Tuesday, February 22nd 2011
Kinect for Windows, Gesture-recognizing UI Around the Corner
After Microsoft's evolved game controller the Kinect for Xbox 360 came to the fore, speculation among tech circles saw a future for the device in the PC platform right away, beyond being just a game controller. It looks like Redmond is taking steps in that direction, with the groundwork for Kinect's arrival on the Windows PC platform underway. Microsoft will release the Kinect for Windows software development kit (SDK) this spring, so developers can start work on it right away. This could include giving Games for Windows applications Kinect support which they enjoy on the Xbox 360 platform.
The possibilities are endless for non-game applications to make use of Kinect as a gesture-recognizing, and face-recognizing device. Gesture recognition UI and face-recognition are pitched to be some of the defining features of Microsoft's next version of Windows. Kinect for Windows SDK will be released on a non-commercial basis. "The hope is that the SDK will unleash a wave of creativity to add to the already exciting developments we've seen on top of Kinect. The SDK will provide access to Kinect's sensor as well audio and system API's," the company commented.
Source:
Next at Microsoft (Technet Blog)
The possibilities are endless for non-game applications to make use of Kinect as a gesture-recognizing, and face-recognizing device. Gesture recognition UI and face-recognition are pitched to be some of the defining features of Microsoft's next version of Windows. Kinect for Windows SDK will be released on a non-commercial basis. "The hope is that the SDK will unleash a wave of creativity to add to the already exciting developments we've seen on top of Kinect. The SDK will provide access to Kinect's sensor as well audio and system API's," the company commented.
38 Comments on Kinect for Windows, Gesture-recognizing UI Around the Corner
It could possibly put many things in reach of those, that cannot afford to spend huge amounts of money on specialised equipment as they may be required to do now.. and maybe have some fun in the process too ;)
I mean MAYBE if it can detect millmeter sized movements and interpret them correctly AND I don't have to have my entire arm up, IDK, I might think about it in that case. But even then, I doubt the software is going to be either perfect or that precise.
from what i've heard, windows next will incorporate this as default, so laptops will have kinect compatible webcams for facial login, movement/voice based controls, etc. voice controls is a ton easier with a standardized mic.