Microsoft got gamers excited when it unveiled one of the most-wanted gaming consoles, the Xbox One, recently. However, the latest gaming console may ruffle a few feathers of those who value privacy - it can track everything you had watched on your television with its "always on" feature.
Microsoft has submitted a patent application which suggests that the company intends to track viewing habits of Xbox owners and reward viewers who watch adverts or shows with credits and achievements. Additionally, the new "always on" Kinect sensor can follow your eye movements and detect everything that is happening in the room at a given time.
Microsoft filed the patent in 2011, which reads "To increase interactive viewing and encourage a user to watch one or more particular items of video content, awards and achievements may be tied to those items of video content."
The patent details Microsoft's plan to reward viewers for watching adverts, TV shows or series, with virtual scores, or physical awards such as coupons and products; however, gamers will have the option to opt-in or opt-out and the "always on" feature will not be turned on by default.
The patent doesn't indicate if it refers to the Xbox One or its predecessor, the Xbox 360, or even both. However, the patent corresponds to the Xbox One, which focuses on being more of a home entertainment device, specifically its live TV capabilities.
The patent application also says "Producers, distributors, and advertisers of the video content may set viewing goals and award a viewer who has reached the goals. By providing content viewing goals and awarding the viewer for reaching the goals, the present disclosure provides for an interactive television viewing experience."
The Xbox One may raise privacy concerns if it tracks everything you watch on your television. Many gamers may think that the Redmond company will spy on their living room as the Xbox One will track owners' reactions, learning and emotional reactions, which will be processed on an external server.
