Cameron Wright
Microsoft Kinect is coming to Windows (AND??) laptops? During CES 2012 Microsoft announced that they would be releasing the Kinect for Windows PC’s. They released the SDK earlier this month you can download it here. Microsoft is following its old patterns of gouging consumers charging an additional $100 over the cost of the Xbox 360 Kinect. If you have yet to see or test the Kinect we have included a video below.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diy7rkWkDtU]
This in itself is exciting. I am hoping to have a review unit (two actually) coming to Nibletz for in-depth testing of the Kinect on the few PCs that we have at our disposal. TechCrunch and The Daily are reporting that a few other options may be on the horizon. The Daily was able to spend some time with a pair of prototype laptops with Kinect sensors built-in to the devices. While no photos were taken they did give a brief description of what they witnessed.
“The Daily had a chance to check out a pair of prototypes incorporating Kinect sensors over the last few days. The devices, which at first glance appear to be Asus netbooks running Windows 8, feature an array of small sensors stretching over the top of the screen where the webcam would normally be. At the bottom of the display is a set of what appear to be LEDs.” Matt Hickey, The Daily
They also identified a potential to give people with disabilities more accessibility options. This would be ideal in the kitchen while cooking, using it as a HTPC, and automotive applications. I have already started to plan the way that I will be using this as my Infotainment system in my next car. Microsoft will be showing off the preview for Windows 8 and they will most likely take that time to showcase all of the innovation coming out of Redmond.
Kinect for launches for Windows on February 1st, 2012 in 12 countries (United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, United Kingdom), at a suggested retail price of US $249. Read more from Microsoft here
