Kinect for Windows leers at February 1 launch date

@Studs MacKenzie

It's the same hardware. You're paying extra for the license.

@Mr Hett

It's not the same hardware.

@This Little Man Says His Name Is

Yes it is.

From their blog:

"And although Kinect for Windows is still value-priced for the technology, some will ask us why it isn’t the same price as Kinect for Xbox.

The ability to sell Kinect for Xbox 360 at its current price point is in large part subsidized by consumers buying a number of Kinect games, subscribing to Xbox LIVE, and making other transactions associated with the Xbox 360 ecosystem. In addition, the Kinect for Xbox 360 was built for and tested with the Xbox 360 console only, which is why it is not licensed for general commercial use, supported or under warranty when used on any other platform. "

"...those developers using our SDK and the Kinect for Xbox 360 hardware may continue to use these in their development activities if they wish."

"Existing non-commercial deployments using our beta SDK may continue using the beta and the Kinect for Xbox 360 hardware; to accommodate this, we are extending the beta license for three more years, to June 16, 2016."

360 Kinect works fine.

@Mr Hett
http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/kinect-for-windows-uses-a-new-kinect-camera/

It has the benefit of "newer hardware", though it is strange that the firmware that will supposedly allow the Kinect to interpret objects up close is absent from the Kinect for Xbox.

@Mr Hett
From the same blog: "Non-commercial deployments using the new runtime and SDK will require the fully tested and supported Kinect for Windows hardware and software platform, just as commercial deployments do."

This makes it sound like the new Kinect is the only proper way to use Kinect on Windows. It's too ambiguous to say that the 360 Kinect will still work with the new SDK.

@Studs MacKenzie

Again, from their blog: "Simple changes include shortening the USB cable to ensure reliability across a broad range of computers and the inclusion of a small dongle to improve coexistence with other USB peripherals. Of particular interest to developers will be the new firmware which enables the depth camera to see objects as close as 50 centimeters in front of the device without losing accuracy or precision, with graceful degradation down to 40 centimeters. “Near Mode” will enable a whole new class of “close up” applications, beyond the living room scenarios for Kinect for Xbox 360."

Same hardware, new firmware.

@Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi

Give them a year or two and they have a smaller and cheaper "Kinect Slim" for you. This version is mainly for business/industry/hobbyist and not mass market consumption.

@Odog4ever

But the whole reason Kinect is successful is because it IS a mass market device.

@sonofman
no way, can i use my collection in conjuction with my 3D tv/monitor to fully immerse myself in some 3D interactive porn.

@xiLeShadow I think this one is Windows only whereas the 360 model can still work on PCs. Not sure though.

@(Unverified)

It doesn't only work with hacks. Microsoft has an SDK for Windows so users can use Kinect on their PC's. Microsoft has been very supportive of the Kinect PC movement.

@(Unverified)

You want an Xbox that can boot to Windows 8.

So you want a PC then?

@trendscenedental
Also, sorry for the double-post, but I'd really love to see some method of hooking a single Kinect up to both an Xbox AND a PC. I have one monitor that I use for all my hardcore gaming, and it would be awesome if I didn't have to constantly switch the Kinect between the two. Not that I expect to use Kinect for any hardcore gaming on EITHER platform, but hey, a guy can dream, right?