One year ago this week, Xbox 360 set out to change the way we interact with games and entertainment with the launch of Kinect (see our review here). Controller-free games and entertainment ““ once the stuff of science fiction (think Minority Report) ““ had become a reality through the magic of Kinect. Sales immediately soared with more than 10 million Kinect sensors sold, setting the Guinness World Record as the fastest-selling consumer electronics device in 60 days along the way.
Kinect opened up Xbox to a broad set of new audiences bringing new categories of entertainment to the platform. People were inspired, but wanted to use this interface for their computers as well. Six months ago, a diverse group of hobbyists and academics from around the world embraced the possibilities of Kinect. They downloaded the Microsoft Kinect for Windows SDK and began developing creative applications and innovative uses in healthcare, education, art etc. Microsoft has recognized this phenomenon as “œThe Kinect Effect.“
Go take a look at some of Microsoft’s vision of the Kinect Effect – “Even though the world keeps asking us what we will do with Kinect next – we are just as excited to ask the world the same thing”.
Marking the 4th of November anniversary of Kinect, Xbox 360 today announced that the Kinect for Windows commercial program will be launched early next year. The commercial program will give businesses the tools to develop applications that not only could improve their own operations, but potentially rethink the way businesses use interfaces. To date, more than 200 businesses worldwide“”including Toyota, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Razorfish“” have joined a Kinect for Windows pilot program to begin exploring the possibilities of Kinect.
Prepare to see some really creative implementations now that the Kinect is now longer tied to the Xbox…
