Xbox Live and Windows Live Messenger are about to collide. But hopefully in a friendly and personal way. Microsoft just announced a new video chat service called Video Kinect. It’s an extension of its brand new Kinect voice- and motion-sensing control system.

We’re talking more than just video calling. You’ll be able to watch movies, news, sports and more with whoever you’re chatting with. Another interesting new feature is a skeleton-tracking tech that makes the Kinect unit follow users as they move around the room. Sounds creepy, but at least it is connecting you with your friends.

The recently relaunched ESPN3 online portal is coming to Xbox 360. Exclusively. It was just announced during Microsoft’s pre-E3 press conference. Sportscenter hosts took to the stage demonstrating it, using footage from a USC / Ohio State game.

It has built in Kinect controller support, instant replays, highlights, polls and more, all accessible with your fingers or by the sound of your voice. It should be interesting to see how well this does. Should please many sports fans.

“Project Natal” has now become Microsoft Kinect. Several demos were shown, like Star Wars and even tiger petting. The Kinect interface to the Dashboard was also shown and a video chat app where you can talk to up to four friends and also share photos.

Nothing on price or date yet, but we can expect a holiday release. Price rumors are as high as $150. Likely it will be cheaper than that since this is a console add-on and not a full console. We will have to wait and see.