According to an anonymous source at WinRumors, Microsoft may be getting ready to release an SDK (software development kit) for Kinect, the Xbox 360 motion sensor, to support Windows PCs and it may happen a lot sooner than anticipated, most likely this summer. The first beta of the official SDK could well be released in the next few months allowing third-party developers to create titles that utilize the Kinect sensor when plugged into a PC.
Microsoft is also expected to integrate Kinect support into Windows 8 or whatever the next version of windows will be called. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has already given an official statement at CES that PCs would eventually get Kinect support. According to WinRumors:
Microsoft officials are currently readying an official SDK and Kinect drivers for Windows. Microsoft is set to unveil driver support and an SDK in the coming months and will allow third-party developers to create titles that utilize the Kinect sensor when plugged into a PC. According to sources familiar with the plans, Microsoft will distribute the drivers under the “beta” tag. One source, who refused to be named, suggested that Microsoft is looking to incorporate the support into a forthcoming “Community Technical Preview” of the company’s XNA Game Studio tools. Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer, promised Kinect for PC during an interview at CES and confirmed the company would announce official support “in the right time.”
[via Engadget]
Very cool. Looks like this might replace a mouse for navigation for a desktop computer someday.
Very cool. Looks like this might replace a mouse for navigation for a desktop computer someday.