Kinect hacks are appearing fast and furiously since the outing of the open source drivers earlier this week. The Mac Kinect hack is a port/adaptation of Hector Martin’s libfreenect for OS X made by Theodore Watson. Check out the video after the jump to see the Kinect running on OS X.
The Early Stages of Development
The code is still in its early stages of development at the moment. But if you fancy giving it a go yourself, download the Source Code that has been tested on OS X 10.6.3 here. This early version of the hack primarily focuses on getting the Kinect hardware to communicate with the Mac OS X system. While it doesn’t yet offer full functionality, it lays the groundwork for future developments.
Unfortunately, you still can’t control anything using the Kinect on your Mac. However, the potential for future applications is immense. Developers are already brainstorming ways to integrate Kinect’s motion-sensing capabilities into various Mac applications. Imagine being able to control your media player, navigate through presentations, or even create art using just your gestures.
Potential Applications and Future Developments
The Kinect’s advanced sensor technology opens up a world of possibilities. For instance, in the realm of gaming, developers could create immersive experiences where players use their bodies as controllers. Beyond gaming, the Kinect could revolutionize fields like virtual reality, healthcare, and education. In healthcare, for example, physical therapists could use Kinect to monitor patients’ movements and provide real-time feedback during rehabilitation exercises.
In education, teachers could use Kinect to create interactive lessons that engage students in new and exciting ways. Imagine a history lesson where students can “walk” through ancient civilizations or a science class where they can manipulate 3D models of molecules with their hands. The possibilities are endless, and the open-source nature of the Kinect drivers means that anyone with the skills and creativity can contribute to its development.
Moreover, the open-source community is known for its rapid innovation and collaboration. As more developers get their hands on the Kinect drivers, we can expect to see a surge in creative applications and improvements. Already, forums and online communities are buzzing with ideas and prototypes. It’s only a matter of time before we see fully functional applications that leverage the Kinect’s capabilities on Mac OS X.
The journey of Kinect on Mac OS X is just beginning. As developers continue to explore and expand its capabilities, we can look forward to a future where motion-sensing technology becomes an integral part of our daily computing experience. Whether it’s for gaming, productivity, or creative projects, the Kinect has the potential to change the way we interact with our devices.
Stay tuned for more updates and innovations as the open-source community continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible with Kinect on Mac OS X.
Via Gizmodo
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