We already know Microsoft has designs for Natal beyond the Xbox 360 and into offices worldwide. But now they're going after the 400lb gorilla: Television. During the Streaming Media West show last week, Xbox Live general manager Marc Whitten said it's entirely possible that Natal could replace remote controls on Xbox 360-connected TVs.

"I believe that this will be the largest leap of TV experience since the remote control," Whitten said (Yahoo! Tech, via Kotaku). "With the flick of my wrist I can change a channel. With the power of my voice I can start a movie."

But according to Whitten, the possibilities go beyond simply replacing current controls with hand waving: Natal technology could eventually be used to make television viewing a more interactive experience. "Laughter is an input. Yelling at the TV when I know an answer on 'Jeopardy' is an input. Attention is an input. The number of people in the room at one time is an input," Whitten said, insinuating that Natal could be able to read all of these "inputs" and put them to use.

And it'll all go toward reaching what Microsoft sees as the future of television, where user-customized viewing replaces traditional ideas of broadcasting. "The context is not 1 billion channels, but one," Whitten said. "One channel, with what I want, when I want it."

And meanwhile, that will surely mean selling a lot more Natals and 360s to make it all happen. Isn't corporate synergy fantastic?