Kinect

Gaming
February 11, 2013
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Rumor
Microsoft Xbox 720 Specs

Next-gen Xbox may feature advanced multitasking and require Kinect to function

By on February 11, 2013 at 6:27 PM.

Next-gen Xbox may feature advanced multitasking and require Kinect to function

Rumors have been circulating about Microsoft’s (MSFT) next-generation Xbox for quite some time now. Earlier reports suggested that the console may require an always-on Internet connection that could block used games and others claimed it could even include Siri-like voice controls. According to a new report from Kotaku, the Xbox 720 will be capable of running multiple games and services at once by allowing users to “suspend” their current game and switch to a second one without losing their place in the first one. More →

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mobile
January 24, 2013
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PrimeSense Capri Kinect Smartphones

Brains behind Microsoft’s Kinect will soon bring similar tech to smartphones

By on January 24, 2013 at 1:55 PM.

Brains behind Microsoft’s Kinect will soon bring similar tech to smartphones

PrimeSense, the company behind one of the most exciting advancements in video game technology over the past decade, is setting its sights on the rest of the world. The Israel-based company develops sensor technology that is used most famously in Microsoft’s (MSFT) Kinect motion controller, and now PrimeSense has announced a new sensor dubbed “Capri” that is one-tenth the size of its earlier product. As Co.Design reports, the new chipset is small enough to fit in smartphones, tablets and a number of other devices, opening up a wide new range of possibilities. A concept video released recently by PrimeSense follows below. More →

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Gaming
September 19, 2012
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Hacker improves Kinect accuracy with Minority Report-inspired ‘power glove’ [video]

By on September 19, 2012 at 7:30 PM.

Hacker improves Kinect accuracy with Minority Report-inspired ‘power glove’ [video]

Kinect Power Glove Hack

Anyone who has ever used Kinect to control an Xbox 360′s dashboard knows that it can get tiring thanks to all the air swiping involved. Hacker extraordinaire Ben Heck took on the challenge of creating a Minority Report inspired ”power glove” made from an accelerometer, gyroscope and Arduino controller to make gesture controls even more precise. With the leather glove on, button presses can be replaced with a finger pressing the palm. Various finger presses and twists can also be used to control the dashboard UI and video playback. “I wanted a glove to make the Xbox Kinect work the way we thought it would when it was announced,” Heck told Wired. Heck’s video describing how he made the power glove and how it works follows below, and it might make some readers wish this was the tech Microsoft (MSFT) introduced with the Kinect.

More →

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Cars
June 26, 2012
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Microsoft Connected Car team plans to integrate Windows 8 and Kinect into vehicles

By on June 26, 2012 at 3:25 PM.

Microsoft Connected Car team plans to integrate Windows 8 and Kinect into vehicles

Microsoft Windows 8 Kinect Car integration

Microsoft’s Connected Car team, which is responsible for the technology used in systems such as Ford Sync, may be looking to further integrate the company’s solutions into future vehicles. According to a recent job listing on Microsoft’s website, the software giant is looking to integrate Windows 8, Windows Phone devices, Kinect, Windows Live, Bing, the Azure cloud platform and TellMe voice recognition technology into the next-generation of Connected Cars. More →

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Business
June 12, 2012
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Microsoft could use Kinect to deliver emotion-based advertising

By on June 12, 2012 at 1:30 PM.

Microsoft could use Kinect to deliver emotion-based advertising

Microsoft Xbox Kinect Targeted Advertising

Microsoft recently filed a patent application for technology that would give its Xbox 360 Kinect sensor the ability to read users’ facial expressions and body language, thus enabling Microsoft to send them ads based on their emotional states. Jacob Aron at New Scientist writes that the technology in the patent application “suggests a company could choose which emotions would match to its adverts.” For example, Aron speculates that people who are generally happy might get fewer advertisements for weight-loss programs and more advertisements for new gadgets, while sad people might get fewer advertisements for local night clubs and confused people may get ads from “a technical support firm to help them out.” It will be interesting, to say the least, to see how people react to their own Xbox telling them that they’re depressed, stupid or overweight. More →

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Gaming
June 4, 2012
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Microsoft unveils SmartGlass, Xbox Music and new Kinect features

By on June 4, 2012 at 2:30 PM.

Microsoft unveils SmartGlass, Xbox Music and new Kinect features

Microsoft E3 2012 Xbox Music SmartGlass

Microsoft on Monday revealed that its Xbox 360 gaming console is now the world’s top selling console, beating out the Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii, during its keynote at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles. Despite the fact that the software giant has no plans to introduce the next-generation Xbox until next year at the earliest, Microsoft’s Don Mattrick said “There never has been a better time to own an Xbox.” Read on for more. More →

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Gaming
May 30, 2012
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Microsoft sells over 67 million Xbox 360s, 19 million Kinects

By on May 30, 2012 at 8:12 PM.

Microsoft sells over 67 million Xbox 360s, 19 million Kinects

Microsoft Xbox 360, Kinect sales

Yusuf Mehdi, the CMO of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Division, announced on Tuesday that more than 67 million Xbox 360s have been sold since the console launched in 2005, and it has generated more than $56 billion in sales. The motion sensing input accessory, Kinect, has sold more than 19 million units and the company’s Xbox Live service now boast 40 million members. Xbox users are spending more time on the system and are averaging 84 hours of usage each month. Mehdi also revealed that Microsoft holds a 47% market share of the current-generation console market, however he did note that sales, while continuing to increase year-over-year, are slowing down. More →

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science
May 18, 2012
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Microsoft Kinect transformed into surgical assistant

By on May 18, 2012 at 1:20 PM.

Microsoft Kinect transformed into surgical assistant

Microsoft Kinect Surgery

Microsoft’s Kinect motion and voice-based controller accessory was launched with gaming in mind, but researchers have taken the technology in a number of different directions. German researchers transformed the Kinect into an interactive augmented reality X-ray machine, and Microsoft Research is now in the process of trialing the use of its Kinect sensor as a surgical assistant. More →

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Gaming
May 7, 2012
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Microsoft launches $99 Xbox 360 bundle

By on May 7, 2012 at 2:10 PM.

Microsoft launches $99 Xbox 360 bundle

Microsoft officially offering Xbox 360 bundle for $99 and monthly subscription

As previously rumored, Microsoft is now offering a subsidized 4GB Xbox 360 gaming console and Kinect for $99 with a monthly subscription option. The bundle requires customers to sign up for a two-year subscription to Xbox Live Gold Membership for $14.99 per month. The subscription plan is similar to the model wireless carriers have been using for years. If a customer is to break off the agreement prior to end of the 24-month contract period, early termination fees will apply. The deal is only available at Microsoft Stores for the time being. A chart from Microsoft outlining applicable early termination fees follows below. More →

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Gaming
May 2, 2012
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Microsoft may be readying a subscription-based $99 Xbox 360 and Kinect bundle

By on May 2, 2012 at 2:25 PM.

Microsoft may be readying a subscription-based $99 Xbox 360 and Kinect bundle

Microsoft may announce a $99 Xbox 360, Kinect bundle

Microsoft is reportedly planning to launch a subsidized Xbox 360 and Kinect bundle with a monthly subscription option, according to The Verge. The software giant may offer its 4GB gaming console alongside its motion sensing input device for $99 with a two-year commitment, and an early termination fee will be included for contract breakers. Subscribers will then pay a monthly $15 fee that includes access to Xbox Live Gold, a two-year warranty and possibly additional streaming content as well. Microsoft will apparently position the package to compete against the Apple TV, Roku streaming box and PlayStation 3. The Verge reports that we could see an announcement as early as next week. More →

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Gaming
April 11, 2012
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Microsoft reportedly plans to bring Kinect to Windows Phone 8

By on April 11, 2012 at 2:00 PM.

Microsoft reportedly plans to bring Kinect to Windows Phone 8

Microsoft’s motion- and voice-based Kinect controller for the Xbox 360 video game console and Windows PCs is coming to Windows Phone 8, VR-Zone reported this week. The software giant is currently working on integrating the Kinect Natural User Interface with its upcoming mobile platform refresh. Microsoft is reportedly dedicating a number of resources to the project and hoping to have it available by the first or second update to its Windos Phone 8 operating system. The biggest developmental challenge thus far has apparently been the lack of room for Kinect cameras on smartphones. “Kinect has three cameras, one of which his infrared. We can’t put an IR camera on a smartphone, and without it, NUI won’t work in dark,” VR-Zone’s unnamed source claimed. Microsoft is said to be integrating Kinect technology to further entice consumers to adopt the Windows Phone platform. More →

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Software
March 30, 2012
by

Flutter app brings Kinect-like gesture controls to iTunes, Spotify [video]

By on March 30, 2012 at 5:35 PM.

Flutter app brings Kinect-like gesture controls to iTunes, Spotify [video]

Microsoft’s wildly popular Kinect controller for the Xbox 360 brought motion-based controls to the masses when it launched in late 2010. While similar technology will be built into a variety of consumer electronics moving forward — especially HDTVs — Mac users now have access to a free app that will add gesture controls to their current OS X computers. Currently compatible with just two programs, iTunes and Spotify, the Flutter app for Mac allows users to control music and video playback by making hand gestures that are recorded and relayed by the PC’s built-in iSight camera. The app is an early alpha build, yet we found that it performs as described and it worked well even from a few feet away. Flutter is not yet available in the Mac App Store, but it can be downloaded for free directly from the company’s website. A video showcasing the app follows below. More →

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Business
February 10, 2012
by

Video game sales plummet in January, Xbox leads consoles for sixth straight month

By on February 10, 2012 at 4:40 PM.

Video game sales plummet in January, Xbox leads consoles for sixth straight month

Sales of video game hardware and software in the United States plummeted last month according to new data from market research firm The NPD Group. The firm’s January figures suggest that sales of video game hardware fell 38% to $199.5 million, down from $324 million in January 2011. Video game software sales slid 38% as well in January, falling to $355.9 million, and sales of accessories in the U.S. dropped 18% year-on-year to $195.2 million. Total industry sales were down 34% to $750.6 million. “January retail performance experienced steep declines with a lack of software launches, and poor Hardware and Accessory performance partly related to bad comps from Kinect-related success in Jan’11,” NPD analyst Liam Callahan said in a statement. “Outside of new physical retail sales, we estimate that the consumer spend on other ways to acquire content including used games, full game and add-on content downloads, social network games, mobile games, rentals and subscriptions accounted for an additional $350 – $400 million in sales.” Callahan noted that Microsoft’s Xbox 360 was the best-selling console for the sixth consecutive month in January, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 was the top-selling software title. A complete list of NPD’s top-10 games for the month follows below. More →

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