Microsoft to Turn Kinect into Set-Top Box with Kinect HD

Microsoft is reportedly gearing up to expand the use of its Kinect sensor by including it inside a set-top box capable of delivering multimedia content streaming capabilities.

Supposedly called Kinect HD, the set-top box would be included in Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE TV plans and might emerge on shelves in 2012.

The device was mentioned under the names of “Live Xbox” and “Kinect Box” too, and was said to resemble the existing Kinect, while being large enough to accommodate power, HDMI and USB ports.

Initially expected to arrive in early 2012, the set-top box was pushed back, but should hit the market before the next-generation Xbox console arrives.

Apparently, Microsoft still has some work to do on Kinect media box’s connectivity. Rumor has it that it might support coax or optical output. WiFi is to be expected too, though it remains to be seen whether it will also offer wired connectivity.

The features list of this device would include support for voice and gesture commands, powered by the same Kinect tracking technology available in today’s sensors.

It is also possible that Microsoft will have it connected to Windows Phone devices through the recently launched Xbox Companion app. One thing that is yet to be seen is whether it will offer support for existing Xbox 360 gamepads.

Rumor has it that Microsoft might include some sort of a remote controller into the mix, for those who do not own a Windows Phone device. The recently rumored Xbox LIVE support for Android and iOS could be one solution that the company is considering.

One other interesting piece of information concerns the price tag this device could sport. The Kinect HD set-top box should be priced below the $200 mark (156 Euros).

Gaming won’t be one of the main utilities of this device. While it will offer support for casual games, it won’t accommodate large, complex games such as those designed for Xbox 360. The next-gen console will arrive on shelves specifically for that.