GSMArena.com GSMArena.com

Tip us

2.0m
150k
RSS

EV

Merch

Log in

Login

I forgot my password
Sign up
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Videos
  • Featured
  • Phone Finder
  • Deals
  • MerchNew
  • Coverage
  • Contact
ADVERTISEMENT

Microsoft permanently discontinues Kinect

  • Post your comment
  • Comments (35)

Prasad 25 October 2017

Microsoft Gaming

Microsoft has ended the production of Kinect and permanently discontinued the device, according to a report by Fast Company.

The Microsoft Kinect was first introduced back in 2009 at E3 under the codename ‘Project Natal’ and was launched next year after it was officially given the name Kinect at E3 2010. Unlike the motion tracking systems of that time, which included the Wii and PlayStation Move controllers, the Kinect did not require any device in the users' hands and would track the entire person using multiple cameras and sensors. This allowed for a more elaborate motion tracking experience as your entire body’s movement could be tracked, something the competition simply could not do.

The Kinect went on to become the fastest selling consumer device in history, something it holds a Guinness World Record for. However, the demand eventually tapered off as not a lot of content was being developed for it.

When Microsoft launched the Xbox One, it also launched an updated version of the Kinect alongside it and to make sure this time the developers made content for it, it was bundled along with every Xbox One console. However, this resulted in high price of the overall bundle, which meant while Sony was selling PS4s hand over fist, Microsoft was struggling to get the Xbox One off the shelves.

This resulted in Microsoft eventually unbundling the Kinect from the Xbox One and reducing the price of the console. For all intents and purposes, this was the death knell for Kinect and today’s announcement just put the final nail in the coffin that was made three years ago.

While Kinect may be dead, Microsoft eventually moved on to other motion tracking projects, such as HoloLens and the recent Windows Mixed Reality. Meanwhile, PrimeSense, the company behind the sensors in the original Kinect, was acquired by Apple and is likely responsible for the FaceID camera system on the iPhone X. So in some ways, Kinect continues to live with us in spirit.

Source

Related articles
  • The TrueDepth camera of the iPhone X works like the Xbox Kinect The TrueDepth camera of the iPhone X works like the Xbox Kinect
  • Xbox One X pre-orders are fastest selling ever for a Microsoft console Xbox One X pre-orders are fastest selling ever for a Microsoft console
  • Microsoft unveils Xbox One X, arriving in November for $499 Microsoft unveils Xbox One X, arriving in November for $499

Reader comments

m
  • mark
  • PMa
  • 30 Oct 2017

and yea this is what people told to apple when they first introduced the fingerprint scanner and now they cant lived without it. LOL

  • Reply
m
  • mark
  • PMa
  • 30 Oct 2017

yeah and others smartphone company will soon copy face id of apple.

  • Reply
D
  • AnonD-345931
  • XQP
  • 27 Oct 2017

This tech was one of the pinnacles of human inventions. Only this and Hololens was what managed to amuse me about capabilities of the human kind. RIP Kinect. You were the last bastion of a once great tech revolution. May the days are cool and nights ...

  • Reply
  • Read all comments
  • Post your comment
Total reader comments: 35

ADVERTISEMENT

Phone finder

  • Samsung
  • Apple
  • Huawei
  • Nokia
  • Sony
  • LG
  • HTC
  • Motorola
  • Lenovo
  • Xiaomi
  • Google
  • Honor
  • Oppo
  • Realme
  • OnePlus
  • Nothing
  • vivo
  • Meizu
  • Asus
  • Alcatel
  • ZTE
  • Microsoft
  • Umidigi
  • Coolpad
  • Oscal
  • Sharp
  • Micromax
  • Infinix
  • Ulefone
  • Tecno
  • Doogee
  • Blackview
  • Cubot
  • Oukitel
  • Itel
  • TCL

All brands Rumor mill

ADVERTISEMENT

Top 10 by daily interest

  Device Daily hits  
1.Samsung Galaxy Z Fold734,219
2.OnePlus Nord 5 5G30,258
3.Infinix Hot 60 Pro+27,818
4.Samsung Galaxy A5624,690
5.Xiaomi Poco F7 5G21,967
6.Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra21,901
7.Samsung Galaxy Z Flip718,401
8.Nothing Phone (3) 5G18,054
9.vivo X200 FE 5G16,989
10.OnePlus Nord CE5 5G16,664

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

12 ways the Xiaomi YU7 outdoes the Tesla Model Y 12 ways the Xiaomi YU7 outdoes the Tesla Model Y Onvo L90 pre-sale is on, putting Li Auto on the defensiveMG unveils high-tech IM5 sedan and IM6 SUV
ADVERTISEMENT

Home News Reviews Compare Coverage Glossary FAQ RSS Youtube Instagram TikTok Facebook Twitter

© 2000-2025 GSMArena.com Mobile version Android app Tools Contact us Merch store Privacy Terms of use Change Ad Consent Do not sell my data