14 DAY TRIAL // Redmond-based software giant Microsoft is getting ready for the release of its Kinect for Windows hardware in a new series of markets around the world this fall, while also preparing the launch of an updated flavor of the accompanying SDK.
Kinect for Windows resembles the Xbox sensor a lot, only that it has been designed to work at a closer range and is compatible with Windows 7 and Windows 8 computers.
Yesterday, the company announced plans to have the hardware available for purchase to users in China starting with October 8th this year, followed by the launch of Kinect for Windows in Chile, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, and Poland.
“We are very excited to make Kinect for Windows available in China so that developers and businesses there can innovate with Kinect for Windows and transform experiences through touch-free solutions,” the company notes in a blog post.
Also on October 8th, the Kinect for Windows runtime and software development kit (SDK) are set to receive an update that would add more features.
The company notes that the update is expected to provide Kinect for Windows developers and business customers with “additional power,” but promises full details on the matter at the time of the release.
For the time being, it has unveiled that the update will enable businesses to do more with Kinect for Windows, that the developer efficiency is expected to be improved following the update, and that the Windows tools and operating system support will be extended.
Here’s what Microsoft detailed on the matter:
- We’ll be adding features such as expanded sensor data access—including color camera settings and extended depth data—to continue to inspire innovative uses of the Kinect for Windows technology in new and different places.
- We continue to invest in making our platform easier and more powerful for developers. That’s why we’ll be releasing more tools and samples in October, such as a new sample that demonstrates a “best in class” UI based on the Kinect for Windows Human Interface Guidelines.
- We want to make it easy for our customers to be able to build and deploy on a variety of Windows platforms. Our October update will include support for Windows 8 desktop applications, Microsoft .NET 4.5, and Microsoft Visual Studio 2012.
Kinect for Windows was launched a bit over seven months ago in 12 markets, and will reach a total of 38 countries before the end of the year. The SDK and runtime would have seen two significant updates by year’s end as well, the company notes.
You can download the latest version of Kinect for Windows SDK from Softpedia via this link.