As an unintended score the current Kinect could connect to PCs, the next-gen Kinect however, will not. Instead Microsoft will release a separate Kinect for Windows.
Kinect for Xbox 360 currently has a proprietary connector, but still comes with an adapter allowing it to be plugged into a USB port, which PCs have many of. As a PC gamer I cannot imagine any reason whatsoever why you’d want to do that, but hey, whatever floats your boat. Apparently this happens often enough that Microsoft has decided to make two separate versions of the new Kinect.
“The Kinect for Xbox One sensor will not have an adapter that allows it to plug into a computer,” a Microsoft spokesperson told Ars Technica in an e-mail. Instead, “the new generation Kinect for Windows sensor will connect to computers using a standard USB3 port.
The new generation Kinect for Windows sensor will be a fully tested, licensed, and supported Kinect experience on Windows,” the spokesperson told Ars. “Kinect for Xbox One is being built for and tested with the Xbox One.”
I’m not sure that any one would actually purchase a Kinect especially for Windows, the fact that Xbox 360 owners figured out t use their Kinect on their PCs was just a coincidence, a bonus. Like me using the PS3 Eye Camera on my PC for Skype calls. This doesn’t mean I would actually go out and buy a next-gen PS4 Eye Camera to use in the future. But that’s just me.
People who are interested in using the hardware on their PCs won’t be able to use it even if they did get the Xbox One at launch. They will be required to sign up for Microsoft’s Microsoft’s pre-release Kinect for Windows developer program, which will put you $399 back to use the Kinect for Windows at that time.
Last Updated: June 28, 2013
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
June 28, 2013 at 13:36
Urm how about no. I am not waving my hands around like a maniac to control my PC thank you very much.
RinceWind
June 28, 2013 at 13:46
But dude, it’s NEXT GEN FUN!
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
June 28, 2013 at 13:47
In the words of OVG (if somewhat fewer)
http://static.businessinsider.com/image/51963a396bb3f77b52000004/image.jpg
Vampyre Squirrel
June 28, 2013 at 13:48
But why not!?!?!?
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
June 28, 2013 at 13:48
Because I can’t wave my arms around like I just don’t care…
HvR
June 28, 2013 at 13:53
Let me hear you say Oh-je-her!
Vampyre Squirrel
June 28, 2013 at 13:57
Spoil sport! I get the feeling it would be an awesomely funny youtube vid…
RinceWind
June 28, 2013 at 13:49
Haha! Very much fewer 🙂
HvR
June 28, 2013 at 13:48
” not waving my hands around like a maniac to control my PC” then do not upgrade to windows 8, lot of waving of hands not a lot of control though.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
June 28, 2013 at 13:49
hahaha
RinceWind
June 28, 2013 at 13:49
So kinect 1.0?
HvR
June 28, 2013 at 13:50
Well I also end talking/swearing/shouting at it but with the same result.
Argentil
June 28, 2013 at 13:49
Windows 8.4 update, now with mandatory Kinect and touchscreen. Go buy a surface and a Kinect right now.
Vampyre Squirrel
June 28, 2013 at 13:57
Microsoft knows what mandatory is?
John Ambitious
June 28, 2013 at 14:16
I must agree, but I’d totally pick this…
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
June 28, 2013 at 14:33
That is kinda awesome 🙂
nicksimp101
June 28, 2013 at 14:44
Wow, I think that is the first time I have been the 2nd viewer on a youtube video!
Tbone187
June 28, 2013 at 13:41
Not a bad idea for pc I reckon…
Mark Treloar
June 28, 2013 at 13:44
The previous version was also released for Windows but never gained popularity, because Kinect and they didn’t release any software for Windows to actually utilize it. Personally if I did get a motion controller for windows it would be leap motions device.
Argentil
June 28, 2013 at 13:44
I know of a few individuals who did some motion-capping with PC+Kinect.
It just feels like MS are limiting people by creating two seperate versions of Kinect 2.0.
CaptainNemo42
June 28, 2013 at 13:44
R50 says some bloke will come up with a mod to connect the Windows Kinect to a PS4.
Argentil
June 28, 2013 at 13:45
It’s a matter of not having a port to connect to.
Ultimo_Cleric N7
June 28, 2013 at 13:45
But does it bake?
Vampyre Squirrel
June 28, 2013 at 13:45
what’s with you and baking today?
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
June 28, 2013 at 13:46
Maybe he is baked?
Vampyre Squirrel
June 28, 2013 at 13:46
Rather baked than fried
Ultimo_Cleric N7
June 28, 2013 at 14:15
Rather fried than cooked.
ElNicko
June 28, 2013 at 14:12
mmmmmm Baked…..
Vampyre Squirrel
June 28, 2013 at 13:47
I didn’t even think of trying my kinect on my pc.
Damn… I feel deprived of random experiences again…
Trevor Davies
June 28, 2013 at 14:15
Um…why?
Guest
June 28, 2013 at 14:17
Why what? I’d love MGS to re-cover and detail the old stuff, however, I don’t want anyone BUT Kojima productions to do it. Rising was a huge disappointment to me, and I love Platinum Games. It’s not Metal Gear without Kojima Productions.
Argentil
June 28, 2013 at 14:20
Because I would love to see someone play starcraft 2 – with Kinect.
Trevor Davies
June 28, 2013 at 14:26
So you’re a sadist? 😉
Argentil
June 28, 2013 at 14:39
It would be a sight to behold!
Concerned
June 28, 2013 at 14:26
$400 for the SDK is a bargain if you look at what you’re getting! They cannot use the standard USB port on the Xbox one because it’s too slow if I understand correctly? (that and the fact that they use hamsters apparently…). Wish I had the know how to use that SDK, I think we’ll be seeing some amazing stuff coming out for the new Kinect once it’s out there!
Mike E. Delta
June 28, 2013 at 16:32
You think because you can’t come up with good reasons for the thing, there ARE none. That is completely limited and backward thinking.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 29, 2013 at 11:33
Two words, “Snowden”, “Prism”.
BacchusZA
June 29, 2013 at 11:42
Psshh, I thought we’d cured you of your liberal hippy conspiracy theory tendencies. Channel your inner Denny, young man, and step away from the cool-aid :p
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 29, 2013 at 12:34
Pffft! You knew I was a liberal hippie when you first met me! But… the cynicism of advancing age will wash off the cabbage aroma emanating from my organic homemade hemp tie-dyed shirts 😛
BacchusZA
June 29, 2013 at 11:41
The sim (flight, driving & stuff like ARMA) enthusiasts here will be familiar with the TrackIR, which is pretty much a must-have, and works phenomenally well.
The only problem is the price, as it’s going for around R2-3k right now. There are free-ware alternatives which use a webcam that can also work well, but are highly dependent on the quality of the camera used & things like ambient light – results vary from unusable up to very very nearly as good as the TrackIR.
The Kinect is one of the better ones to use for the freeware headtracking apps – the EyeToy also works very well – so while it’s not exactly free, or cheap even, it’s good and a LOT cheaper than buying the TrackIR.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 29, 2013 at 12:59
What always amazes me about this sort of tech is the fact that the commercial and private versions must be chicken shit compared to what the US military must have access to.