Steve Ballmer, Microsoft’s CEO, has announced that Microsoft’s Kinect motion controller gaming peripheral will be arriving for Windows on February 1st, 2012. If you would like to be one of the first to get your hands on the new Kinect device, the Kinect for Windows gaming peripheral is now available to pre-order for $249.99 from Amazon.
The new Kinect for Windows Sensor is fitted with a shortened USB cable to ensure reliability across a broad range of computers and includes a small dongle to improve support with other USB peripherals.
Enhanced Features and Capabilities
The Kinect for Windows firmware enables the depth camera to see objects as close as 50 centimeters in front of the device without losing accuracy or precision, with graceful degradation down to 40 centimeters. This is a significant improvement over the original Kinect for Xbox 360, which was primarily designed for living room scenarios where users are typically further away from the sensor.
A new “Near Mode” feature included in the Kinect for Windows will enable a whole new class of “close up” applications. This feature is particularly useful for desktop environments and other settings where space is limited. For example, Near Mode can be used in educational software, allowing students to interact with learning materials in a more engaging and hands-on manner. It can also be beneficial in medical applications, where precise hand movements and gestures can be tracked for physical therapy or surgical training.
Commercial Applications and SDK
The Kinect for Windows sensor unit is intended to be used with the Kinect for Windows Commercial SDK and applications that have been developed using the Kinect for Windows Commercial SDK and associated runtime software. This opens up a plethora of opportunities for developers to create innovative applications across various industries.
For instance, in retail, Kinect for Windows can be used to create interactive displays that respond to customer movements, providing a more immersive shopping experience. In the automotive industry, it can be used for virtual showrooms where customers can explore car models in 3D without the need for physical vehicles. Additionally, in the field of robotics, Kinect for Windows can enhance the capabilities of robots by providing them with advanced vision and gesture recognition.
Moreover, the Kinect for Windows SDK provides developers with tools to access the sensor’s full range of capabilities, including skeletal tracking, face tracking, and voice recognition. This allows for the creation of applications that can understand and respond to human gestures and commands, making technology more intuitive and accessible.
The Kinect for Windows also supports a wide range of operating systems, ensuring compatibility with various computing environments. This flexibility makes it an ideal choice for businesses and developers looking to integrate motion-sensing technology into their products and services.
The release of Kinect for Windows marks a significant step forward in the evolution of motion-sensing technology. With its enhanced features, improved accuracy, and broad range of applications, it has the potential to revolutionize how we interact with computers and other devices. Whether you’re a developer looking to create cutting-edge applications or a business seeking to enhance customer engagement, Kinect for Windows offers a powerful and versatile solution.
Source: Amazon
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