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Microsoft halts production of Kinect for Windows, focuses on USB adapter
Microsoft Corporation has announced that the company will discontinue the standalone developer’s kit Kinect for Windows v2 sensor and instead intends to consolidate with the sensor that ships with Xbox One and a USB-enabled Kinect Adapter for PC.
According to Microsoft, the Kinect for Xbox One and Kinect for Windows v2 sensors are functionally identical and the Kinect for Windows SDK 2.0 will work the same with either. The only difference for developers will be the extra Kinect Adapter needed to connect the Xbox One connect to PCs.
Microsoft added that, although production has ceased, support for the Kinect for Windows v2 sensor remains unchanged and that developers can continue to use that device.
The Kinect Adapter is compatible with USB 3.0 and can be bought in the Microsoft Store for $49.99. The Kinect v2 for Xbox One, of course, must also be purchased and it runs a cool $149.99. If you don’t live in the U.S. Microsoft provides a helpful site listing prices and resellers for other countries.
Kinect for Windows SDK unchanged
Keeping with the rest of the announcement, the v2 sensor itself is unchanged, just the adapter. The Kinect for Windows SDK 2.0 is unchanged and works with both the old Kinect for Windows and the console version via adapter.
New developers are encouraged to read the Kinect 101 FAQ listing key documents; and experts can dive right into the SDK by downloading and poring over the online technical documents.
Microsoft also encourages developers to understand how to build and release their apps for Kinect for the Windows Store.
Finally, Microsoft hosts a MSDN forum catering to Kinect for Windows developers who are looking for help and like-minded peers.
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