Microsoft Tweaks Kinect Firmware, Windows Hardware Coming
Microsoft Tweaks Kinect Firmware, Windows Hardware Coming
Posted 11/22/2011 at 3:29pm
| by Ryan Whitwam
2
Comments
Print
Microsoft released a Kinect for Windows SDK several months ago, and now the Kinect team has posted an update on new sensor hardware specifically for a PC. The original Kinect for Xbox had some flaws that made us question its viability on the PC side of things, but the blog post by Craig Eisler cites a number of ways that Redmond is working to tweak Kinect for a Windows environment.
Eisler first talked about changes to the USB cable, which seem fairly unimportant. Then he got to the meat of it. Kinect for Xbox has issues seeing and identifying things closer than a few feet. According to Eisler, after some changes to the camera firmware, Kinect is going to be able to see objects about 50cm away. That makes a desktop experience viable for the first time.
The already solid Kinect SDK tools are also due for a refresh, which will incorporate the new firmware features. The SDK will be opened to commercial licensing sometime next year in advance of Windows 8.
More like this
2
Comments
Comments are closed on this article
praack
November 23, 2011 at 8:45am
well the dance game is fun - would be nice to have that on pc with the kinect
might be better for the advanced use in Operating Rooms and such - where they are using hacks to get it to work to show CT and angio cuts rather than having to break sterile to go look or have a nurse hold up the copy to the light
but other than games in lieu of being console bound or such advanced uses as in the second paragraph- I agree with Holly on this one. I am not a gesture person for standard computer use- probably why I will not get a touch screen to replace my keyboard mouse for the desktop.
Holly Golightly
November 23, 2011 at 1:21am
I can see using the Kinect on a PC getting old pretty fast. I do not like the idea of telling my computer to launch something. Actually, I do not even like talking on the phone. I also don't like the idea of being forced to stand up to use my computer when connected with Kinect... Hopefully this issue would be fixed, because right now to play a racing game on the Xbox360 with Kinect, you have to stand up for the entire race, otherwise with wont notice you. I also do not like the idea flicking my hands hands in the air to change pages or close programs. To me, the concept seems rather annoying knowing that a I have a keyboard and mouse only inches away from my hands. Just makes it easier to just use what we have now to manage, for those of us who still use desktops. I suppose I am old fashioned in this sense. Maybe Kinect will be optimized for desltops... But right now, as it is... I do not think so. I really don't know.
Connect with MaximumPC
Featured Content
The gang discusses the GTX 690, Trinity, Ivy Bridge, Amazon, big-box stores, MMOs,...
This month's issue
Feature
Build a PC On Any Budget
Feature
Cloud Services Showdown
How-To
Encrypt Your External Drive
Build It
Upgrade an X58 Rig
Most Commented Articles
Latest Max PC Tweets
- maximumpc: Original RickRoll Video Returns to YouTube After 24-Hour Copyright Hiatus http://t.co/MaH9Sxyy1 day 21 hours ago
- maximumpc: Corsair has decided not to go forward with its $78 million IPO, citing weak equity market conditions http://t.co/A5a4DAzj1 day 21 hours ago
- maximumpc: Want to work at Maximum PC? Our Online Managing Editor, Alex, is moving away, so we need a new one. http://t.co/9Z7JCh0E3 days 19 hours ago
