Microsoft Releases Kinect for Windows Hardware, SDK

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The hardware and SDK to Kinect for Windows is now shipping, as promised.

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Kevin Parrish
Kevin Parrish
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.

22 Comments Comment from the forums
  • zybch
    Interesting to see what new applications the kinect will be used for in the future.
    Reply
  • jryan388
    It's not compatible with the xbox sensor? Fail >.> Costs 2x as much? Fail >.>
    Reply
  • azathoth
    support for up to four Kinect sensors plugged into the same computer

    I can hardly even imagine what people may come up with using FOUR sensors in a surround setup!
    Reply
  • Darkerson
    In regards to all the enhancements over the original, I could understand maybe $150, but $250?
    No thanks!
    Reply
  • alextheblue
    jryan388It's not compatible with the xbox sensor? Fail >.> Costs 2x as much? Fail >.>DarkersonIn regards to all the enhancements over the original, I could understand maybe $150, but $250? No thanks!They make money selling the games. So it's easy to sell Kinect for 360 cheaply, because people will buy games for it. The PC version? There AREN'T any compatible games yet! Nor are there really any "regular joe" applications for it. Kinect on PC, whether using a not-so-well-supported Xbox Kinect with beta SDK OR using the new hardware and SDK, is in its infancy.

    As we see more software supporting it, especially game titles, the price will come down. We may also see Kinect-compatible sensor arrays integrated into laptops and monitors. So unless you've got early adopter syndrome, chill out.
    Reply
  • tomfreak
    Good it is time for the era of us having eating Ramen while browsing internet.
    Reply
  • JOSHSKORN
    No thanks. I'll wait until this product is integrated with existing or future webcams. That shouldn't be too far away. The last thing I want is another big box on my desk.

    I do love the idea though of Kinect, maybe moreso for video games, though.
    Reply
  • southernshark
    alextheblueThey make money selling the games. So it's easy to sell Kinect for 360 cheaply, because people will buy games for it. The PC version? There AREN'T any compatible games yet! Nor are there really any "regular joe" applications for it. Kinect on PC, whether using a not-so-well-supported Xbox Kinect with beta SDK OR using the new hardware and SDK, is in its infancy.As we see more software supporting it, especially game titles, the price will come down. .
    Of course the reverse is also true and maybe TRUER. If a product costs a lot and no one buys it then no one will ever make applications for it. You have to have a demand before you get a lot of developer interest. Few people are going to program something so that 5000 people might buy it.....

    To me Microsoft is really screwing up with this by not bringing it out at a lower price point and by not decreasing its size somewhat and by not making it X-box compatible. You add the three together and you end up with stale bread.

    I love the idea of Kinect but at $250.00 I'm going to pass and wait for a 3d party product to do the same thing for 1/3 the cost.
    Reply
  • Darkerson
    alextheblue So unless you've got early adopter syndrome, chill out.
    I dont remember anyone getting particularly wound up. Just annoyed by the price. But if you think its worth $250, then by all means. Have fun with that!
    Reply
  • notsleep
    well, if it comes with software to control my win7 machine, then maybe i'm interested. but if it only ships with the hw and nothing else, not so much. :P
    Reply