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Microsoft's Kinect SDK Can Track and Listen
mikejuk writes "Microsoft has given more information on the Kinect SDK to be released later in the year. It will include the body tracking software that is used by the Xbox version of the Kinect, allowing it to track up to two people at the same time and stay locked on to them even if they leave and re-enter the frame. In addition, they promise to allow the microphone array to be used with the PC's speech recognition API. So, not only will future Kinect projects be able to track you — they can listen to what you say."
So, not only will future Kinect projects be able to track you ...
Your computer/console can respond to your gesture based commands.
... they can listen to what you say.
Your computer/console can respond to your verbal commands.
Microsoft doesn't have an advertising arm, nor is it aggressively moving into IPTV services. Their software platforms also have an excellent record of never being compromised, and the Kinect makes it trivially evident when its mics and/or camera are active.
Thus, there is no possible way in which this could be sinister. I was worried there for a minute...
Actually, the fact that there is a development kit coming out for what is, truthfully, a pretty innovative device, sort of makes me feel like there is a division of microsoft that is warring against the greater evil that is microsoft.
sort of makes me feel like there is a division of microsoft that is warring against the greater evil that is microsoft.
The division is called Microsoft Research, and it's been around for a while.
Speech recognition would be a great feature if they could put it in phones. You know how it is when you are texting, you have to use both hands and keep your eyes on the phone.
Someone should invent a phone that you can just talk to.
I haven't inspected the tech myself, but If that's a stereo microphone (that is, a left and a right microphone), some added audio analysis would allow you to track who said what at the same time. Simultaneous audio commands, anyone? That'd be some nifty stuff.
Microsoft can now report if you are active in the "Five Minutes Hate".
"Flyin' in just a sweet place,
Never been known to fail..."
Open the pod bay doors, Hal.
Police Officer: "Are you classified as human?"
Kinect Owner: "Negative, I am a meat popsicle."
Kinexxx
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2010/11/5/
Wow, seems like everyone has missed the point of this article. Microsoft is releasing an SDK for Kinect development on non XBox hardware [i.e., normal computers]. This article say which Kinect features would be accessible via this SDK [camera? depth tracking? voice tracking? body tracking? etc.]. This has nothing to do with the XBox tracking you.
Hackers Hack Kinect And Can Program It: Amazing Scenes!
Microsoft Give You Access To Kinect To Program It: Privacy Fears Abound!!!!
Why on earth is this written as a negative story rather a positive story about the capabilities that people will be able to explore?
--- Band: Joey Ultra
> This has nothing to do with "normal computers", it's about a Windows specific SDK
So.... Windows specific SDKs only apply to abnormal computers?
Wow buddy, you seem pissed off. Let me calm you down by saying nobody gives a shit about your attitude or wild anti-microsoft assertions. The bottom line is Microsoft could piss diamonds all over your bedroom and shit poop all over your enemies and you would still find something to bitch about.
Microsoft doesn't develop on my schedule and hackers have already put out SDKs. I don't know why their commercial offering would take a while, its almost as if corporations don't move as fast as small teams! I don't understaaaaand! Why would anybody care about the manufacturer of a device supporting something we all want? I'm going to complain about it! That's you, and you sound pathetic.
If I can just reach out with my words and touch a butthole, just one, it will all be worth it.
will be installed in the MS terminator I hope it gets a BSOD before the killing starts.