Kinect Comes to Windows February 1, 2012

Feeling the push from other developers that are creating similar technologies, Microsoft is releasing the Kinect for Windows on February 1, 2012, earlier than many expected.

So what can we look forward too from this revelation? From a technology point of view, the Windows version will have a much better “eye” to catch the user’s input, which makes a lot of sense. After all, not many of us who use the operating system stand 6 feet away from our desks and make gestures at the screen. Well, we do, but that’s only after a long night of blogging, but I digress. It was important to be sure that the Kinect will see the movements that are right in front of it, so Microsoft has refined the device’s field of view and understanding of close up objects, which is a big step ahead for the technology.


The Kinect for Windows is a forward looking device, not only with inherent support in Windows 7 & 8, but Windows based phones and devices. The ultimate goal for Microsoft is to enable it across their whole spectrum of products with one Kinect for all. They’ve already been talking about their switch to a Windows OS in the new game consoles over the past little bit, one of the few things leaked out that experts are pretty sure on. When this comes to pass, than their goal will be pretty much reached.

And they are already been leading by example, imploring developers to get serious about putting Kinect into their own apps and games for the PC. Microsoft has already said that they will be putting at least some degree of Kinect support into everything they make from this point on. I would assume that also means their flagship product Microsoft Office. Imagine moving documents around on the screen like Tom Cruise in Minority report, moving text by highlighting it with your hand and pasting it to another document, or perhaps even speaking to the program directly for the basic commands. But the question most on our minds (sadly) is will we get to tell off the paperclip? That would be worth the price right there.


At the same time as the release, there will be a new SDK that will be offered specifically for Kinect for Windows. The new documentation and libraries will basically be a more updated version of the beta SDK already out for the Xbox 360, but with a different licensing arrangement and obvious coding differences. The old license provided a method for which non-commercial entities could basically use the Kinect on any device they could hook it too. This included everything from Linux boxes, robots, etc. But they could not sell it, only give it away. For those who want to continue using that old version, then the agreement has not changed. In fact, they’ve extended it three more years.

Here’s the rub though. As we all know, those on the cutting edge of any device’s release will want to push it as hard as they can in as many creative ways as they can. After all, that is what drove the hacker push for the Kinect to begin with. But those wishing to do so on anything but a fully tested, properly configured Kinect for Windows based hardware and software platform, with the new SDK are going to be out of luck, even if you are doing so non-commercially. Although I highly doubt that that will stop most people. After all, it’s unlikely many asked Microsoft permission to do a lot of the things they’ve done already. I’m just afraid that such a stance could result in some legal issues later on that could muddy up the waters quite a bit.

Their answer to those that say the requirement is a power play for cash is to release the SDK for free and require no licensing fees at all for those who have the proper equipment and software, making it cheaper for already formed companies to get in on the ground floor without having to worry about being held hostage later on, which is a good deal for the developer and Microsoft in the long run.

And so you’ll be able to pick up one of these next-generation Kinects for Windows in February at your retail or online store for $249 for all licenses. Educational institutions may want to wait though because Microsoft will be offering a non-commercial license for qualified educational facilities later this year for $149.

So what do you think of their plans for Windows domination and the Kinect?