Microsoft has announced that a Kinect-free version of the Xbox One will be available for $399, starting June 9th.
According to head of Xbox Phil Spencer, the package will be available “in all markets where Xbox One is sold,” and a standalone Kinect sensor will be available this fall.
“We’ve heard that you want more choices from Xbox One. You want a wide variety of options in your games and entertainment experiences and you also want options in your hardware selection,” said Spencer. “To be clear, as we introduce this new Xbox One console option, Kinect remains an important part of our vision. Many of you are using Kinect for Xbox One every day. In fact, more than 80 percent of you are actively using Kinect, with an average of 120 voice commands per month on each console.”
Microsoft will also begin its Games with Gold program for Xbox One in June, and the company has confirmed it will remove the Xbox Live Gold requirement for entertainment apps including Netflix, Machinima and HBO GO.
(via Polygon)