Microsoft Kinect revealed: Project Natal finally gets a name
By Paul Miller 
posted June 13th 2010 8:17PM
posted June 13th 2010 8:17PM
posted June 13th 2010 8:17PM
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Natal was better.
@jzetz
Agreed, should of kept with Project Natal.
@jzetz
agreed. The name is meh.
@Android looks Hacked Together
Agreed.
Leave the marketing to the marketing folks.
Most people who said "Wii" was a crap name have totally forgotten about it by now.
@Android looks Hacked Together: This one doesn't roll off the tounge though. Wii is simple enough to remember.
Natal doesn't work because you don't want to confuse people in terms of how to pronounce it.
Kinetic is a name that I would not associate with this at all. Personally, though, I don't care about the name. You can call it Microsoft Susan for all I care. Ill probably still pick it up if the price is right.
@jzetz "so what shal we call netal, "eyetoy"? but spell it like this "itoy" so no1 thinks we copyd PlayStation and we will be down with the kids because we put a small i at the start like apple, naaa how about "together" because we want people to play together, no thats to boring, how about connect, because people will use it to connect, hmmm maybe but its just not different enough. OMG i have it Kinect!!!! its like kinetic energy and its pretty much connect but with a ki at the start, its new and young people like spelling things strange ways these days and it ties in with the kin1 and kin 2 phones we released last week"
@Android looks Hacked Together
no, combining to words to make a product or business name is not cool and never will be, even if every "the apprentice" team ever has done it -- actually more "because" than "even if."
verizon = vertical horizon. the name verizon is easy enough to say and has worked out fine, but surely anyone who takes a second to realize it's a mash-up for "vertical horizon" has a good pity-laugh for the idiots who put that one together.
@jzetz
Kinect(connect) is a dumb name, because it sounds like a common word... Branding is fun
@jzetz
Natal was okay as a code name but it would not have gone well in the market sector.
I like the new name.
@Android looks Hacked Together
Actually Wii is a million times better. Revolution sounds cool to 12 year olds, but from a business perspective, Wii is a very strong brand.
@dantzig
Verizon actually is short for Veritas-Horizon, not Vertical-Horizon. It's supposed to me that the truth is always on the horizon.
@Android looks Hacked Together
The Wii is to Revolution, as Kinect is to Natal. We all loved the Project names before they went and screwed them up.
Personally, I was heart broken when they renamed the Revolution. But I guess it grows on you and you just get used to it.. But Revolution and Natal will live on in our hardcore gaming hearts..
@jzetz Kinect feels a wee bit wrong to say out loud. Natal was better. Oh well, I guess we'll just get used to it as time goes by.
@Android looks Hacked Together
The Wii didn't become popular because of the name. It became popular in spite of it.
@dantzig except 'verizon' was actually derived using the latin term 'veritas' and horizon. not vertical and horizon. whos the idiot now?
@jzetz Seriously...Who comes up with those names???
@jzetz
Am I the only one seeing a trend? Microsoft Kin. Now the Kinect. I think that's their new theme.
Do any of you know what the word "natal" even means? How is natal a good name at all?! Kinect is infinitely better! Not that's it's very good, but it's still better than natal.
Natal just makes me think of abortions, that's not going to fly.
@Android looks Hacked Together
just like the Palm marketing people...
@Android looks Hacked Together
Four years later, and Wii is still a stupid name.
@stevelam
Okay you got me ... It's short for Veritas Horizon. Allow me to change examples then to Brangelina.
On the other hand I guess Brangelina caught on like wildfire. I must be wrong. Kinect must be an AWESOME name.
@jzetz Anyone else notice that it has "Kin" in the name? Maybe it connects with the Kin phones.
@Arayta More likely that it doesn't, and the connection just makes for confusion and ambiguity.
@jzetz Kinect will probably relate to the majority of people better. I think for us technology fans, Natal was a much cooler name. We'll get used to it at some point. I thought the word slate was much better than pad. I still think iPad is a horrible sounding name...but hey we all accepted it :)
@Android looks Hacked Together
Wrong. "Move" is better. You gotta think about the target audience here (young kids, casual gamers, parents). The name should be either easy to remember or to pronounce, or familiar. "Kinect" ain't any of that; some might even find it too geeky or weird.
@SolidSnake
If it has Kin in it's name they blew it.
@Android looks Hacked Together
Did I hurt you, kid?
Sure sure, you know. Finish school first before thinking of becoming a software developer.
Judging by your comments in Natal and PS Move articles, you're just one pathetic fanboy/hater.
@Android looks Hacked Together Actually the wii is still a dumb name it was dumb in 2006 and beyond nothing has changed, its just what it's called now and you have to use it and I think Kinect is dumb too. There was a rumor a couple of months ago that it would be called wave and I think that would of been perfect, but it doesn't matter I don't think I will get it anyway I like a controller more.
@jzetz: I seriously wished they would call it Natal. Kinect is, as said above probably has something to do with Kinetic energy+connect, but the first time I saw it, my first thought was, 'dang Microsoft, that Kin pun is so bad. it's not even funny. why would ou do that?'
@Android looks Hacked Together
Its just a name dude... U wont need to know what its called when you use it.
Lol. Now it is doomed for failure with that name.
@HawtDawg. Indeed not only because the name has "Kin" in it also because "properties based on Star Wars and Disney characters". I think this calls for a Forcepalm
That name doesn't even make sense!
@Android looks Hacked Together
Yeah but it doesn't really describe what it does. It sounds more like a lego ripoff!
@Android looks Hacked Together Dumber terms:
Moving around + Xbox Live
@Android looks Hacked Together
I think the Kin is part of the word Kinetic. Speaking of motion. The entire point of the 'natal' (better name) project.
@AtlantaBoiPalmPrePS3
That's true but I think there are going to be a lot of people confused about the name.
@pcwzrd13
I suppose I agree. I say we call it PlayStation Move
@AtlantaBoiPalmPrePS3
It may not be very creative but at least there's no way anyone could be confused about that name!
@pcwzrd13 As said by others, Kinetic. Or, kinesiology, the study of human movement.
As in "4" or Kinex?
@walljordan
umm what?
@AtlantaBoiPalmPrePS3 .
you know... like "Connect 4" or "K'nex" The name sounds like both...? It's the first thing that came to mind when I read the name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connect_Four
http://www.knex.com/
Natal was better. Oh well when you oust 2 important guys and let ballmer make decisions thats what you get.
@Nexus yes, because they just picked the name this week.
Are Microsoft's "mainstream" products all going to have the name "Kin" in them? Just wondering so I know which of Microsoft's products to buy.
@Howl
Kindows 7?
@JeremyBenthem
No, no, no... Kindows 8.
@Howl
so far i think i'll adopt my wife's policy that any name which starts with a k signals trashiness.
@dantzig
You mean it's krap??