Microsoft shoots down Kinect improvement rumors

by Ben Gilbert on Dec 23rd 2010 12:00PM

We couldn't have been more excited at the though of Kinect recognizing even more of our moving parts, but it appears that rumors of a Kinect update said to improve the camera's resolution and observatory fidelity were incorrect. "We're constantly working to expand and improve on experiences for Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE" an Xbox rep told CVG. "However, this rumour is completely unsubstantiated."

So, while Microsoft will (of course) continue supporting the peripheral in many ways, an update that would specifically improve the accuracy of Kinect's sensor doesn't appear to be in the cards. We'll have to keep looking to unofficial hacks for new Kinect functionality -- at least for now.

Source: CVG

Tags: firmware, kinect, microsoft, update, xbox

Reader Comments (36)

Kinda knew that already. You cant improve on a hardware to the extent the rumors were claiming, without a full product recall and a reissue.

No no, its cool guys, we'll just continue to support a product thats not at its full potential. This way, Kinect 2 can use the same hardware, but still be an improvement.

@jph89

don't see why not if it does everything it needs to in the realm of gaming. Heck, considering they released it this late into the product cycle of the 360 I'd be surprised if they didn't keep the 640x480 input as a feature to improve recognition on their next-gen console. The 360 probably doesn't have the processing power to keep response times low enough w/ that resolution anyway -- people seem to forget that they took out the processing chip from the kinect HW, which means that bleeding-edge HW could speed things up immensely but also that aging hardware will bog it down.

@Muu

I though MS said that the Kinect was launched at the "mid-life cycle" of the 360? Doesnt that mean the 360 still has at least 4 more years before the next generation? We will probably not even hear about the next gen consoles until E3 2012, with a launch in the holidays of 2013, and that'll probably be Nintendo first.

@jph89

MS said something along the lines of the 360 lasting 10 years.

@This Little Man Says His Name Is

exactly, so even if they "PS2" it, and make a new console and still sell 360 games, thats still about 3 years away.

Translation: There will be an update but it will be the Kinect 2000 not a free downloadable update.

@Hoops

Yeah, because Microsoft is known for not releasing free updates to their software/hardware.

:rolls eyes:

@Captain Planet Planeteer Power Not when they know the xbox faithful will complain first and then open their wallets anyways.

@The angry pro consumer gaming ga
Just like those expensive Party chat and dashboard upgrades?

@Hoops
Kinect 180!

microsoft:
we will keep releasing crap mini-games and that is what we consider constantly working to expand and improve on experiences for Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE rather than actually releasing an update to improve the device so that better games can be made for it.

as someone who owns a kinect but doesn't have the know how / desire to do my own modifications, it is frustrating that microsoft can't take what the mod community is doing and apply it to improving kinect. at least that is what i gathered from their generic statement above.

@chex

Serious? I could give a shit less about Kinect, but honestly the thing i barely a month old. Relax.

@Captain Planet Planeteer Power

*Couldn't

@(Unverified)

its captain planet, he could.

@chex It hasnt been out long enough for any of that to come out yet. Just wait a bit longer. Its not even 2 months old yet.

:'(

I think if they can update Kinect they wouldn't go parading about and telling people.

They could wait for a new console to provide an update, one that's more capable of handling the power of Kinect.

I don't see why they'd be looking to update it already when it's done so well and only been out like a month. There's plenty of time...

Knee-jerk cynicism is easier than Ke$ha but has anyone ever thought there could be very practical rea... oh nevermind. I'll grab the pitchforks while you burn the barns.

Really, they should've just ignored the rumor for awhile. I'm sure in the long run it was better to get out in front of it, rather than disappoint folks down the line, but releasing a response now is just giving relatively negative press in what has been a huge good press hay day leading up to years end. The timing is off, is what I mean - not that they should have been deceptive.

Honestly, I think microsoft is lying. My dad who works with the kinect, when asked about this, said "Isn't it already at 640x480?" He won't tell me anything more, but I wouldn't be surprised if we see an update in the following months.

sad to these that the hacks are literally 4 yrs ahead of MS kinect development/release..

@Tradio

I actually think Microsoft is ahead of what hackers/modders are doing, they just haven't released any information about it. Similar to the whole idea that the US government and military is 5 years ahead in technology than the general public.

@dudes113 Troll or Dumb, you decide!

@Tradio I dont think hacks are ahead if any thing, they are running it on better hardware, that's it.

@dudes113 No they're not, the military was still using windows NT 4.0 in 2006

@ThanatosXSR

Well lets be realistic here, with their near-limitless resources its not crazy to think Microsoft has developed some crazy use of the Kinect or implemented it in some way no one has thought of yet. I'm sure they're already throwing the kinect hardware into lap tops and monitors for computer use. I know Microsoft isn't popular around these parts, but they deserve some credit here.

@Tradio I'm surprised you're being down voted. This is completely logical. They have had the tech for around 2 years according to the interview with one of the creators on Major Nelson's podcast. The hackers are doing cool stuff. Wouldnt it be likely that the people who have total access to the product and designed it without the need to hack and create drivers would have more impressive stuff or the same stuff done already? This seems very similar to people saying Gears of War maxed out the 360 and we'll never see anything better.

"unsubstantiated" does not mean it is untrue. It just means that they will not confirm it at this time. They could be working on it and just don't want to to tell anyone until they know they can do it.

who, cares wheres all the other games (the more hardcore ones) that are supposed to be out for Kinect! I havent seen nearly anything for other-than-launch titles. Seriously, no screens, no trailers, no stories ever since the big unveil at whatever show that was.

@bshido that's the trick, it never was about games...

Microsoft will probably want to sell the software upgrade pack for 1600 Points.

Ok, here's the deal as I see it: this is them saying there is nothing currently WRONG with Kinect.

BUT we know that they altered the specs of Kinect about a year ago to make it more of its functionality reliant on software than hardware. The idea at the time was that it would be easier to update that way. As a software company, that makes a ton of sense for MS to do. http://kotaku.com/5442458/report-microsoft-drops-natal-chip

So, long story short, this 'denial' only refers to THAT particular rumor. They could update this and a bunch of other things at a later time and include the update on game discs that require it for those that don't have XBL.

The kinect sucks and is gonna keep sucking

Hasn't Microsoft shot down every rumor of every update ever? Only to have said shot down update to come out anyway?

Guess it's up to the PC community to show this thing who is boss.

Which is to say, hopefully someone/some people takes it upon themselves to mess around with the firmware and truly hack the kinect to unlock this type of capability.

Microsoft shoots down Kinect improvement rumors

Reader Comments (36)

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 12:03PM Billlop said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 12:07PM jph89 said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 12:30PM Muu said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 12:44PM jph89 said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 7:27PM This Little Man Says His Name Is said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 10:22PM jph89 said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 12:09PM Hoops said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 12:19PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 12:31PM The angry pro consumer gaming ga said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 2:43PM Vault Boy said

Posted: Dec 24th 2010 8:57AM The Only Girl said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 12:10PM chex said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 12:21PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 1:02PM Carl1412 said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 2:46PM PedoJokerBear said

Posted: Dec 24th 2010 12:41AM AFATALERR0R said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 12:17PM Urmomlikesme said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 12:42PM Kal El said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 12:56PM RickGhastly said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 1:02PM swooded said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 1:05PM dudes113 said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 1:15PM Tradio said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 1:18PM dudes113 said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 1:42PM ThanatosXSR said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 2:36PM mmmfishtacos said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 4:00PM Synner said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 4:36PM dudes113 said

Posted: Dec 24th 2010 12:46AM AFATALERR0R said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 1:24PM Batsu336 said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 2:04PM bshido said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 2:43PM golobulus said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 2:29PM FredMC said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 2:36PM Darth Tigris said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 3:05PM Ibullynerds said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 3:37PM Robborboy said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2010 4:25PM Draugdraugr said

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