You can now control your Xbox One with Alexa and Cortana – BGR

When the Xbox One was launched, the revival of Kinect seemed to be a distinct possibility. After all, Microsoft had built all kinds of smart voice commands into its camera, but a few months after the console arrived, the writing was already on the wall. The Kinect was dead, and Microsoft confessed as much when it ceased production at the end of 2017.

The most disappointing was that the Kinect was the best way to interact with the console via voice commands, because no one wants to plug in a headset or a microphone every time he wants his Xbox One to turn off, change chain. , or play a game. But after all this time, Microsoft finally introduces two legitimate alternatives, because devices compatible with Cortana and Alexa can now be used to control the Xbox One via voice commands.

Starting this Thursday for some Xbox Insiders in the United States, Xbox Skill can be used to activate or deactivate the Xbox One, adjust the volume, launch games and applications, capture screenshots, start and stop broadcasts, etc. If you have the Xbox skill on your Echo, for example, just say "Alexa, start Halo 5"To play the game.

Here are the steps to follow if you want to use Cortana:

1. Log in to the Xbox you want to control.
2. On your Windows 10 PC, click here and sign in with your Microsoft account to associate the skill.
3. Try your first order! "Hey Cortana, tell Xbox to open Netflix."

Here are the steps to follow if you want to use Alexa:

1. Log in to the Xbox you want to control.
2. Click here, sign in with your Amazon account, and click Activate.
3. Sign in with your Microsoft account to associate the skill.
4. Let Alexa discover your console, then follow the instructions to pair your console with Alexa.
5. Try your first order! "Alexa, launch Rocket League."

The Xbox Skill integrates with a variety of devices: Windows 10 PC, Amazon Echo, Harman Kardon Invoke, Sonos One apps, Cortana and Alexa on iOS and Android. The Xbox Skill will be rolled out on the Xbox Insider rings before it is finally launched for all users at any given time.