Microsoft Launches Kinect for Windows SDK

Microsoft on Wednesday released its Kinect for Windows 1.0 SDK, which is intended to take the Kinect sensor technology beyond entertainment and use it for things like healthcare.

At this point, the offering is focused more on businesses than consumers, but the idea is to have these companies or developers create Kinect-based products that will eventually hit the market or be used in the service industry.

The Kinect for Windows SDK is available for download now. Hardware is also shipping, but it will set you back $249; a $149 academic version is expected later this year. At this point, it's launching in 12 countries to start (United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, and the United Kingdom).

Microsoft first discussed the Kinect for Windows commercial program in November, and the program was during Steve Ballmer's recent (and last) CES keynote. Microsoft is already working with more than 200 partners, like United Health Group, Toyota, Telefonica, Mattel, American Express, and more, Ballmer said.

A beta version of Kinect for Windows was also released last year, and Microsoft today promised a variety of improvements to the program, from support for up to four Kinect sensors attached to the same computer to improve skeletal tracking.

Microsoft said it will release updates to its SDK and runtime about two to three times per year. "In fact, the team is already hard at work on the next release," said Craig Eisler, general manager of Kinect for Windows.

"Microsoft's ability to make these kinds of deep investments makes Kinect for Windows a product that companies can deploy with confidence, knowing you have our support and our ongoing commitment to make Kinect for Windows the best it can be," Eisler said.

Earlier this week, meanwhile, that it had seen what appeared to be two Asus laptops with a Kinect sensor built in, arrayed along the top of the screen.

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