Archive notice: This article was originally published on November 23, 2011. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Adapted
For this purpose, Kinect is intended to meet desktop requirements specifically. According to Microsoft, a shorter cable and an adapted housing shape are among the features. New firmware is intended to allow the camera system for Windows to cope with objects, such as faces, at a short distance too. Kinect for the xbox 360 is optimized for a distance of 1.80 meters; with the Windows version, the distance will be reduced to 50 cm.
In addition, Windows Kinect is intended to get a smaller USB plug and be included in the Microsoft support network. In addition, a paid Kinect SDK is intended to be released for companies, with which their own applications for further possible uses of Kinect can be programmed.
Start-up competition
To develop further Kinect applications, Microsoft has launched a competition and is looking for ten start-ups with Kinect projects, which they will then bring to Seattle. With the "Kinect Accelerator" support program, the company wants to offer developer teams an opportunity; the selected teams are intended to receive an Xbox Development Kit worth 20,000 US dollars, the Windows SDK, workspaces, training, technical support and finally a meeting with potential investors. The application deadline is January 25, 2012.
