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Yet another reason to skip commercials: Microsoft ad TURNS ON your Xbox One

Aaron Paul spot inadvertently triggers Kinect voice commands

Xbox One users are complaining that Microsoft's newest ad for the console is randomly activating their systems.

The advertisement in question features television star Aaron Paul navigating the console via voice commands. The Breaking Bad star speaks praise of the console while enjoying a game of Titanfall and a bit of television.

In the process, however, Paul also inadvertently trolls the Redmond faithful who themselves have Xbox One consoles placed near their television or speakers. The actor's voice commands in the commercial can also be picked up by nearby consoles via the Kinect voice sensor.

When Paul delivers commands such as "Xbox on" and "Xbox go to Titanfall" in the ad, consoles have been responding accordingly, activating every time the commercial plays.

The Kinect unit, allowing voice and gesture recognition for commands, has been a standard feature on the Xbox One since Microsoft first shipped the console last year. The company only recently uncoupled the system from the console with the introduction of a $399 Kinect-free model.

Vulture West has put in a request for comment, should Microsoft have anything to, er, "say" on the matter. In the meantime, Xbox One owners might want to keep their TV remotes handy, and mute the offending ad when it appears.

Microsoft, of all companies, should be aware of the trolling potential for Kinect's voice command feature. The company itself has played on the subject in its own ads. ®

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