View source for Kinect

{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2013}}
{{Infobox information appliance
| name         = Kinect
| aka          = 
| logo         = Kinect logo.svg
| image        = Xbox-One-Kinect.jpg
| caption      = Kinect for [[Xbox One]]
| developer    = [[Microsoft]]
| manufacturer = 
| family       = 
| type         = [[Motion controller]]
| generation   = [[History of video game consoles (seventh generation)|Seventh]] and [[History of video game consoles (eighth generation)|eighth generation era]]s
| releasedate  = {{Plainlist|
'''Xbox 360'''
{{vgrelease|NA|November 4, 2010<ref name="releasedate">{{cite web|url=http://gizmodo.com/5563148/microsoft-xbox-360-kinect-launches-november-4|title=Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect Launches November 4|publisher=[[Gizmodo]]}}</ref>|EU|November 10, 2010<ref name="EU launch date">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/10996389|title=Kinect gets UK release date|publisher=BBC|accessdate=August 17, 2010|quote=''It will hit the shelves on 10 November, five days after the US.''}}</ref>|COL|November 14, 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caracoltv.com/noticias/cienciaytecnologia/video-197113-ya-llegaron-a-colombia-los-videojuegos-no-necesitan-controles? |title=Ya llegaron a Colombia los videojuegos que no necesitan controles|language=Spanish|trans_title=They've arrived in Colombia: controller-free video games|accessdate=November 14, 2010 |date=November 14, 2010|publisher=[[Caracol TV]]}}</ref>|AUS|November 18, 2010<ref name="Xbox Kinect Australian launch date"/>|JP|November 20, 2010<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-08-16/news/27569063_1_gaming-market-ps2-gaming-consoles|title=Microsoft to launch Kinect in Japan in November|date=September 8, 2010|accessdate=October 20, 2010|publisher=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref>}}
'''Microsoft Windows'''
{{vgrelease|NA|February 1, 2012<ref name="windowsreleasedate"/>|AUS|February 1, 2012<ref name="windowsreleasedate"/>|JP|February 1, 2012<ref name="windowsreleasedate"/>}}}}
|discontinued = '''Xbox 360'''<br/>{{Video game release|WW|April 20, 2016<ref name="360discontinuation">{{cite web|url=http://news.xbox.com/2016/04/20/xbox-360-celebrating-10-years/|title=Achievement Unlocked: 10 Years – Thank You, Xbox 360|work=Xbox Wire}}</ref>}}
| unitssold    = 24 million (as of February 12, 2013)<ref name="24-million">{{cite web |url=http://bgr.com/2013/02/12/microsoft-xbox-360-sales-2013-325481/ |title=MICROSOFT SAYS XBOX 360 SALES HAVE SURPASSED 76 MILLION UNITS, KINECT SALES TOP 24 MILLION|first=Zach |last=Epstein |publisher=BGR.com |date=February 12, 2013 |accessdate=February 15, 2013}}</ref>
| connectivity = [[Universal Serial Bus|USB 2.0]] <small>([[Universal Serial Bus#USB-A|type-A]] for original model; proprietary for Xbox 360 S)</small>
| platform     = [[Xbox 360]] <br> [[Xbox One]] <br> [[Microsoft Windows]] ([[Windows 7]] onwards)
| camera       = 640×480&nbsp;[[pixels]] @ 30&nbsp;Hz <small>(RGB camera)</small><br/>640×480 [[pixels]] @ 30&nbsp;Hz <small>(IR depth-finding camera)<ref>{{cite web|author=Microsoft |url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/microsoft.kinect.depthimageformat.aspx |title=Kinect for Windows SDK 1.6 Programming Guide |publisher=Microsoft |year=2012 |accessdate=February 16, 2013}}</ref> </small>
| predecessor  = [[Xbox Live Vision]]
| successor    = 
}}
[[File:Xbox-360-Kinect-Standalone.png|thumb|Kinect for [[Xbox 360]]. The Xbox 360 E revision has an Xbox logo to the left of the Xbox 360 branding.]]

'''Kinect''' (codenamed '''Project Natal''' during development) is a line of [[motion sensing]] [[input device]]s by [[Microsoft]] for [[Xbox 360]] and [[Xbox One]] [[video game console]]s and [[Microsoft Windows]] [[personal computer|PCs]]. Based around a [[webcam]]-style add-on [[peripheral]], it enables users to control and interact with their console/computer without the need for a [[game controller]], through a [[natural user interface]] using gestures and [[speech recognition|spoken commands]].<ref name="Natal 101">{{cite web |title="Project Natal" 101 |url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/A/4/A/A4A457B3-DF5D-4BF2-AD4E-963454BA0BCC/ProjectNatalFactSheetMay09.zip |publisher=Microsoft |date=June 1, 2009 |accessdate=June 2, 2009 |archiveurl=http://blog.seattlepi.com/digitaljoystick/archives/169993.asp |archivedate=June 1, 2009}}</ref>

The first-generation Kinect was first introduced in November 2010 in an attempt to broaden Xbox 360's audience beyond its typical gamer base.<ref name="LA Times">{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/06/microsofte3.html|title=E3: Microsoft shows off gesture control technology for Xbox 360|last=Pham|first=Alex|date=June 1, 2009|publisher=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=June 1, 2009|quote=The effort aims to attract a broader audience to Microsoft's console. Most of the 30 million Xbox 360s sold since November 2005 have been snapped up by avid young males drawn to complex shooter or adventure games such as Halo and Modern Warfare or R.P.Gs}}</ref> A version for Microsoft Windows was released on February 1, 2012.<ref name="windowsreleasedate">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/kinectforwindows/archive/2012/01/09/kinect-for-windows-commercial-program-announced.aspx |title=Starting February 1, 2012: Use the Power of Kinect for Windows to Change the World - Kinect for Windows Blog - Site Home - MSDN Blogs |publisher=Blogs.msdn.com |date=January 9, 2012 |accessdate=March 12, 2012}}</ref> A newer version, Kinect 2.0, was released with the Xbox One platform starting in 2013.<ref name=K2.0>{{cite web|last=O'Brien |first=Terrence |url=http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/21/microsofts-new-kinect-is-official/ |title=Microsoft's new Kinect is official: larger field of view, HD camera, wake with voice |work=[[Engadget]]|publisher=[[AOL]]|date=May 21, 2013 |accessdate=February 20, 2017}}</ref>

Microsoft released the first Beta of the Kinect [[software development kit]] for Windows 7 on June 16, 2011.<ref name="SDK1">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33136/Microsoft_Announces_Windows_Kinect_SDK_For_Spring_Release.php |title=News - Microsoft Announces Windows Kinect SDK For Spring Release |publisher=Gamasutra |first=Kyle |last=Orland |date=February 21, 2011 |accessdate=March 16, 2011}}</ref><ref name="SDK2">{{cite web|url=http://gadgetsteria.com/2011/02/21/microsoft-kinect-sdk-coming-in-march/ |title=Microsoft: "Kinect SDK Coming In March." |publisher=Gadgetsteria.com |date=February 21, 2011 |accessdate=March 16, 2011}}</ref><ref name="SDK3">
{{cite web |url=http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/news/features/kinectforwindowssdk-022111.aspx |title=Academics, Enthusiasts to Get Kinect SDK |first=Rob |last=Knies |date=February 21, 2011 |accessdate=March 18, 2011}}</ref> This SDK was meant to allow developers to write Kinecting apps in [[C++/CLI]], [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]], or [[Visual Basic .NET]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/16/microsoft-launches-kinect-for-windows-sdk-beta-wants-pc-users-t/ |title=Kinect for Windows SDK beta launches, wants PC users to get a move on |publisher=Engadget |date=June 16, 2011 |accessdate=October 19, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/06/microsoft-releases-kinect-for-windows-sdk.html |title=Microsoft releases Kinect for Windows SDK - latimes.com |publisher=Latimesblogs.latimes.com |date=June 16, 2011 |accessdate=October 19, 2011}}</ref>

== History ==

Kinect was first announced on June 1, 2009 at [[Electronic Entertainment Expo 2009|E3 2009]] under the code name "Project Natal".<ref name="Kinect confirmed">{{cite web |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/109/1096876p1.html |title=E3 2010: Project Natal is "Kinect" |date=June 13, 2010 |publisher=IGN |accessdate=March 18, 2011}}</ref> Three demos were shown to showcase Kinect when it was revealed at Microsoft's E3 2009 Media Briefing: ''Ricochet'', ''Paint Party'' and ''[[Milo and Kate|Milo & Kate]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/988/988356p1.html|title=E3 2009: Microsoft Press Conference Live Blog|date=June 1, 2009|publisher=IGN|accessdate=June 1, 2009}}</ref> A demo based on ''[[Burnout Paradise]]'' was also shown outside of Microsoft's media briefing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/989/989269p1.html |title=E3 2009: I've Played Natal and it Works |first=Jeremy |last=Dunham |publisher=IGN |date=June 2, 2009 |accessdate=March 18, 2011}}</ref> The skeletal mapping technology shown at E3 2009 was capable of simultaneously tracking four people,<ref name="Totilo">{{cite web |first=Stephen |last=Totilo |title=Microsoft: Project Natal Can Support Multiple Players, See Fingers |url=http://kotaku.com/5279531/ |work=Kotaku |publisher=Gawker Media |date=June 5, 2009 |accessdate=June 6, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Shane Kim VB" /><ref name="Phil Spencer ST"/><ref name="Kipman Eurogamer">{{cite web |first=Ellie |last=Gibson |title=E3: Post-Natal Discussion  |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/e3-post-natal-discussion-interview |work=Eurogamer |publisher=Eurogamer Network |pages=1–2 |date=June 5, 2009 |accessdate=June 9, 2009 |quote=Essentially we do a 3D body scan of you. We graph 48 joints in your body and then those 48 joints are tracked in real-time, at 30 frames per second. So several for your head, shoulders, elbows, hands, feet... }}</ref> with a feature extraction of 48 [[skeletal animation|skeletal]] points on a human body at 30&nbsp;Hz.<ref name="Gizmodo E3 2009">{{cite web |first=Mark |last=Wilson |first2=Matt |last2=Buchanan |title=Testing Project Natal: We Touched the Intangible |url=http://gizmodo.com/5277954/testing-project-natal-we-touched-the-intangible |work=Gizmodo |publisher=Gawker Media |date=June 3, 2009 |accessdate=June 6, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Kipman Eurogamer" />

It was rumored that the launch of Project Natal would be accompanied with the release of a new Xbox 360 console (as either a new [[Xbox 360 Retail configurations|retail configuration]],<ref name="MCV rumor">{{cite web |url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/36466/Natal-launch-details-leak-from-secret-Microsoft-tour |title=Natal launch details leak from secret Microsoft tour |first=Michael |last=French |work=MCV |publisher=Intent Media |date=November 11, 2009 |accessdate=November 11, 2009 |quote=November 2010 release, 5m units global ship, 14 games, and super-low sub-£50 price [...] Microsoft is planning to manufacture 5m units for day one release, with a mix of console and camera plus solus SKUs expected. [...] The device should cost under £100,00 when sold solo. The somewhat confirmed price is stated to be at 150$ (USD)when sold alone this is 50$ higher than the original 99$ projected price.  [...] Another even says the camera could even retail for just £30.}}</ref><ref name="Mark Rein OXM">{{cite web |first=Mike |last=Channell |title=Mark Rein Interview |url=http://www.oxm.co.uk/article.php?id=14296 |work=Xbox 360: The Official Xbox Magazine |publisher=Future Publishing |date=October 3, 2009|accessdate=October 11, 2009 |quote=And you know, I think they said they were going to ship Natal with every Xbox when they actually launch the thing, so everybody will have one. }}</ref> a significant design revision<ref name="analysts slim">{{cite web|first=James |last=Brightman |title=Xbox 360 Slim? Analysts Weigh In |url=http://www.industrygamers.com/news/xbox-360-slim-analysts-weigh-in/ |work=IndustryGamers |pages=1–2 |date=August 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 2, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091224191552/http://www.industrygamers.com/news/xbox-360-slim-analysts-weigh-in/ |archivedate=December 24, 2009 }}</ref> and/or a modest [[Xbox 360 hardware|hardware]] upgrade<ref name="new Xbox 1UP">{{cite web |first=Sam |last=Kennedy |title=Rumor: Xbox Natal is Actually Microsoft's Next Console |url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3174762 |work=1UP.com |publisher=UGO Entertainment |date=June 12, 2009 |accessdate=June 19, 2009}}</ref>). Microsoft dismissed the reports in public and repeatedly emphasized that Project Natal would be fully compatible with all Xbox 360 consoles. Microsoft indicated that the company considers it to be a significant initiative, as fundamental to Xbox brand as [[Xbox Live]],<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web |first=Dean |last=Takahashi |authorlink=Dean Takahashi |title=Microsoft games exec details how Kinect was born |url=http://venturebeat.com/2009/06/02/microsoft-games-executive-describes-origins-of-project-natal-game-controls/ |work=VentureBeat |date=June 2, 2009 |accessdate=June 6, 2009 |quote=The companies are doing a lot of great work with the cameras. But the magic is in the software. It’s a combination of partners and our own software. }}</ref> and with a launch akin to that of a new Xbox console platform.<ref name="Shane Kim GS">{{cite web |first=Kris |last=Graft |first2=Brandon |last2=Sheffield |title=Microsoft's Future Begins Now: Shane Kim Speaks |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4053/microsofts_future_begins_now_.php |work=Gamasutra |publisher=Think Services |page=3 |date=June 16, 2009|accessdate=June 20, 2009}}</ref> Kinect was even referred to as a "new Xbox" by Microsoft [[chief executive officer|CEO]] [[Steve Ballmer]] at a speech for Executives' Club of Chicago.<ref name="Ballmer 2010">{{Cite news|last=Gruener|first=Wolfgang|publication-date=2009-06-19|year=2009|title=Ballmer announces 2010 Xbox 360 at The Executive Club Chicago|periodical=TG Daily|place=Chicago|publisher=Tigervision Media|url=http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/42931/98/|accessdate=June 19, 2009|quote=I am talking about the Global Leaders luncheon with Steve Ballmer yesterday in Chicago, during which the executive announced 'a new Xbox for 2010.' [...] I triple-checked with a few friends who were sitting in the audience as well and it seemed pretty clear to them that a new Xbox is coming in 2010, after what Ballmer had said.|postscript=.}}</ref><ref name="Ballmer clarifies">{{cite web |first=Jim |last=Reilly |title=Ballmer Clarifies His 'New' Xbox 360 Comment |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/996/996584p1.html |work=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment |date=June 19, 2009 |quote=I confused the issue with my poorly chosen words. There is no news in my comments. Things are as reported after E3. Sorry.|accessdate=June 21, 2009}}</ref> When asked if the introduction will extend the time before the next-generation console platform is launched (historically about 5 years between platforms),<ref name="long tail">{{cite web|title=Generation When? |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/features/generation-when |work=Edge Online |publisher=Future plc |page=2 |date=June 18, 2009 |quote=Since the NES, every five years or so a distinct new wave of technology has washed across the industry, bringing with it new power and functions to a market galvanised by the promise of faster, better, more. |accessdate=June 22, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105104338/http://www.next-gen.biz/features/generation-when |archivedate=January 5, 2011 }}</ref> Microsoft corporate [[vice president]] Shane Kim reaffirmed that the company believes that the life cycle of Xbox 360 will last through 2015 (10 years).<ref name="Shane Kim VB" />

During Kinect's development, project team members experimentally adapted numerous games to Kinect-based control schemes to help evaluate usability. Among these games were ''[[Beautiful Katamari]]'' and ''[[Space Invaders Extreme]]'', which were demonstrated at [[Tokyo Game Show]] in September 2009.<ref name="TGS demos">{{cite web |first=Brian |last=Crecente |title=Playing Space Invaders, Katamari Damacy on Natal |url=http://kotaku.com/5367460/playing-space-invaders-katamari-damacy-on-natal |work=Kotaku |publisher=Gawker Media |date=September 25, 2009 |accessdate=September 26, 2009}}</ref> According to creative director Kudo Tsunoda, adding Kinect-based control to pre-existing games would involve significant code alterations, making it unlikely for Kinect features to be added through software updates.<ref name="Tsunoda patching">{{cite web |first=Nick |last=Chester |title=TGS 09: Patching older 360 games to work with natal not possible |url=http://www.destructoid.com/tgs-09-patching-older-360-games-to-work-with-natal-not-possible-149867.phtml |work=Destructoid |date=September 25, 2009 |accessdate=September 26, 2009}}</ref>

Although the sensor unit was originally planned to contain a microprocessor that would perform operations such as the system's skeletal mapping, it was revealed in January 2010 that the sensor would no longer feature a dedicated processor. Instead, processing would be handled by one of the [[multi-core processor|processor cores]] of Xbox 360's [[Xenon (processor)|Xenon]] CPU.<ref name="gamesindustry.biz">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/microsoft-drops-internal-natal-chip_1 | title = Microsoft drops internal Natal chip |publisher=GamesIndustry.biz |first=Phil |last=Elliott |date=January 7, 2010 |accessdate=March 18, 2011}}</ref> According to Alex Kipman, Kinect system consumes about 10-15% of Xbox 360's computing resources.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20527426.800-microsofts-bodysensing-buttonbusting-controller.html |title=Microsoft's body-sensing, button-busting controller |publisher=NewScientist |first=Colin |last=Barras |date=January 7, 2010 |accessdate=March 18, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114014544/http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20527426.800-microsofts-bodysensing-buttonbusting-controller.html |archivedate=January 14, 2012 }}</ref> However, in November, Alex Kipman made a statement that "the new motion control tech now only uses a single-digit percentage of Xbox 360's processing power, down from the previously stated 10 to 15 percent."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2010-11-02-kipman-kinect-uses-a-single-digit-percentage-of-the-360-cpu |title=Kipman: Kinect CPU use down to single-digits &#124; News |publisher=Gamesindustry.biz |first=Dan |last=Pearson|date=November 3, 2010 |accessdate=November 4, 2010}}</ref> A number of observers commented that the computational load required for Kinect makes the addition of Kinect functionality to pre-existing games through software updates even less likely, with concepts specific to Kinect more likely to be the focus for developers using the platform.<ref name="gamesindustry.biz" />
[[File:Xbox-360-E-Inputs-&-Outputs.jpg|thumb|right|The Xbox 360 S and E models have dedicated ports for the Kinect, removing the need for an external power supply.]]
On March 25, 2010, Microsoft sent out a [[save the date]] flier for an event called the "World Premiere 'Project Natal' for Xbox 360 Experience" at [[Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010|E3 2010]]. The event took place on the evening of Sunday, June 13, 2010 at [[Galen Center]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xboxpotato.com/2010/03/project-natal-e3-event/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100506180101/http://www.xboxpotato.com/2010/03/project-natal-e3-event/|archivedate=May 6, 2010|title=Microsoft Planning Special Event for Project Natal on June 13th|date=March 25, 2010|accessdate=March 25, 2010}}</ref> and featured a performance by [[Cirque du Soleil]]. It was announced that the system would officially be called Kinect, a [[portmanteau]] of the words "kinetic" and "connect", which describe key aspects of the initiative.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stepto.com/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=620 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823065927/http://stepto.com/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=620 |archivedate=August 23, 2010 |title=What’s in a name?  Everything and nothing, depending. |first=Stephen |last=Toulouse |authorlink=Stephen Toulouse |date=June 13, 2010 |work=Stepto.com |accessdate=July 2, 2010}}</ref> Microsoft also announced that the North American launch date for Kinect will be November 4, 2010.<ref>{{cite news|last=Snider |first=Mike |url=http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2010-06-14-vidgame14_ST_N.htm |title=Microsoft Kinect gets into motion as E3 confab kicks off |publisher=Usatoday.Com |date=January 4, 2010 |accessdate=June 15, 2010}}</ref> Despite previous statements dismissing speculation of a new Xbox 360 to accompany the launch of the new control system, Microsoft announced at [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] 2010 that it was introducing a redesigned Xbox 360, complete with a connector port ready for Kinect. In addition, on July 20, 2010, Microsoft announced a Kinect bundle with a redesigned Xbox 360, to be available with Kinect launch.<ref name="Euro pricing"/>

On June 16, 2011, Microsoft announced its official release of its SDK for non-commercial use.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/redmond/projects/kinectsdk/download.aspx |title=Microsoft Kinect for Windows &#124; Develop for the Kinect &#124; Kinect for Windows |publisher=Research.microsoft.com |date= |accessdate=March 12, 2012}}</ref>
On July 21, 2011, Microsoft announced that the first ever white Kinect sensor would be available as part of "Xbox 360 Limited Edition Kinect Star Wars Bundle", which also includes custom a [[Star Wars]]-themed console and controller, and copies of [[Kinect Adventures]] and [[Star Wars Kinect]].<ref name="StarWarsConsole">{{cite web|url=http://majornelson.com/2011/07/21/limited-edition-star-wars-console/|title=Xbox Live&#039;s Major Nelson » Limited Edition Star Wars Console|date=July 21, 2011|accessdate=July 22, 2011|publisher=Microsoft}}</ref> Previously, all Kinect sensors had been glossy black.

On October 31, 2011, Microsoft announced launching of the commercial version of ''Kinect for Windows program'' with release of SDK to companies. David Dennis, Product Manager at Microsoft, said, "There are hundreds of organizations we are working with to help them determine what's possible with the tech".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/1791947/panasonic-forecasts-record-55-billion-loss-disney-abc-renews-deals-with-amazoncom-and-netfli |title=Microsoft's Commercial Kinect Partners, Panasonic's Record $5.5 Billion Loss, Anonymous Threatens To Expose Mexican Cartel |publisher=Fast Company |date=October 31, 2011 |accessdate=March 12, 2012}}</ref>

On February 1, 2012, Microsoft released the commercial version of Kinect for Windows SDK and told that more than 300 companies from over 25 countries are working on Kinect-ready apps.<ref>{{cite web|last=Greene |first=Jay |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57369717-75/microsoft-debuts-kinect-for-windows-commercial-sdk/ |title=Microsoft debuts Kinect for Windows, commercial SDK &#124; Microsoft - CNET News |publisher=News.cnet.com |date=February 1, 2012 |accessdate=June 15, 2013}}</ref>

=== Launch ===
[[Image:Kinect Holiday 2010.jpg|right|thumb|A January 2010 promotional banner indicating the expected release of Kinect (then "Project Natal") by [[Christmas and holiday season|holiday]] 2010]]
The tabloid the New York Post claimed Microsoft had a $500 million budget for advertising the launch of Kinect.<ref name="500million_USD">{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/microsoft_move_3gVmAyryJuD6px1dV7LeDP?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=|title=Microsoft gears up for big launch of Kinect controller-free device for Xbox - NYPOST.com|date=October 17, 2010|accessdate=October 20, 2010|publisher=[[New York Post]] |first=Claire|last=Atkinson}}</ref> While this claim was widely re-reported,<ref>http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-to-spend-500m-on-kinect-marketing-report/1100-6282208/</ref><ref>http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/half-a-billion-dollar-marketing-19-10-2010-bill-for-microsoft-kinect-launch-19-10-2010/</ref><ref>http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2010-10-18-kinect-gets-USD500m-marketing-spend</ref> an examination of the [[10-Q]] from Microsoft reveals a 20% year-over-year increase ($85 million) for sales and marketing the quarter Kinect was launched for all of the Entertainment and Devices division, making the total sales and marketing spend $425 million for the entire division.<ref>http://apps.shareholder.com/sec/viewerContent.aspx?companyid=MSFT&docid=7675992</ref> The marketing campaign ''You Are the Controller'', aiming to reach new audiences, included advertisements on [[Kellogg's]] cereal boxes and [[Pepsi]] bottles, commercials during shows such as ''[[Dancing with the Stars]]'' and ''[[Glee (TV series)|Glee]]'' as well as print ads in various magazines such as ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' and ''[[InStyle]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2010/oct10/10-21kinectads.mspx |title=Kinect Ads: 'You Are the Controller' |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=October 21, 2010 |accessdate=January 25, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110306190044/http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2010/oct10/10-21kinectads.mspx |archivedate=March 6, 2011 }}</ref>

On October 19, Microsoft advertised Kinect on [[The Oprah Winfrey Show]] by giving free Xbox 360 consoles and Kinect sensors to the people in the audience.<ref name="kinectadvertising4">{{cite web |url=http://gizmodo.com/5668115/oprah-audience-explodes-into-hysterics-over-free-xbox-kinects |title=Oprah Audience Explodes Into Hysterics Over Free Xbox Kinects |publisher=Gizmodo |accessdate=October 20, 2010}}</ref> Two weeks later, Kinect bundles with Xbox 360 consoles were also given away to the audience of [[Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/jimmy-fallon-kinect/|title=Jimmy Fallon gives everyone in his audience a Kinect|date=November 5, 2010|accessdate=December 9, 2010|publisher=Joystiq |first=Richard|last=Mitchell}}</ref> On October 23, Microsoft held a pre-launch party for Kinect in Beverly Hills. The party was hosted by [[Ashley Tisdale]] and was attended by soccer star [[David Beckham]] and his three sons, Cruz, Brooklyn, and Romeo. Guests were treated to sessions with [[Dance Central]] and [[Kinect Adventures]], followed by Tisdale having a Kinect voice chat with [[Nick Cannon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bsckids.com/2010/10/ashley-tisdale-hosts-the-xbox-kinect-event/ |title=Ashley Tisdale Hosts The Xbox Kinect Event |publisher=Bsckids.com |date=October 26, 2010 |accessdate=November 4, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031193809/http://www.bsckids.com/2010/10/ashley-tisdale-hosts-the-xbox-kinect-event/ |archivedate=October 31, 2010 }}</ref> Between November 1 and 28, [[Burger King]] gave away a free Kinect bundle "every 15 minutes".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/104937-Greasy-Fingers-Dont-Matter-With-Kinect/ |title=Greasy Fingers Don't Matter With Kinect |first=Tom |last=Goldman |date=November 2, 2010 |accessdate=January 25, 2011 |publisher=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]}}</ref>

A major event was organized on November 3 in [[Times Square]], where singer [[Ne-Yo]] performed with hundreds of dancers in anticipation of Kinect's midnight launch.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.inquisitr.com/89380/time-square-grinds-to-a-halt-for-microsoft-kinect/ |title=Time Square grinds to a halt for Microsoft Kinect |first=Chris |last=Greenhough |publisher=Inquisitr.com |date=November 4, 2010 |accessdate=January 25, 2011}}</ref>

Kinect was launched in North America on November 4, 2010,<ref name="releasedate"/> in Europe on November 10, 2010,<ref name="EU launch date"/> in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore on November 18, 2010,<ref name="Xbox Kinect Australian launch date">{{cite web |url=http://123kinect.com/xboxkinect-release-date-australia/ |title=Xbox 360′s Kinect given release date for Australia |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 3, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Xbox Kinect Singapore launch date">{{cite web |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/technologynews/view/1085935/1/.html |title=Kinect launches Nov 18 with StarHub tie-up|first=Jotham |last=Lian|publisher=ChannelNewsAsia.com}}</ref><ref name="Xbox Kinect New Zealand launch date">{{cite web |url=http://123kinect.com/new-zealand-kinect-launch-date/ |title=New Zealand Kinect Launch Date confirmed! |date=September 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 17, 2010}}</ref> and in Japan on November 20, 2010.<ref name="Xbox Kinect Japanese launch date">{{cite web |url=http://123kinect.com/kinect-launch-japan/ |title=Xbox Kinect Japanese launch date |date=September 14, 2010 |accessdate=September 17, 2010}}</ref> Purchase options for the sensor peripheral include a bundle with the game ''[[Kinect Adventures]]'' and console bundles with either a 4&nbsp;GB<ref name="Euro pricing"/><ref name="US pricing"/><ref name="UK pricing"/> or 250&nbsp;GB<ref name="250GB bundle">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2010-09-08-GBP300-kinect-250gb-bundle-confirmed|title=£300 Kinect 250GB bundle confirmed|date=September 8, 2010|accessdate=September 8, 2010|publisher=[[Eurogamer]]|first=Robert|last=Purchese}}</ref> Xbox 360 console and ''Kinect Adventures''.<ref name="Euro pricing">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/AceyBongos/status/19004621612|title=Kinect bundled with slim 4GB Xbox 360 Arcade for $300, new console for $200 in August|first=Graeme|last=Boyd|date=July 20, 2010|archiveurl=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/kinect-bundled-with-slim-4gb-xbox-360-arcade-for-300-new-conso/|archivedate=2010-07-20|accessdate=July 20, 2010|publisher=Twitter|quote=Euro prices are 149.99 Euro for the camera + Kinect Adventures, 299.99 Euro for the 4GB console bundle.}}</ref><ref name="US pricing">{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2010/jul10/07-20KinectPackagePR.mspx |title=New Xbox 360, Kinect Sensor and "Kinect Adventures" — Get All Your Controller-Free Entertainment in One Complete Package |date=July 20, 2010 |publisher=Microsoft |location=Redmond, Washington |accessdate=July 20, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722110130/http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2010/jul10/07-20KinectPackagePR.mspx |archivedate=July 22, 2010 }}</ref><ref name="UK pricing">{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/Xbox360/Consoles/Home?xbox_360_console_bundles |title=Say Hello to the New Xbox 360 |publisher=Microsoft |accessdate=March 18, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224041334/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/Xbox360/Consoles/Home?xbox_360_console_bundles |archivedate=February 24, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="250GB bundle"/>

==Technology==
=== Kinect for Xbox 360 (2010) ===
Kinect V1 was a combination of [[Microsoft]] built software and hardware. Kinect V1 hardware included a [[range imaging|range chipset]] technology by [[Israel]]i developer [[PrimeSense]], which developed a system consisting of an [[infrared]] projector and camera and a special [[Integrated circuit|microchip]] that generates a grid from which the location of a nearby object in 3 dimensions can be ascertained.<ref>[http://www.technologyreview.com/tr50/primesense/ "MIT" The 50 most innovative companies 2011, MIT technological review]</ref><ref name="VentureBeat">{{citation|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|date=September 5, 2009|title=How many vendors does it take to make Microsoft’s Project Natal game control system?|periodical=Venture Beat|url=http://venturebeat.com/2009/09/05/how-many-vendors-does-it-take-to-make-microsofts-project-natal-game-control-system/|accessdate=January 8, 2010}}</ref><ref name="MsPress">{{Cite news|last=Press |first=MS |date=March 31, 2010 |title=PrimeSense Supplies 3-D-Sensing Technology to Project Natal for Xbox 360 |periodical=MsPress |page=MsPress |url=http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2010/mar10/03-31PrimeSensePR.mspx?rss_fdn=Press%20Releases |accessdate=March 31, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620012436/http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2010/mar10/03-31PrimeSensePR.mspx?rss_fdn=Press%20Releases |archivedate=June 20, 2010 }}</ref> This [[3D scanner]] system called ''Light Coding''<ref name="PrimeSense">{{cite web|url=http://www.primesense.com/?p=535 |title=© 2010 PrimeSense Ltd. &#124; FAQ |publisher=Primesense.com |date= |accessdate=March 16, 2011}}</ref> employs a variant of image-based 3D reconstruction.<ref>{{cite web|author=mirror2image | url=http://mirror2image.wordpress.com/2010/11/30/how-kinect-works-stereo-triangulation/ |title=How Kinect depth sensor works – stereo triangulation? |publisher=Mirror2image.wordpress.com |date=November 30, 2010 |accessdate=March 16, 2011}}</ref><ref name="Structured pattern">{{cite web|url=http://www.futurepicture.org/?p=116 |title=» Kinect Hacking 103: Looking at Kinect IR Patterns. |publisher=Futurepicture |date=November 17, 2010 |accessdate=March 16, 2011}}</ref>

The Kinect sensor<ref name="Natal 101" /> is a horizontal bar connected to a small base with a motorized pivot and is designed to be positioned lengthwise above or below the video display. The device features an "[[RGB color space|RGB]] camera, [[Structured-light 3D scanner|depth sensor]] and [[Microphone array|multi-array microphone]] running proprietary software",<ref>{{cite web | url = http://kotaku.com/5442775/natal-recognizes-31-body-parts-uses-tenth-of-xbox-360-computing-resources | title = Natal Recognizes 31 Body Parts, Uses Tenth of Xbox 360 "Computing Resources" |date=January 7, 2010|accessdate=November 25, 2010|publisher=''[[Kotaku]]'', [[Gawker Media]]|first=Stephen|last=Totilo}}</ref> which provide full-body 3D [[motion capture]], [[three-dimensional face recognition|facial recognition]] and [[Speaker recognition|voice recognition]] capabilities. At launch, voice recognition was only made available in Japan, United Kingdom, Canada and United States. Mainland Europe received the feature later in spring 2011.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://123kinect.com/europe-canada-kinect-voice-spring/ | title = Microsoft: Kinect doesn’t listen in mainland Europe till spring | date=September 1, 2010}}</ref> Currently voice recognition is supported in [[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Ireland]], [[Italy]], [[Japan]], [[Mexico]], [[New Zealand]], [[United Kingdom]] and [[United States]]. Kinect sensor's microphone array enables Xbox 360 to conduct [[acoustic source localization]] and [[active noise control|ambient noise suppression]], allowing for things such as headset-free party chat over [[Xbox Live]].<ref name="Natal 101" />

The depth sensor consists of an [[infrared]] [[laser]] projector combined with a monochrome [[Active pixel sensor|CMOS sensor]], which captures video data in 3D under any [[Available light|ambient light]] conditions.<ref name="Natal 101"/><ref name="Totilo" /> The sensing range of the depth sensor is adjustable, and Kinect software is capable of automatically calibrating the sensor based on gameplay and the player's physical environment, accommodating for the presence of furniture or other obstacles.<ref name="Gizmodo E3 2009" />

Described by Microsoft personnel as the primary innovation of Kinect,<ref name="Shane Kim VB">{{cite web |first=Dean |last=Takahashi |title=Microsoft games exec details how Project Natal was born |url=http://venturebeat.com/2009/06/02/microsoft-games-executive-describes-origins-of-project-natal-game-controls/ |work=VentureBeat |date=June 2, 2009 |accessdate=June 6, 2009 |quote=The companies are doing a lot of great work with the cameras. But the magic is in the software. It’s a combination of partners and our own software. }}</ref><ref name="Eurogamer quotes">{{cite web |first=Tom |last=Bramwell |title=E3: MS execs: Natal not derived from 3DV |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/e3-natal-not-derived-from-3dv |work=Eurogamer |publisher=Eurogamer Network |date=June 3, 2009 |accessdate=June 5, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Johnny Lee">{{cite web |first=Johnny |last=Lee |authorlink=Johnny Lee (computer scientist) |title=Project Natal |url=http://procrastineering.blogspot.com/2009/06/project-natal.html |work=Procrastineering |date=June 1, 2009 |accessdate=June 6, 2009 }}</ref> the software technology enables advanced [[gesture recognition]], facial recognition and voice recognition.<ref name="Phil Spencer ST">{{cite news |first=Brier |last=Dudley |title=E3: New info on Microsoft's Natal -- how it works, multiplayer and PC versions |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/technologybrierdudleysblog/2009296568_e3_new_info_on_microsofts_nata.html |work=Brier Dudley's Blog |publisher=The Seattle Times |date=June 3, 2009 |accessdate=June 3, 2009 |quote=We actually built a software platform that was what we wanted to have as content creators. And then [asked], 'OK, are there hardware solutions out there that plug in?' But the amount of software and the quality of software are really the innovation in Natal. }}</ref> According to information supplied to retailers, Kinect is capable of simultaneously tracking up to six people, including two active players for [[motion analysis]] with a [[feature extraction]] of 20 joints per player.<ref name="Play.com page" /> However, PrimeSense has stated that the number of people the device can "see" (but not process as players) is only limited by how many will fit in the field-of-view of the camera.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/19/kinect-how-it-works-from-the-company-behind-the-tech/|title=Kinect: The company behind the tech explains how it works|date=June 19, 2010|accessdate=March 21, 2011|publisher=Joystiq}}</ref>

[[File:Kinect2-ir-image.png|thumb|This [[Infrared|infrared image]] shows the laser grid Kinect uses to calculate depth]]
[[File:Kinect2-deepmap.png|thumb|The depth map is visualized here using color gradients from white (near) to blue (far)]]

Reverse engineering<ref name="OpenKinect">{{cite web |url=http://openkinect.org/wiki/Protocol_Documentation#Control_Commands;a=summary |title=OpenKinect Protocol Documentation}}</ref> has determined that the Kinect's various sensors output video at a [[frame rate]] of ≈9&nbsp;[[hertz|Hz]] to 30&nbsp;[[hertz|Hz]] depending on resolution. The default RGB video stream uses 8-bit VGA resolution (640&nbsp;×&nbsp;480 [[pixel]]s) with a [[Bayer filter|Bayer color filter]], but the hardware is capable of resolutions up to 1280x1024 (at a lower frame rate) and other colour formats such as [[YUV|UYVY]].  The monochrome depth sensing video stream is in VGA resolution (640&nbsp;×&nbsp;480 pixels) with [[color depth|11-bit depth]], which provides 2,048 levels of sensitivity.  The Kinect can also stream the view from its IR camera directly (i.e.: before it has been converted into a depth map) as 640x480 video, or 1280x1024 at a lower frame rate. The Kinect sensor has a practical [[ranging]] limit of {{convert|1.2|-|3.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} distance when used with the Xbox software. The area required to play Kinect is roughly 6&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>, although the sensor can maintain tracking through an extended range of approximately {{convert|0.7|-|6|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The sensor has an [[angle of view|angular field of view]] of 57[[degree (angle)|°]] horizontally and 43° vertically, while the motorized pivot is capable of [[tilt (camera)|tilting]] the sensor up to 27° either up or down. The horizontal field of the Kinect sensor at the minimum viewing distance of ≈{{convert|0.8|m|ft|abbr=on}} is therefore ≈{{convert|87|cm|in|abbr=on}}, and the vertical field is ≈{{convert|63|cm|in|abbr=on}}, resulting in a resolution of just over {{convert|1.3|mm|in|abbr=on}} per pixel. The microphone array features four microphone capsules<ref name="Microsoft store">{{cite web|url=http://store.microsoft.com/microsoft/Kinect-Sensor-for-Xbox-360/product/C737B081 |title=Kinect for Xbox 360 |work=Microsoft Store |publisher=Microsoft |accessdate=July 7, 2010 |quote=''Array of 4 microphones supporting single speaker voice recognition'' |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618035006/http://store.microsoft.com/microsoft/Kinect-Sensor-for-Xbox-360/product/C737B081 |archivedate=June 18, 2010 |df= }}</ref> and operates with each channel processing 16-[[audio bit depth|bit]] audio at a [[sampling rate]] of 16&nbsp;[[kilohertz|kHz]].<ref name="Play.com page">{{cite web |url=http://www.play.com/Games/Xbox360/4-/10296372/Project-Natal/Product.html#jump-tech |title=Play.com (UK) : Kinect : Xbox 360 - Free Delivery |publisher=Play.com  |accessdate=July 2, 2010 |quote=This information is based on specifications supplied by manufacturers and should be used for guidance only.}}</ref>

Because the Kinect sensor's motorized tilt mechanism requires more power than the Xbox 360's [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]] ports can supply,<ref name="leadedmanual">{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5520812/project-natal--its-instruction-manual-in-the-wild|title=Project Natal &amp; Its Instruction Manual(!) In The Wild|publisher=Kotaku|date=April 20, 2010|accessdate=May 27, 2010}}</ref> the device makes use of a proprietary connector combining USB communication with additional power. Redesigned [[Xbox 360 S]] models include a special AUX port for accommodating the connector,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/14/original-xbox-360-requires-separate-power-for-kinect|title=Original Xbox 360 requires separate power connection for Kinect|publisher=Joystiq|date=June 14, 2010|accessdate=June 14, 2010}}</ref> while older models require a special power supply cable (included with the sensor)<ref name="Microsoft store" /> that splits the connection into separate USB and power connections; power is supplied from the [[mains electricity|mains]] by way of an AC adapter.<ref name="leadedmanual"/>

=== Kinect for Xbox One (2.0 2013) ===
Kinect 2.0 was released with Xbox One on November 22, 2013.<ref>http://www.ign.com/wikis/xbox-one/Xbox_One_Release_Date</ref> The hardware included a [[time-of-flight]] sensor developed by Microsoft, replacing the older technology from [[PrimeSense]].<ref>http://semiaccurate.com/2013/10/15/long-look-microsofts-xbox-one-kinect-sensor/</ref>

[[Xbox One]] consoles ship with an updated version of Kinect; the new Kinect uses a wide-angle [[time-of-flight camera]], and processes 2 gigabits of data per second to read its environment. The new Kinect has greater accuracy with three times the fidelity over its predecessor and can track without visible light by using an active [[Infrared|IR]] sensor. It has a 60% wider field of vision that can detect a user up to 3 feet from the sensor, compared to six feet for the original Kinect, and can track up to 6 skeletons at once. It can also detect a player's [[heart rate]], facial expression, the position and orientation of 25 individual joints (including thumbs), the weight put on each limb, speed of player movements, and track gestures performed with a standard controller. The color camera captures 1080p video that can be displayed in the same resolution as the viewing screen, allowing for a broad range of scenarios. In addition to improving video communications and video analytics applications, this provides a stable input on which to build interactive applications. Kinect's microphone is used to provide voice commands for actions such as navigation, starting games, and waking the console from [[sleep mode]].<ref>[http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/21/microsofts-new-kinect-is-official/ Microsoft's new Kinect is official: larger field of view, HD camera, wake with voice<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref name=XboxOneKinectListeningMay2013Polygon>{{cite news |title=Kinect is always listening on Xbox One, but privacy is a 'top priority' for Microsoft |author=Dave Tach |work=Polygon |url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/5/21/4353580/kinect-always-listening-on-xbox-one-privacy-is-a-top-priority |date=May 21, 2013 |accessdate=May 22, 2013}}</ref>

All Xbox One consoles were initially shipped with the Kinect sensor included—a holdover from a previously-announced, but retracted mandate requiring Kinect to be plugged into the console at all times for it to function.<ref name="ext-onekinect">{{cite web | url=http://www.extremetech.com/gaming/163796-xbox-one-no-longer-requires-kinect-but-itll-still-come-in-the-box-and-youll-still-pay-500 | title=Xbox One no longer requires Kinect, but it’ll still come in the box, and you’ll still pay $500 | publisher=Ziff Davis Media | work=ExtremeTech | accessdate=5 September 2013}}</ref> In June 2014, bundles without Kinect were made available,<ref name="polygon kinectless">{{cite web | url = http://www.polygon.com/2014/5/13/5713874/more-powerful-xbox-one-kinect | title = Microsoft: Dropping Kinect could free up extra processing power in Xbox One | first = Brian | last= Crecente | date = 2014-05-09 | accessdate=  2014-05-09 | work =[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref> along with an updated Xbox One SDK allowing  game developers to explicitly disable Kinect skeletal tracking, freeing up system resources that were previously reserved for Kinect even if it was disabled or unplugged.<ref name="polygon kinectless"/><ref>{{cite web|last1=Thurrott|first1=Paul|title=Explaining the Performance Improvements in the June Xbox One XDK Update|url=http://winsupersite.com/xbox-one/explaining-performance-improvements-june-xbox-one-xdk-update|website=Supersite for Windows|publisher=Penton|accessdate=1 July 2014}}</ref>

A standalone Kinect for Xbox One, bundled with a digital copy of ''[[Dance Central Spotlight]]'', was released on October 7, 2014.<ref name=gamespot-kinectstandalone>{{cite web|title=Standalone Xbox One Kinect Launching October 7 for $150 With Dance Central|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/standalone-xbox-one-kinect-launching-october-7-for/1100-6421947/|website=GameSpot|accessdate=16 December 2014}}</ref>

=== Kinect for Microsoft Windows ===

On February 21, 2011 Microsoft announced that it would release a non-commercial Kinect [[software development kit]] ([[Software development kit|SDK]]) for Microsoft Windows in spring 2011, and the first beta was released for Windows 7 on June 16, 2011.<ref name="SDK1"/><ref name="SDK2"/><ref name="SDK3"/> Beta 2 was released on the 1 year anniversary of Kinect for Xbox 360, on November 3, 2011.<ref>https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/kinectforwindows/2011/11/03/its-official-kinect-for-windows-is-coming-soon/></ref> Version 1.0 was released at the same time as the officially supported Microsoft Windows hardware on February 1, 2012.<ref>https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/kinectforwindows/2012/01/09/starting-february-1-2012-use-the-power-of-kinect-for-windows-to-change-the-world/</ref>

The SDK includes  [[Windows 7]] compatible [[Personal computer|PC]] drivers for Kinect device. It provides Kinect capabilities to developers to build applications with [[C++]], [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]], or [[Visual Basic]] by using [[Microsoft Visual Studio 2010]] and includes following features:

# Raw sensor streams: Access to low-level streams from the depth sensor, color camera sensor, and four-element microphone array.
# Skeletal tracking: The capability to track the skeleton image of one or two people moving within Kinect's field of view for gesture-driven applications.
# Advanced audio capabilities: Audio processing capabilities include sophisticated [[acoustic noise]] suppression and [[echo cancellation]], beam formation to identify the current sound source, and integration with [[Windows speech recognition]] API.
# Sample code and Documentation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/redmond/projects/kinectsdk/about.aspx |title=About the Kinect for Windows SDK - Microsoft Research |publisher= |date= |accessdate=October 19, 2011}}</ref>

In March 2012, Craig Eisler, the general manager of Kinect for Windows, said that almost 350 companies are working with Microsoft on custom Kinect applications for Microsoft Windows.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-03-08/can-kinect-make-windows-cool-again |title=Can Kinect Make Windows Cool Again? |publisher=Businessweek |date=March 8, 2012 |accessdate=March 12, 2012}}</ref>

==== Version 1.5 ====
In March 2012, Microsoft announced that next version of Kinect for Windows SDK would be available in May 2012. Kinect for Windows 1.5 was released on May 21, 2012. It adds new features, support for many new languages and debut in 19 more countries.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2402241,00.asp | work=PC Magazine | first=Chloe | last=Albanesius | title=Kinect for Windows 1.5 Coming in May | date=March 27, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2404694,00.asp | work=PC Magazine | first=Chloe | last=Albanesius | title=Kinect for Windows 1.5 Released With Facial, Skeletal Tracking | date=May 21, 2012}}</ref>

# Kinect for Windows 1.5 SDK would include 'Kinect Studio' a new app that allows developers to record, playback, and debug clips of users interacting with applications.<ref>{{cite web|author=Tom Warren |url=http://www.theverge.com/2012/3/27/2906181/kinect-studio-kinect-for-windows-1-5-sdk |title=Kinect for Windows 1.5 will feature '10-joint' skeletal tracking and four new speech recognition languages |publisher=The Verge |date=March 27, 2012 |accessdate=June 15, 2013}}</ref>
# Support for new "seated" or "10-joint" skeletal system that will let apps track the head, neck, and arms of a Kinect user - whether they're sitting down or standing; which would work in default and near mode.
# Support for four new languages for speech recognition – French, Spanish, Italian, and Japanese. Additionally it would add support for regional dialects of these languages along with English.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gorman |first=Michael |url=http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/27/kinect-for-windows-version-1-5-to-be-released-in-may/ |title=Kinect for Windows version 1.5 to be released in May |publisher=Engadget.com |date=March 27, 2012 |accessdate=June 15, 2013}}</ref>
# It would be available in Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan in May and Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, India, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates in June.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/kinectforwindows/archive/2012/03/26/what-s-ahead-a-sneak-peek.aspx |title=What’s Ahead: A Sneak Peek - Kinect for Windows Product Blog - Site Home - MSDN Blogs |publisher=Blogs.msdn.com |date=March 26, 2012 |accessdate=June 15, 2013}}</ref>

====Version 1.6, 1.7 and 1.8====
Kinect for Windows SDK for the first-generation sensor was updated a few more times, with version 1.6 released October 8, 2012,<ref>[http://blogs.msdn.com/b/kinectforwindows/archive/2012/10/08/kinect-for-windows-releases-sdk-update-and-launches-in-china.aspx Kinect for Windows releases SDK update and launches in China - Kinect for Windows Product Blog - Site Home - MSDN Blogs<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> version 1.7 released March 18, 2013,<ref>[http://blogs.msdn.com/b/kinectforwindows/archive/2013/03/18/the-latest-kinect-for-windows-sdk-is-here.aspx The latest Kinect for Windows SDK is here - Kinect for Windows Product Blog - Site Home - MSDN Blogs<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and version 1.8 released September 17, 2013.<ref>[http://blogs.msdn.com/b/kinectforwindows/archive/2013/09/17/updated-sdk-with-html5-kinect-fusion-improvements-and-more.aspx Updated SDK, with HTML5, Kinect Fusion improvements, and more - Kinect for Windows Product Blog - Site Home - MSDN Blogs<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

==== Version 2====
The second-generation Kinect for Windows, based on the same core technology as Kinect for Xbox One, including a new sensor, was first released in 2014.

=== Software ===
{{see also|List of Kinect games|List of Xbox Live Arcade Kinect games}}

Requiring at least 190 MB of available storage space,<ref name="mainsite">{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/kinect |title=Xbox.com: Kinect |work=Xbox.com |publisher=Microsoft |accessdate=September 18, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100912154547/http://www.xbox.com/en-us/kinect |archivedate=September 12, 2010 }}</ref> Kinect system software allows users to operate Xbox 360 Dashboard console user interface through voice commands and hand gestures. Techniques such as voice recognition and facial recognition are employed to automatically identify users. Among the applications for Kinect is Video Kinect, which enables [[voice chat]] or [[video chat]] with other Xbox 360 users or users of [[Windows Live Messenger]]. The application can use Kinect's tracking functionality and Kinect sensor's motorized pivot to keep users in frame even as they move around. Other applications with Kinect support include [[ESPN]], [[Zune Marketplace]],<ref name="mainsite"/> [[Netflix]], [[Hulu Plus]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/05/netflix-and-hulu-plus-with-kinect-coming-this-spring/ |title=Netflix and Hulu Plus with Kinect coming this spring to Xbox 360 |publisher=Engadget |date=January 5, 2011 |accessdate=October 19, 2011}}</ref> and [[Last.fm]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Blake |last=Robinson |url=http://mashable.com/2010/11/04/last-fm-kinect/ |title=Last.fm Gesture Controls for Xbox Kinect |publisher=Mashable.com |date=November 4, 2010 |accessdate=October 19, 2011}}</ref> Microsoft later confirmed that all forthcoming applications would be required to have Kinect functionality for certification.<ref>{{cite web|first=Evan |last=Narcisse|url=http://kotaku.com/5866279/wave-hello-microsofts-requiring-kinect-functionality-for-all-future-apps-built-for-xbox-360 |title=Wave Hello: Microsoft’s Requiring Kinect Functionality for All Future Apps Built for Xbox 360 |publisher=Kotaku.com |date=December 8, 2011 |accessdate=March 12, 2012}}</ref>

Xbox 360 games that require Kinect are packaged in special purple cases (as opposed to the green cases used by all other Xbox 360 games), and contain a prominent "Requires Kinect Sensor" logo on their front cover. Games that include features utilizing Kinect, but do not require it for standard gameplay, contain a "Better with Kinect Sensor" branding on their front covers.<ref name="BoxDesign">{{cite web |url=http://www.totalvideogames.com/Xbox-360/news/Some-Games-Are-Better-With-Kinect-Others-Require-It-15441.html |title=Some Games Are "Better With Kinect", Others "Require" It News |first=Gwynne |last=Dixon |date=July 6, 2010 |publisher=TotalVideoGames |accessdate=July 2, 2010}}</ref>

Kinect launched on November 4, 2010 with 17 titles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/microsoft-reveals-kinect-launch-games/|title=Microsoft reveals Kinect launch games|work=digitaltrends.com|date=October 19, 2010|accessdate=December 9, 2010|first=Jeffrey|last=Van Camp}}</ref> Third-party publishers of available and announced Kinect games include, among others, [[Ubisoft]], [[Electronic Arts]], [[LucasArts]], [[THQ]], [[Activision]], [[Konami]], [[Sega]], [[Capcom]], [[Namco Bandai]] and [[MTV Games]]. Along with retail games, there are also select [[Xbox Live Arcade]] titles which require the peripheral.

==== Kinect Fun Labs ====
At [[E3 2011]], Microsoft announced ''Kinect Fun Labs'': a collection of various gadgets and minigames that are accessible from Xbox 360 Dashboard. These gadgets includes ''Build A Buddy'', ''Air Band'', ''Kinect Googly Eyes'', ''Kinect Me'', ''Bobblehead'', ''Kinect Sparkler'', ''Junk Fu''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://electronictheatre.co.uk/xbox360/xbox360-news/16269/free-kinect-videogame-junk-fu |title=Free Kinect Videogame Junk Fu Now Available |publisher=Electronic Theatre |date=February 20, 2012 |accessdate=March 12, 2012}}</ref> and ''Avatar Kinect''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nosowitz |first=Dan |url=http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2011-06/microsoft-gifts-kinect-app-store-and-voice-controlled-live-tv |title=Microsoft Gives the Kinect an App Store and Voice-Controlled Live TV &#124; Popular Science |publisher=Popsci.com |date= |accessdate=October 19, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/Kinect-Fun-Labs/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258480811 |title=Kinect Fun Labs - Xbox.com |publisher=Marketplace.xbox.com |date=June 6, 2011|accessdate=October 19, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Terrones |first=Terry |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/222458/review-kinect-fun-labs-360/ |title=Kinect Fun Labs Review from |publisher=GamePro |date=August 29, 2011 |accessdate=October 19, 2011|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/222458/review-kinect-fun-labs-360/&date=2011-11-30+22:29:12|archivedate=December 1, 2011}}</ref>

==== Open source drivers ====
In November 2010, Adafruit Industries offered a bounty for an open-source driver for Kinect. Microsoft initially voiced its disapproval of the bounty, stating that it "does not condone the modification of its products" and that it had "built in numerous hardware and software safeguards designed to reduce the chances of product tampering".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.techeye.net/software/microsoft-furious-at-2000-bounty-for-open-source-kinect-drivers|title=Microsoft furious at 2000 bounty for open source Kinect drivers|date=November 5, 2010|publisher=TechEye}}</ref> This reaction, however, was caused by a misunderstanding within Microsoft,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2011/02/microsoft-plans-kinect-sdk.html |title=Microsoft plans Kinect SDK |first=Todd |last=Bishop |publisher=TechFlash.com |date=February 21, 2011 |accessdate=February 23, 2011}}</ref> and the company later clarified its position, claiming that while it does not condone hacking of either the physical device or the console, the USB connection was left open by design.

{{Cquote|The first thing to talk about is, Kinect was not actually hacked. Hacking would mean that someone got to our algorithms that sit inside of the Xbox and was able to actually use them, which hasn't happened. Or, it means that you put a device between the sensor and the Xbox for means of cheating, which also has not happened. That's what we call hacking, and that's what we have put a ton of work and effort to make sure doesn't actually occur. What has happened is someone wrote an open-source driver for PCs that essentially opens the USB connection, which we didn't protect, by design, and reads the inputs from the sensor. The sensor, again, as I talked earlier, has eyes and ears, and that's a whole bunch of noise that someone needs to take and turn into signal.|4=Microsoft's Alex Kipman speaking formally on NPR's ''Science Friday''<ref name="NPR">{{cite web|url=http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2010/11/microsoft-kinect-not-hacked-left.html|title=Microsoft: Kinect wasn't hacked, USB port left open 'by design'|date=November 20, 2010|accessdate=November 29, 2010|publisher=techflash.com}}</ref>}}

On November 10, Adafruit announced [[Héctor Martín Cantero|Héctor Martín]] as the winner,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2010/11/10/we-have-a-winner-open-kinect-drivers-released-winner-will-use-3k-for-more-hacking-plus-an-additional-2k-goes-to-the-eff/|title=Adafruit Contest Winner Announcement|accessdate=November 11, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elpais.com/articulo/tecnologia/gusta/trastear/elpeputec/20101111elpeputec_4/Tes|title=Me gusta trastear|trans_title=I like to tinker|language=Spanish|date=November 11, 2010|accessdate=November 15, 2010|publisher=El País}}</ref> who had produced a [[Linux]] driver that allows the use of both the RGB camera and depth sensitivity functions of the device.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://github.com/OpenKinect/libfreenect|title=OpenKinect's libfreenect|accessdate=November 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hackaday.com/2010/11/11/open-source-kinect-contest-has-been-won|title=Open Source Kinect contest has been won|date=November 11, 2010|accessdate=November 11, 2010|publisher=hackaday.com}}</ref> It was later revealed that [[Johnny Lee (computer scientist)|Johnny Lee]], a core member of Microsoft's Kinect development team, had secretly approached Adafruit with the idea of a driver development contest and had personally financed it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-20034579-52.html |title=Kinect developer claims credit for hack bounty idea |first=Daniel |last=Terdiman |publisher=[[cNET.com]] |date=February 21, 2011 |accessdate=February 23, 2011}}</ref>

In December 2010, [[PrimeSense]], whose depth sensing chips were used in the Kinect v1 hardware, released their own open source drivers along with motion tracking middleware called ''NITE''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/primesense-releases-open-source-drivers-middleware-for-kinect/ |title=PrimeSense releases open source drivers, middleware for Kinect |date=December 10, 2010 |work=[[Joystiq]] |first=Richard |last=Mitchell |accessdate=December 11, 2010}}</ref> PrimeSense later announced that it had teamed up with [[Asus]] to develop a PC-compatible device similar to Kinect for Chinese markets, called the Wavi Xtion. The product was released in October 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110103005276/en/PrimeSense-Teams-ASUS-Bring-Intuitive-PC-Entertainment |title=PrimeSense Teams Up with ASUS to Bring Intuitive PC Entertainment to the Living Room with WAVI Xtion |publisher=[[Business Wire]] |date=January 3, 2011 |accessdate=January 3, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Matthews|first1=Lee|title=Asus Wavi Xtion motion controller goes on sale in China next month|url=http://www.geek.com/games/asus-wavi-xtion-motion-controller-goes-on-sale-in-china-next-month-1419031/|publisher=geek.com|accessdate=26 February 2015}}</ref>

[[OpenNI]] is an open-source software framework that is able to read sensor data from Kinect, among other natural user interface sensors.

==== Third-party development ====
[[File:Wearable electronics Maker Faire 2011.jpg|thumb|250px|A demonstration of a third-party use of Kinect at [[Maker Faire]]. The visualization on the left, provided through Kinect, is of a user with a jacket featuring wearable electronic controls for [[VJing]].]]
Numerous developers are researching possible applications of Kinect that go beyond the system's intended purpose of playing games. For example, Philipp Robbel of [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]] combined Kinect with [[iRobot Create]] to map a room in 3D and have the robot respond to human gestures,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/22/technology/22hack.html?_r=1 |title=With Kinect Controller, Hackers Take Liberties |first=Jenna |last=Wortham |date=November 21, 2010 |work=The New York Times |accessdate= November 25, 2010}}</ref> while an MIT Media Lab team is working on a JavaScript extension for [[Google Chrome]] called depthJS that allows users to control the browser with hand gestures.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://github.com/doug/depthjs | title = depthJS |publisher=GitHub |author=Doug }}</ref> Other programmers, including Robot Locomotion Group at MIT, are using the drivers to develop a motion-controller user interface similar to the one envisioned in ''[[Minority Report (film)|Minority Report]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/09/kinect-finally-fulfills-its-minority-report-destiny-video/ | title = Kinect finally fulfills its Minority Report destiny (video) | first = Vlad | last = Savov | date=December 9, 2010 | accessdate=December 9, 2010 | publisher = [[Engadget]] }}</ref> The developers of [[Mobile Robot Programming Toolkit|MRPT]] have integrated open source drivers into their libraries and provided examples of live 3D rendering and basic 3D visual [[Simultaneous localization and mapping|SLAM]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mrpt.org/Kinect_and_MRPT |title=Kinect and MRPT &#124; The Mobile Robot Programming Toolkit |publisher=Mrpt.org |date= |accessdate=March 16, 2011}}</ref> Another team has shown an application that allows Kinect users to play a virtual piano by tapping their fingers on an empty desk.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kinectaku.com/news/2010/12/become_tom_hanks_in_big_with_kinects_giant_piano_hack |title=Become Tom Hanks in Big with Kinect's Giant Piano Hack |first=James |last=Newton |date=December 6, 2010 |work=KINECTaku.com |accessdate=December 6, 2010}}</ref>  [[Oliver Kreylos]], a researcher at [[University of California, Davis]], adopted the technology to improve live 3-dimensional [[videoconference|videoconferencing]], which [[NASA]] has shown interest in.<ref>{{cite news|title=Microsoft's Xbox Kinect beyond hackers, hobbyists|first=Casey|last=Newton|date=January 10, 2011|publisher=San Francisco Chronicle|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/01/09/BUO01H4ISI.DTL#ixzz1Ag01V1V9}}</ref>

Alexandre Alahi from [[École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne|EPFL]] presented a video surveillance system that combines multiple Kinect devices to track groups of people even in complete darkness.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://actu.epfl.ch/news/connecting-kinects-for-group-surveillance/ |title= Connecting Kinects for Group Surveillance |first=Didier |last=Bonvin |accessdate=December 26, 2010}}</ref> Companies So touch and Evoluce have developed presentation software for Kinect that can be controlled by hand gestures; among its features is a multi-touch zoom mode.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prlog.org/11120062-control-your-powerpoint-and-pdf-presentations-with-kinect.html |title=Control your PowerPoint and PDF presentations with Kinect |date=December 2, 2010 |publisher=PRLog.org |accessdate=December 8, 2010}}</ref> In December 2010, the free public beta of [[Home theater PC|HTPC]] software ''KinEmote'' was launched; it allows navigation of [[Boxee]] and [[XBMC]] menus using a Kinect sensor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.techspot.com/news/41724-kinemote-brings-kinect-to-boxee-and-xbmc-on-windows.html |title=KinEmote brings Kinect to Boxee and XBMC on Windows |first=Emil |last=Protalinski |date=December 24, 2010 |publisher=[[TechSpot]] |accessdate=December 26, 2010}}</ref> Soroush Falahati wrote an application that can be used to create [[Stereoscopy|stereoscopic]] 3D images with a Kinect sensor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kinectdevs.com/forums/kinect-photo-capture-tool-f18/kinect-photo-capture-tool-released-anaglyph-stereoscopic-vision-t8.html |title= Kinect 3D Photo Capture Tool 0.7 Released |accessdate=March 4, 2011}}</ref>

For a limited time in May 2011, a [[Topshop]] store in Moscow set up a Kinect kiosk that could overlay a collection of dresses onto the live video feed of customers. Through automatic tracking, position and rotation of the virtual dress were updated even as customers turned around to see the back of the outfit.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}

Kinect also shows compelling potential for use in medicine. Researchers at the [[University of Minnesota]] have used Kinect to measure a range of disorder symptoms in children, creating new ways of objective evaluation to detect such conditions as autism, attention-deficit disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Minnesota-University-Team-Adapts-Kinect-for-Medical-Use-189553.shtml|title=Minnesota University Team Adapts Kinect for Medical Use|publisher=Softpedia|date=March 15, 2011|accessdate=May 23, 2011}}</ref> Several groups have reported using Kinect for intraoperative, review of medical imaging, allowing the surgeon to access the information without contamination.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qj.net/qjnet/xbox-360/medical-practice-finds-use-for-kinect-hack.html|title=Medical practice finds use for Kinect hack|publisher=QuickJump Gaming Network|date=December 27, 2010|accessdate=May 23, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=radRounds|url=http://www.radrounds.com/video/xbox-kinect-based-radiology-medical-image-exploration|work=Xbox Kinect-based radiology & medical image exploration|accessdate=December 4, 2011}}</ref>  This technique is already in use at [[Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre]] in [[Toronto]], where doctors use it to guide imaging during cancer surgery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_health_news_details.asp?news_id=31715&news_channel_id=12&channel_id=12|title=Doctors use Xbox Kinect in cancer surgery|publisher=CHealth|date=March 22, 2011|accessdate=May 23, 2011}}</ref> At least one company, GestSure Technologies, is pursuing the commercialization of such a system.<ref>{{cite web|title=GestSure Technologies|url=http://www.gestsure.com|accessdate=December 4, 2011}}</ref>

[[NASA]]'s [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]] (JPL) signed up for the Kinect for Windows Developer program in November 2013 to use the new Kinect to manipulate a robotic arm in combination with an [[Oculus Rift]] [[virtual reality]] headset, creating "the most immersive interface" the unit had built to date.<ref name=five>{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Nicole|title=NASA's JPL maneuvers a robot arm with Oculus Rift and Kinect 2, points to more immersive space missions|url=http://www.engadget.com/2013/12/23/nasa-jpl-control-robotic-arm-kinect-2/|work=Web|accessdate=March 19, 2014}}</ref>

Another application of Kinect is for multi-touch displays. A Seattle-based company that graduated from Microsoft's Kinect Accelerator, Ubi Interactive, developed software for the Kinect to work with projectors to allow touchscreen-like capabilities on various surfaces.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ubi Interactive|url=http://www.ubi-interactive.com|accessdate=December 17, 2013}}</ref>

Kinect is used with a number of [[Robot Operating System|ROS]] robots via OpenNI.<ref>{{cite web|title=ROS OpenNI|url=http://wiki.ros.org/openni_camera}}</ref>

== Reception ==

===Kinect for Xbox 360===
{{Video game reviews
|CVG=8.8/10<ref name="CVG Review"/>
|GI=8/10<ref name="GI Review"/>
|IGN=7.5/10<ref name="IGN Review"/>
| rev1 = ''[[CNET]]''
| rev1Score = 3.5/5<ref name="CNET Review"/>
| rev2 = [[Engadget]]
| rev2Score = 6/10<ref name="Engadget Review"/>
| rev3 = ''[[USA Today]]''
| rev3Score = {{Rating|3.5|4}}<ref name="USA Today Review"/>
| rev4 = [[TechRadar]]
| rev4Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="Tech Radar Review"/>
| rev5 = [[The Washington Post]]
| rev5Score = {{Rating|4|4}}<ref name="Washington Post Review">{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/04/AR2010110404178.html |title=Microsoft Kinect review |first=Ron |last=Harris |date=November 4, 2010 |work=[[The Washington Post]] |accessdate=November 10, 2010}}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[PC Magazine]]''
| rev6Score = 4/5<ref name="PCMag Review">{{cite news |url=http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372069,00.asp
|title=Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360 |first=Jeffrey L. |last=Wilson |date=November 4, 2010 |work=PCMag.com |accessdate=November 10, 2010}}</ref>
| rev7 = [[Game Guru]]
| rev7Score = 9/10 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gameguru.in/reviews/2011/04/microsoft-kinect-review-the-beginning-of-hassle-free-gaming |title=Microsoft Kinect Review: The beginning of hassle-free gaming &#124; Game Guru |publisher=Gameguru.in |date=February 4, 2011 |accessdate=March 16, 2011}}</ref>
| rev8 = Tech Shout
| rev8Score = 9.2/10 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.techshout.com/reviews/2011/05/microsoft-kinect-for-xbox-360-review-controller-free-gaming-at-its-best |title=Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360 Review: Controller-free gaming at its best |publisher=TechShout |date= |accessdate=March 16, 2011}}</ref>
}}
Upon its release, the Kinect garnered positive opinions from reviewers and critics. [[IGN]] gave the device 7.5 out of 10, saying that "Kinect can be a tremendous amount of fun for casual players, and the creative, controller-free concept is undeniably appealing", though adding that for "$149.99, a motion-tracking camera add-on for Xbox 360 is a tough sell, especially considering that the entry level variation of Xbox 360 itself is only $199.99".<ref name="IGN Review">{{cite web |url=http://gear.ign.com/articles/113/1132213p1.html? |title=Microsoft Kinect Review |first=Scott |last=Lowe |date=November 4, 2010 |work= |publisher=IGN |accessdate=November 4, 2010}}</ref> ''[[Game Informer]]'' rated Kinect 8 out of 10, praising the technology but noting that the experience takes a while to get used to and that the spatial requirement may pose a barrier.<ref name="GI Review">{{cite web |url=http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/11/03/kinect-hardware-review.aspx |title=Kinect Hardware Review: Wave Of The Future |first=Annette |last=Gonzalez |date=November 4, 2010 |work= |publisher=[[Game Informer]] |accessdate=November 4, 2010}}</ref> ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' called the device a technological gem and applauded the gesture and voice controls, while criticizing the launch lineup and Kinect Hub.<ref name="CVG Review">{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=273523 |title=Kinect Review |first=Tim |last=Ingham |date=November 4, 2010 |publisher=[[Computer and Video Games]] |accessdate=November 4, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106023322/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=273523 |archivedate=November 6, 2010 }}</ref>

[[CNET.com|CNET]]'s review pointed out how Kinect keeps players active with its full-body motion sensing but criticized the learning curve, the additional power supply needed for older Xbox 360 consoles and the space requirements.<ref name="CNET Review">{{cite web |url=http://reviews.cnet.com/xbox-360-accessories/xbox-360-kinect/4505-9994_7-34182443.html?tag=cnetRiver#reviewPage1 |title=Xbox 360 Kinect Review |first=Jeff |last=Bakalar |date=November 4, 2010 |work= |publisher=[[CNET.com|CNET]] |accessdate=November 4, 2010}}</ref> [[Engadget]], too, listed the large space requirements as a negative, along with Kinect's launch lineup and the slowness of the hand gesture UI. The review praised the system's powerful technology and the potential of its yoga and dance games.<ref name="Engadget Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/04/kinect-for-xbox-360-review/ |title=Kinect for Xbox 360 review |first=Ross |last=Miller |date=November 4, 2010 |work=[[Engadget]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |accessdate=November 4, 2010}}</ref> [[Kotaku]] considered the device  revolutionary upon first use but noted that games were sometimes unable to recognize gestures or had slow responses, concluding that Kinect is "not must-own yet, more like must-eventually own."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5680501/review-kinect?skyline=true&s=i |title=Review: Kinect |first=Stephen|last= Totilo |date=November 3, 2010 |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[Gawker Media]] |accessdate=November 3, 2010}}</ref> [[TechRadar]] praised the voice control and saw a great deal of potential in the device whose lag and space requirements were identified as issues.<ref name="Tech Radar Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.techradar.com/reviews/gaming/games-consoles/controllers/microsoft-kinect-905010/review |title=Microsoft Kinect review |date=November 4, 2010 |work=[[TechRadar]] |accessdate=November 8, 2010}}</ref> [[Gizmodo]] also noted Kinect's potential and expressed curiosity in how more mainstream titles would utilize the technology.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gizmodo.com/5680205/xbox-kinect-review-its-a-brand-new-console |title=Xbox Kinect Review: It's a Brand New Console |first=Jason |last=Chen |date=November 4, 2010 |work=[[Gizmodo]] |accessdate=November 4, 2010}}</ref> ''[[Ars Technica]]'s'' review expressed concern that the core feature of Kinect, its lack of a controller, would hamper development of games beyond those that have either stationary players or control the player's movement automatically.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://arstechnica.com/gaming/reviews/2010/11/buy-a-house-clean-your-floor-move-your-butt-ars-reviews-kinect.ars/6 | title = Buy a house, clean your floor, move your butt: Ars reviews Kinect | date=November 4, 2010 |publisher=Ars Technica }}</ref>

The mainstream press also reviewed Kinect. ''[[USA Today]]'' compared it to the futuristic control scheme seen in ''[[Minority Report (film)|Minority Report]]'', stating that "playing games feels great" and giving the device 3.5 out of 4 stars.<ref name="USA Today Review">{{cite news |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2010/11/review-microsoft-kinect-marks-big-leap-for-motion-gaming/1 |title=We play Kinect... |first=Brett |last=Molina |date=November 4, 2010 |work=[[USA Today]] |accessdate=November 4, 2010}}</ref> [[David Pogue]] from ''[[The New York Times]]'' predicted players will feel a "crazy, magical, omigosh rush the first time you try the Kinect." Despite calling the motion tracking less precise than [[Wii]]'s implementation, Pogue concluded that "Kinect’s astonishing technology creates a completely new activity that’s social, age-spanning and even athletic."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/04/technology/personaltech/04pogue.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&src=busln |title=Kinect Pushes Users Into a Sweaty New Dimension |first=David |last=Pogue |date=November 4, 2010 |work=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=November 4, 2010}}</ref> ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' titled Kinect as setting a "new standard for motion control." The slight input lag between making a physical movement and Kinect registering it was not considered a major issue with most games, and the review called Kinect "a good and innovative product," rating it 3.5 out of 4 stars.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/personal-tech/gadgets/review-microsofts-kinect-sets-new-standard-for-motion-control/article1784987/page1/ |title=Microsoft’s Kinect sets new standard for motion control |first=Chad |last=Sapieha |date=November 4, 2010 |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |accessdate=November 4, 2010 |location=Toronto}}</ref>

===Kinect for Xbox One===
Although featuring improved performance over the original Kinect, its successor has been subject to mixed responses. In its Xbox One review, ''[[Engadget]]'' praised Xbox One's Kinect functionality, such as face recognition login and improved motion tracking, but that whilst "magical", "every false positive or unrecognized [voice] command had us reaching for the controller."<ref name=engadget-2013review>{{cite web|last1=Gilbert|first1=Ben|title=Xbox One review: a fast and powerful work in progress|url=http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/20/microsoft-xbox-one-review/|website=Engadget|accessdate=December 16, 2014}}</ref> The Kinect's inability to understand some accents in English was criticized.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U_QcJtK5-g |title=The Point : Can Kinect Understand Weird Accents?}}</ref>  Writing for ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', Matt Peckham described the device as being "chunky" in appearance, but that the facial recognition login feature was "creepy but equally sci-fi-future cool", and that the new voice recognition system was a "powerful, addictive way to navigate the console, and save for a few exceptions that seem to be smoothing out with use". However, its accuracy was found to be affected by background noise, and Peckham further noted that launching games using voice recognition required that the full title of the game be given rather than an abbreviated name that the console "ought to semantically understand", such as ''[[Forza Motorsport 5]]'' rather than "Forza 5".<ref name=time-xb1review>{{cite web|last1=Peckham|first1=Matt|title=Xbox One Review: Microsoft’s Ambitious One-Stop Shop|url=http://techland.time.com/2013/11/20/xbox-one-review-microsofts-ambitious-one-stop-shop/|website=Time|accessdate=April 5, 2015}}</ref>

Prior to Xbox One's launch, [[Digital privacy|privacy]] concerns were raised over the new Kinect; critics showed concerns the device could be used for [[surveillance]], stemming from the originally announced requirements that Xbox One's Kinect be plugged in at all times, plus the initial [[always-on DRM]] system that required the console to be connected to the internet to ensure continued functionality. Privacy advocates contended that the increased amount of data which could be collected with the new Kinect (such as a person's eye movements, heart rate, and mood) could be used for [[targeted advertising]]. Reports also surfaced regarding recent Microsoft [[patent]]s involving Kinect, such as a DRM system based on detecting the number of viewers in a room, and tracking viewing habits by awarding [[Achievement (video gaming)|achievements]] for watching television programs and [[Television commercial|advertising]]. While Microsoft stated that its [[privacy policy]] "prohibit[s] the collection, storage, or use of Kinect data for the purpose of advertising", critics did not rule out the possibility that these policies could be changed prior to the release of the console. Concerns were also raised that the device could also record conversations, as its microphone remains active at all times. In response to the criticism, a Microsoft spokesperson stated that users are "in control of when Kinect sensing is On, Off or Paused", will be provided with key privacy information and settings during the console's initial setup, and that user-generated content such as photos and videos "will not leave your Xbox One without your explicit permission."<ref name=polygon-xbox1privacy>{{cite web|title=Privacy concerns threaten to overshadow Microsoft's new console|url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/6/5/4398440/privacy-microsoft-xbox-one|work=Polygon|accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref><ref name="verge-kinectads">{{cite web | url=http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/27/4370676/microsoft-kinect-tv-monitoring-achievements-ads | title=Microsoft may award achievements for watching TV and ads by monitoring you with Kinect | publisher=Vox Media | work=The Verge | accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref><ref name="polygon-privacyresponse">{{cite web | url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/6/6/4403926/kinect-on-xbox-one-will-not-record-or-upload-your-conversations | title=Kinect on Xbox One will not record or upload your conversations, Microsoft says | publisher=Vox Media | work=Polygon | accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref><ref name=XboxOneReceptionInternetMay2013Pcmag>{{cite news |title=Hello Xbox One, Goodbye Freedom |author=Will Greenwald |work=[[PC Magazine]] |url=http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2419320,00.asp |date=May 22, 2013 |accessdate=May 23, 2013}}</ref> Microsoft ultimately decided to reverse its decision to require Kinect usage on Xbox One, but the console still shipped with the device upon its launch in November 2013.<ref name=ext-onekinect/>

== Sales ==
24 million units of Kinect had been shipped by February 2013.<ref name="24-million"/> Having sold 8 million units in its first 60 days on the market, Kinect has claimed the [[Guinness World Record]] of being the "fastest selling consumer electronics device".<ref name="Gamasutra-record">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33430/Microsoft_Kinect_Hits_10_Million_Units_10_Million_Games.php |title=Microsoft: Kinect Hits 10 Million Units, 10 Million Games |first=Leigh |last=Alexander |publisher=Gamasutra |date=March 9, 2011 |accessdate=March 10, 2011}}</ref><ref name="CVG-record">{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/292825/news/kinect-cruises-past-10m-sales-barrier/ |title=Kinect cruises past 10m sales barrier |first=Tim |last=Ingham |publisher=CVG |date=March 9, 2011 |accessdate=March 10, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311085030/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/292825/news/kinect-cruises-past-10m-sales-barrier/ |archivedate=March 11, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="Guinness-record">{{cite web|url=http://community.guinnessworldrecords.com/_Kinect-Confirmed-As-Fastest-Selling-Consumer-Electronics-Device/blog/3376939/7691.html |title=Kinect Confirmed As Fastest-Selling Consumer Electronics Device |publisher=Guinnessworldrecords.com |accessdate=March 10, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311213211/http://community.guinnessworldrecords.com/_Kinect-Confirmed-As-Fastest-Selling-Consumer-Electronics-Device/blog/3376939/7691.html |archivedate=March 11, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="10-million">{{cite web |url=http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/09/microsoft-sells-10-million-kinects-10-million-kinect-games/ |title=Microsoft sells 10 million Kinects, 10 million Kinect games |first=Tim |last=Stevens |publisher=[[Engadget]] |date=March 9, 2011  |accessdate=March 10, 2011}}</ref> According to Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter, Kinect bundles accounted for about half of all Xbox 360 console sales in December 2010 and for more than two-thirds in February 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.industrygamers.com/news/microsofts-xbox-360-kinect-bundles-outsold-move-bundles-by-51/ |title=Microsoft's Xbox 360 Kinect Bundles Outsold Move Bundles By 5:1 |first=James |last=Brightman |publisher=Industrygamers.com |date=January 14, 2011 |accessdate=January 14, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116053534/http://www.industrygamers.com/news/microsofts-xbox-360-kinect-bundles-outsold-move-bundles-by-51/ |archivedate=January 16, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.industrygamers.com/news/kinect-bundles-outsold-ps3-move-bundles-51-in-february/ |title=Kinect Bundles Outsold PS3 Move Bundles 5:1 in February |first=James |last=Brightman |publisher=Industrygamers.com |date=March 11, 2011 |accessdate=March 11, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314052126/http://www.industrygamers.com/news/kinect-bundles-outsold-ps3-move-bundles-51-in-february/ |archivedate=March 14, 2011 }}</ref> More than 750,000 Kinect units were sold during the week of Black Friday 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://majornelson.com/2011/11/29/xbox-360-records-the-biggest-week-in-xbox-history/ |title=Xbox 360 records the biggest week in Xbox history  |publisher=MajorNelson.com |date=November 29, 2011 |accessdate=November 29, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://venturebeat.com/2011/11/29/xbox-360-sees-biggest-sales-week-in-its-7-year-history/ |title=Xbox 360 sees biggest sales week in its 7-year history |publisher=VentureBeat |date=November 29, 2011 |accessdate=March 12, 2012}}</ref>

==Other motion controllers==
{{Main|Motion controller#Gaming}}
Kinect competes with several [[motion controller]]s on other home consoles, such as [[Wii Remote Plus]] for [[Wii]] and [[Wii U]], [[PlayStation Move]]/[[PlayStation Eye]] for [[PlayStation 3]], and [[PlayStation Camera]] for [[PlayStation 4]].

== Awards ==
* The [[machine learning]] work on human motion capture within Kinect won the [[MacRobert Award|2011 MacRobert Award]] for engineering innovation.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.imeche.org/news/engineering/kinect-team-scoop-the-50-000-macrobert-award |title=Kinect team scoop the $50,000 Macrobert Award| work=Professional Engineering |date=June 7, 2011}}</ref>
* Kinect Won [[T3 (magazine)|T3]]'s "Gadget of the Year" award for 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://awards.t3.com/categories/gadget-of-the-year|title=Gadget of the Year {{!}} T3 Gadget Awards 2011|accessdate=October 13, 2011|publisher=[[Future plc]]|work=[[T3 (magazine)|T3]]}}</ref> It also won the "Gaming Gadget of the Year" prize.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://awards.t3.com/categories/gaming-gadget-of-the-year|title=Gaming Gadget of the Year {{!}} T3 Gadget Awards 2011|accessdate=October 13, 2011|publisher=[[Future plc]]|work=[[T3 (magazine)|T3]]}}</ref>
* 'Microsoft Kinect for Windows Software Development Kit' was ranked second in "The 10 Most Innovative Tech Products of 2011" at [[Popular Mechanics]] Breakthrough Awards ceremony in New York City.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/reviews/the-10-most-innovative-tech-products-of-2011#fbIndex2 |title=The 10 Most Innovative Tech Products of 2011 |publisher=Popular Mechanics |date= |accessdate=March 12, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/msr_er/archive/2011/10/13/kinect-for-windows-sdk-beta-makes-it-big-in-the-big-city.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0 |title=Kinect for Windows SDK Beta Makes It Big in the Big Apple |work=Microsoft Research Connections Blog |publisher=Blogs.MSDN.com |date=October 13, 2011 |accessdate=March 12, 2012}}</ref>
* Microsoft Kinect for Windows won Innovation of the Year in the 2012 Seattle 2.0 Startup Awards.<ref>http://www.geekwire.com/2012/revealed-winners-seattle-20-startup-awards/</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Dreameye]]
* [[EyeToy]]
* [[List of Kinect games]]
* [[Motion capture]]
* [[PlayStation Camera|PlayStation 4 Camera]]
* [[PlayStation Eye]]
* [[PlayStation Move]]
* [[Sega Activator]]
* [[Structured-light 3D scanner]]
* [[Wii Balance Board]]
* [[Wii Remote]]
* [[Xbox Live Vision]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Kinect}}
* {{official website|http://www.xbox.com/kinect/}} for Xbox + Kinect
* {{official website|http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/kinectforwindows/}} for Kinect for Windows
* [https://www.youtube.com/user/xbox#grid/user/13DAE6AFF31073FB Kinect Playlist] at the official YouTube Xbox channel
* [http://kinectshare.com/ KinectShare] KinectShare.com
* [http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Microsoft-Kinect-Teardown/4066/1 iFixit teardown of Kinect]
* [http://v3.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?CC=WO&NR=2010088032A2&KC=A2&FT=D&date=20100805&DB=EPODOC Patent application] relating to Kinect
*[http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/kinectforwindows/develop/developer-downloads.aspx Kinect for Windows SDK]
*[http://campar.in.tum.de/twiki/pub/Chair/TeachingSs11Kinect/2011-DSensors_LabCourse_Kinect.pdf Time-of-Flight and Kinect Imaging]
*[http://blogs.msdn.com/b/kinectforwindows/ Official KINECT for Windows Blog]
{{Microsoft}}
{{Microsoft video gaming}}
{{Mixed reality}}

[[Category:Microsoft]]
[[Category:Microsoft hardware]]
[[Category:Xbox 360 hardware]]
[[Category:Xbox One]]
[[Category:Computing input devices]]
[[Category:History of human–computer interaction]]
[[Category:Film and video technology]]
[[Category:Video game controllers]]
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[[Category:2010 introductions]]
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[[Category:3D imaging|Computer graphics]]
[[Category:Devices capable of speech recognition]]
[[Category:Microphones]]
[[Category:Infrared imaging]]
[[Category:Artificial intelligence]]
[[Category:Applied machine learning]]
[[Category:Gesture recognition]]