Rumor: Microsoft preparing Kinect SDK, drivers for Windows

[Emil]

Microsoft will announce official Kinect support for PC in the coming months, and will allow third-party developers to create titles that utilize the sensor when plugged into a PC. Microsoft is currently preparing an official Kinect SDK and driver support for Windows PCs, which may be part of an upcoming Community Technical Preview of the company's XNA Game Studio tools, according to sources familiar with the plans cited by WinRumors.

When the Kinect was first released, and hackers immediately started testing what the hardware could do when plugged into anything but an Xbox, Redmond was not amused. After a few weeks though, Microsoft realized that the Kinect hacking community was a good thing and announced that it would not try to stop those who bought the Xbox accessory and used it for more than just basic gaming.

Rumors sprang up that the Kinect was coming to the PC, at least via unofficial channels. Earlier this month, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer hinted that the software giant would support the Kinect on PCs "in the right time." That time is apparently sooner rather than later.

The Kinect has sold exceptionally well so far. Microsoft sold over 8 million units in the first 60 days of availability. The company originally hoped to sell 5 million units by the end of 2010, but sales surpassed that expectation rather formidably.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/42007-rumor-microsoft-preparing-kinect-sdk-drivers-for-windows.html

 

[fastvince]

Good this mean the End of the Mouse ? It could read finger movements, so we would not need a mouse anymore.

 

[Emil]

fastvince said:
Good this mean the End of the Mouse ? It could read finger movements, so we would not need a mouse anymore.

Maybe in some later iteration, but not at this point. I see it as input device, not as a replacement input device.

 

[princeton]

fastvince said:
Good this mean the End of the Mouse ? It could read finger movements, so we would not need a mouse anymore.

PC gamers use the mouse, so the mouse will stay. Besides, it's a fact that navigating using keyboard shortcuts is faster than any other method.

 

[yRaz]

I like my mouse and trackball. I think the Kinect is cool, but not practical.

 

[Jurassic4096]

trackball?!

 

[fastvince]

Yea..guess the mouse will be around for awhile longer......

 

[TomSEA]

Just another fad that will be around for 6-12 months until people get tired of flailing their arms to make their computer do what it could previously do with one click of the mouse. Then those Kinects will be collecting dust.

 

[g4mer]

Nothing is able to replace a mouse. I like mouses and keyboards more than those touchscreen and Kinect bullshits.

 

[aj_the_kidd]

To play devils advocate, touch screen phones were considered a fad, hell steve balmer mocked the idea outright and now look at them. My point is, i dont think Kinect or Motion detection technology in general is just a fad, it will continue to grow, especially since Microsoft are behind it. If Apple gets serious and jumps in, its gameover from there.

 

[Archean]

Not until they damn well start selling touch keyboards ........

Tom, to some extent I do agree with your point of view, but I think even MS doesn't really know at this moment in time what exactly Kinect can do, until then we will continue to buy mice and keyboards.