Developed by Halfbrick, Fruit Ninja was first released for iOS devices. Within days, the application became one of the most popular titles in the App Store. The developers then created a version for Android and Windows Phone smartphones. They later revealed plans of creating a version of the game that would support Kinect on the Xbox.
Kinect for Windows SDK beta has been refreshed by Microsoft and is now available for download. The new beta includes various improvements and bug fixes, aimed at developers looking to create applications for Windows with support for Kinect, the Xbox 360 motion controller. The official statement from a Microsoft’s representative regarding this update is as follows:
Permalink: Download Kinect For Windows SDK Beta Refresh [32bit / 64bit]
Yet another overhaul to the Xbox LIVE UI is going to drop in the fall of 2011 and this time, its going to be based on the same Metro UI as seen in Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 and the upcoming Windows 8, consisting of live interactive tiles. The new UI will also include a live TV option along, an integrated Bing search and a fully Kinect controlled dashboard which would allow users to make a voice search, both systemwide and online.
Permalink: New Xbox LIVE Metro UI With Bing Integration Demo! [VIDEO]
Kinect, Microsoft’s revolutionary motion gaming sensor, has already been awarded the world’s fastest selling consumer electronics device earlier this year by Guinness World Records. The sensor sold around 133,000 units per day for a total of 8 million units in its first 60 days of its launch. Now, Microsoft is aiming to snatch yet another of these Guinness titles during the free Xbox Live Gold preview held by Xbox Live Nation this weekend between 21st to 25th April. During the preview, everyone will have access to Xbox LIVE Gold!
Permalink: How To Join Microsoft’s Xbox Guinness World Record Event [April 23rd]
Guinness World Records has officially declared Microsoft’s Kinect motion gaming controller for Xbox 360 as the Fastest-Selling Consumer Electronics Device. The revolutionary accessory sold around 133,000 units per day for a total of 8 million units in its first 60 days on sale from 4 November 2010 to 3 January 2011. These sales figures outstrip both the iPhone and the iPad for the equivalent periods after launch.
Permalink: Guinness World Records: Microsoft Kinect Is The World’s Fastest Selling Consumer Electronics Device!
Hours after Microsoft’s revolutionary Kinect went on sale, open-source drivers were written to allow the use of the Kinect on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Since then, many Kinect "hacks" have been released, which have brought about many cool uses for the Kinect that it was never intended for. In fact, Microsoft has been excited about the Kinect hacks, and is bringing the Kinect to Windows. We’ve shown you a cool puppet trick using the Kinect, and a combination of the Kinect and iPad. Here are a few videos of the Kinect being used to control robotic arms:
Permalink: Check Out These Kinect Controlled Robots!
Microsoft has posted new job openings for hardware engineers ranging from graphics to audio/video hardware for Xbox. The interesting bit from these job postings is that the team at Microsoft’s Mountain View research campus is looking for defining and delivering next generation console architectures for which the new job postings are up. It looks like Microsoft is hiring new talent for their next generation Xbox. Xbox 720 perhaps?
Permalink: Microsoft Hiring Hardware Engineers for Next Xbox ?
Microsoft has just revealed some great new features they’ll be adding to Windows Phone 7 in the upcoming updates. One of the most exciting features among them is the Xbox 360 Kinect motion sensor and Windows Phone 7 integration. A promo video has been released by Joe Belfiore, the person who oversees Windows Phone Program Management and is responsible for the design and software product definition of future WP7 smartphones, demonstrating the Kinect & Windows Phone 7 integration.
Permalink: Windows Phone 7 Integration With Kinect Motion Senor [VIDEO]
After all the Kinect hacks we’ve been posting here on iTD, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Kinect support for PCs is on the cards. The confirmation came through BBC’s show Click Online, when Ballmer told them:
Permalink: Kinect Support for Windows PC planned says Ballmer
Microsoft Studios have announced the launch of an Avatar Kinect for coming Spring. In regards to what this new add-on exactly is, the Avatar Kinect is supposed to be a feature that allows communications between players relative to a virtual home-like setting. Although one may feel that this should have been announced together with the announcement of the Xbox 360 kinect, but oh well, it was not to be. You may also argue that this is a complete PlayStation 3 Home knock-off, but then again you need to live with it; it might just turn out to be something better, who knows.
Permalink: Avatar Kinect connects in Spring (Video)
