CanadaDay
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Kinect won't support voice recognition in some countries until 2011, putting on airs won't help
"If you see it, just say it," says Microsoft's Kinect, but only in the US, UK, Mexico and Japan to start -- those are the only four countries that will support Kinect voice control by the motion-sensing peripheral's November launch. So said Microsoft PR manager Lidia Pitzalis in an interview with Eurogamer Spain, adding that Germany, Italy, France and even Canada and Spain would have to wait for a Spring 2011 update for additional language support. Microsoft claims it's a matter of accents throwing off the voice recognition, as the company's already had to build separate software versions for US and UK English, but if you're an Italian who can fake a good Cockney, you're still out of luck, as Microsoft's reportedly disabling voice control entirely in said regions until it can formally support it. And game companies wonder why we try so hard to hack those DVD drives... Update: Canada will in fact have voice support, according to Microsoft. So long as you speak English and not French.
Sony giving away three red PS3s to those blasted Canadians
Happy Canada Day, eh? PlayStation.ca is celebrating that finest of patriotic traditions with three limited edition red PS3s to be handed out to lucky contest winners. You don't need to do much to enter, just fill out a few details about yourself and call Canada your home -- or find someone to do it for you who can. The custom paint job is being done by Adrian Anz, tech customizer to the stars, and sounds like it won't be at all shabby. Of course, if you don't luck out, don't live in that vast northern wasteland, or don't want to wait for the contest to wrap up, you can always ship your system off to ColorWare or pony up for an eBay job. Just be sure you have a few pennies left over to help offset the cost of a few of those 380 promised PS3 games in the coming months -- no point in having a red PS3 if you can't afford anything to play on it. Now when are Sony and Nintendo going to get their acts together and start selling color alternatives outright?
Canada Day brings free presents for Canadians
Canadian fanboys will be be happy to know that Microsoft hasn't forgotten about your country's birthday. In celebration of Canada Day, on July 1st our Canadian friends will be treated to free downloads including a theme and a few gamer pictures featuring characters from the comic 360 Prophecy. Again, the downloads are free and will only be available for a short time to help celebrate Canada's birthday. Also, Jade posted an article over on Xbox.com counting down her favorite Canadian gamers and our very own David Dreger (aka Knuckles Dawson) made the list! We knew his achievement addiction would pay off. Congrats to you David, Canada, every Canadian, and free Marketplace downloads this July 1st. Now let's prepare to celebrate![Via 360 Prophecy]
