, except that Live will soon include Youtube support.  Dana White, UFC president, announced at E3 that pay per view events will be streamed via Xbox Live, as included in the new deal they have incurred with Microsoft.

Not only can Xbox Live users play video games, they can now pilot their system without a controller, surf the web, and watch movies, TV shows, and some of the best fights in the world.  The most fascinating part of Microsoft’s new releases is that they can all be easily accessed solely by the gamers’ verbal commands.