[update]Avatar Kinect

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Some photos snapped from behind the scenes at the setup for this week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas hint Microsoft will be showing something called "Avatar Kinect".

What is it? Provided, that is, these shots show anything other than a new marketing slogan? Your guess is as good as ours, since it won't be fully detailed until later this week when Microsoft holds its press conference on Wednesday night. We'll have men on the ground at the show, by the way, so will be bringing you the news on whatever it is "Avatar Kinect" turns out to be.

For what it's worth, given the name I'd wager it's some kind of social networking system using both your 360 avatar and the Kinect camera. Watch football games or movies with like-minded folks in the same Xbox Live Party while using/seeing your avatars, that kind of thing.

We've contacted Microsoft for comment, and will update if we hear back.

UPDATE - WinRumors says almost exactly that, the site claiming that Avatar Kinect is a software update "delivered over Xbox LIVE, [that] will allow Kinect owners to interact with each other using their avatars. The avatars will have a separate area, much like Nintendo's Mii channel, that will allow for users to control them using Kinect and interact to watch content or play games."

source

so this is a Xbox home version?
 
The Characters look more similar to Nintendo Wii's Mii Avatars which are more cartoon like.
 
update:

As rumored yesterday, Microsoft properly unveiled its new Avatar Kinect service during the company’s CES 2011 keynote presentation this evening in Las Vegas. The service will introduce new facial recognition capabilities that will allow the Kinect to project changes in expression and even lip syncing onto Xbox 360 avatars.


There will be a variety of virtual “sets” in which users will be able to interact with friends and chat about the day’s events or a movie they all just watched together over Xbox Live. These sessions can also be recorded and then shared online.

Avatar Kinect will launch in Spring 2011, and will be available for free for Xbox Live Gold Members. We have boots on the ground at CES, so expect more details about the service and more shortly.

source
 
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