Microsoft XBox One Kinect Will Not Work On Windows PCs

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Microsoft XBox One Kinect Will Not Work On Windows PCs

Posted by timothy on Thursday June 27, 2013 @09:52AM from the sir-you-need-to-get-back-in-line dept.

symbolset writes "Ars is reporting that Microsoft XBox One Kinect will not work on Windows PCs. It uses a proprietary connector and an adaptor will not be available. If you want Kinect for your PC you will need to buy a 'Kinect for Windows' product. Although the Kinect 1.0 for XBox 360 also had a proprietary connector it came with a USB adaptor for compatibility with older versions of the 360 that lacked the new proprietary port and PC compatibility was quickly hacked up by third parties."

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Microsoft seem determined by maroberts · 2013-06-27 09:54 · Score: 5, Insightful

..to shoot themselves in the ass with their desire to compartmentalize everything. One reason the Kinect was such a runaway success was the fact that people thought of doing imaginative things with it and stretching its operational boundaries.

--
Donte Alistair Anderson Roberts - hi son!
Karma: Chameleon
1. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Spy+Handler · 2013-06-27 09:59 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  they're just aping what Apple is doing. Oh Apple is dominating mp3 players with the ipod? Let's make the Zune! Apple has their own Apple stores? Let's open our Microsoft stores! Apple has proprietary connectors? Let's make proprietary connectors!
2. Re:Microsoft seem determined by crutchy · 2013-06-27 10:02 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  ms fucked up when steve jobs died... they should have followed suit and killed off ballmer
3. Re:Microsoft seem determined by bmk67 · 2013-06-27 10:24 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  You sir, owe me a new keyboard and a Coke.
4. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-27 10:26 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Oh, come on, that had nothing to do with it selling well - 99.999% of the Kinects sold were just plugged into an Xbox 360 and used for normal console games. It was cool that it worked on a PC and they released a Windows SDK, but that had almost zero to do with the actual units sold.
5. Re:Microsoft seem determined by OP+is+trolling · 2013-06-27 10:30 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  ..to shoot themselves in the ass with their desire to compartmentalize everything. One reason the Kinect was such a runaway success was the fact that people thought of doing imaginative things with it and stretching its operational boundaries.
  Original article says they're going to release 2 different Kinects; one for Windows and one for XBox One... but hey, let's form opinions based on headlines and cherry picking quotes!
6. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-27 10:37 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Why? The XB1 is a PC, albeit a customized one operating in a walled-garden OS environment. Both have USB so interfacing isnt an issue. Greed-based pricing/licensing is the only reason they would need two models.
7. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Missing.Matter · 2013-06-27 10:55 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  The people doing the most impressive/innovative things with the Kinect are research institutions and startups. Sensors like the original Kinect used to cost in excess of $5000 - $10000. I've seen some as high as $70,000 which are not as nice as the Kinect and don't offer the same developer resources and community support. At $199 they were a complete steal. Sensors like the Kinect 2 simply do not exist today, and several that are slated for release (which still don't match its capabilities) still run in excess of a grand.
  
  With that in mind, the $399 Kinect for Windows is still a complete steal. It's *the* most innovative and cheapest sensor for robotics, my field, period. The time of flight capabilities they added to the Kinect 2 are unheard of for under $6000. The resolution is unheard of for any price. I will be the first one in line to buy a PC compatible kinect for my robotics research, and I'll be smiling all the way home TYVM.
8. Re:Microsoft seem determined by bloodhawk · 2013-06-27 10:57 · Score: 1
  
  You guys do realize they are making Kinnect for Windows available separately right? who gives a shit if you can't plug in the one from your Xbox.
9. Re:Microsoft seem determined by naoursla · 2013-06-27 10:57 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  They already released a Kinect for XBox and Windows.
  The Windows Kinect has a near-mode that the XBox one lacks.
10. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Missing.Matter · 2013-06-27 11:00 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Xbox is sold at a loss and subsidized by the expectation of future game sales. The kinect 2 is an amazing piece of technology, that alone is worth thousands of dollars to a researcher, whose only other options until now have been sensors from specialized industrial suppliers with limited runs and excessive prices (we're talking $5k - $10k).
  
  What Microsoft obviously doesn't want people doing is buying an Xbox, using only the Kincect, and not buying any media. Thus Kinect for Xbox only works with Xbox, and if you want to use it for another application you don't get the subsidy. Oh how greedy.
11. Re:Microsoft seem determined by AbsGeekNZ · 2013-06-27 11:01 · Score: 1
  
  First actual LOL I have had today....thank you sir :)
12. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-27 11:08 · Score: 1
  
  Oh wow the wins the internet. Fucking bravo.
13. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-27 11:12 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Because the article said something negative about Microsoft. Obviously it can't be wrong.
14. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Ultra64 · 2013-06-27 11:21 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  "Original article says they're going to release 2 different Kinects; one for Windows and one for XBox One... but hey, let's form opinions based on headlines and cherry picking quotes!"
  I think you need to look up what "compartmentalize" means.
  He didn't say anything about them not releasing a Kinect for Windows. He just pointed out that you now need two separate but similar devices to solve a problem that used to be covered with a single device.
15. Re:Microsoft seem determined by DrGamez · 2013-06-27 11:22 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Because when before I had to just buy one, now I must buy two to get the same "functionality". I don't get how this is confusing.
16. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-27 11:23 · Score: 1
  
  Win8 not working on it should be considered a feature of a 286.
17. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-27 11:36 · Score: 1
  
  This. AND since this is /., any post even attempting to point out the idiocy of the rampant MS hatred is a shill.
  Nothing new here.
18. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Lunix+Nutcase · 2013-06-27 11:56 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  So no different than the device you made your post from.
19. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-27 12:10 · Score: 1
  
  It was NEVER covered by a single device. Kinect for Windows is a separate SKU and product.
  Maybe you can "hack" the 360 Kinect to work on Windows, but it was NEVER designed to work with both.
20. Re:Microsoft seem determined by drinkypoo · 2013-06-27 12:15 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  Xbox is sold at a loss and subsidized by the expectation of future game sales.
  Xbox hasn't been sold for years. Xbox 360 is profitable. Xbox One is powered by an APU and RAM isn't expensive any more, they are probably actually making a profit selling $400 consoles.
  
  What Microsoft obviously doesn't want people doing is buying an Xbox, using only the Kincect, and not buying any media. Thus Kinect for Xbox only works with Xbox
  No, Kinect for Xbox 360 works with PC, with community software. Kinect for Xbox One has been said by Microsoft to not work with PC, but that's also what they said about Kinect for Xbox 360.
  I know it's tedious to get these names right, because Microsoft came up with shitty names, but please try to do so anyway. If you expect people to parse your comments, then it's reasonable for others to expect them to be correct.
  
  --
  "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
21. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Teckla · 2013-06-27 12:31 · Score: 1
  
  ..to shoot themselves in the ass with their desire to compartmentalize everything. One reason the Kinect was such a runaway success was the fact that people thought of doing imaginative things with it and stretching its operational boundaries.
  My Kinect is gathering dust. It was novel and interesting at first, but now it feels mostly pointless and gimmicky.
  I think it sucks that Microsoft is going to force people to buy a Kinect with the Xbone.
22. Re:Microsoft seem determined by timeOday · 2013-06-27 12:31 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Why are people assuming the Windows and XBox One versions will differ only in connector?
  Kinect 1 was an add-on for the XBox 360. That means everything particular to Kinect had to be in the Kinect itself, for example some video processing capability. USB, after all, is a sucky interface for video transfer, and the XBox 360 had no particular capability to do the processing required by Kinect anyways.
  Kinect 2 is an integrated component of XBox One, so more of its processing is almost certainly offloaded into the GPU or other components of the XBox One console. Surely this will be cheaper than having separate (and substantial) RAM and processing inside the Kinect. But obviously the Kinect for PCs cannot take the same approach.
  Granted, I have no direct knowledge and am just reasoning this out. But if you're designing the console and sensor together it's hard to imagine it won't be cheaper to have a deeper integration of computing resources needed.
23. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-27 12:33 · Score: 1
  
  Of course they do. How else will they play their mp3s? You could use your phone, but that drains your battery too much to be practical. I like the iPod Shuffle. You can't feel it, good for exercising, good for travel, and the battery will last all day long.
24. Re:Microsoft seem determined by icebike · 2013-06-27 12:34 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  That only makes sense if buying the Xbox Only version was cheap and easy. For sake of argument, lets say it is.
  It will take http://pinouts.ru/ maybe a week and a half to post the specs, and some enterprising Chinese company will make a converter.
  Or you could bread-board your own.
  
  --
  Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
25. Re:Microsoft seem determined by iMadeGhostzilla · 2013-06-27 12:42 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Also I imagine the final Kinect 2 for Windows will surely be less expensive than the new XBox. If I buy the XBox One just for the Kinect, everybody loses -- I pay extra for a console I won't use, and MS loses money on subsidizing unused hardware.
26. Re:Microsoft seem determined by DAldredge · 2013-06-27 13:13 · Score: 1, Flamebait
  
  Because if you say anything positive about Microsoft you are evil, a shill, etc....
27. Re:Microsoft seem determined by The+Cat · 2013-06-27 13:33 · Score: 1
  
  My computer was made in Texas.
  Nice red herring, though. Anything to direct attention away from the hissing evil that runs companies in this country.
28. Re:Microsoft seem determined by The+Cat · 2013-06-27 13:34 · Score: 1
  
  Guangdong isn't in Texas.
29. Re:Microsoft seem determined by antdude · 2013-06-27 13:45 · Score: 2
  
  Your keyboard sucks. Good ones should be washable and still work. ;)
  
  --
  Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
30. Re:Microsoft seem determined by ILongForDarkness · 2013-06-27 13:56 · Score: 1
  
  Doesn't the computer version have a more near sighted camera? You probably don't want a deep a field of focus for something you are going to use sitting at your desktop so it would likely be a different device you'd want anyways.
31. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Darinbob · 2013-06-27 14:12 · Score: 1
  
  Ballmer is already dead though. What we see is just residual hind brain activity. What we hear are residual echoes of him shouting.
32. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Darinbob · 2013-06-27 14:17 · Score: 1
  
  More like a farthing less than a shilling, or nearly 3 groats.
33. Re:Microsoft seem determined by wbr1 · 2013-06-27 14:18 · Score: 2
  
  ..to shoot themselves in the ass with their desire to compartmentalize everything. One reason the Kinect was such a runaway success was the fact that people thought of doing imaginative things with it and stretching its operational boundaries.
  Original article says they're going to release 2 different Kinects; one for Windows and one for XBox One... but hey, let's form opinions based on headlines and cherry picking quotes!
  Simple.. sure I can buy a windows model. But, what if I already own an xbone. Shouldn't I be able to use that kinect for tinkering, robotics, teledildonics, or whatever else? No, instead I have to pony up more money. Yay Ballmer.
  
  --
  Silence is a state of mime.
34. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Zynder · 2013-06-27 14:56 · Score: 2
  
  Your computer was ASSEMBLED in TX. The motherboards and all the components are made in the Far East, mostly China. You're part of the "problem" whether you want to admit it or not. (I don't think there is a "problem" though)
35. Re: Microsoft seem determined by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-27 15:01 · Score: 1
  
  Shhhh!!! Your reasoned out, and non-m$ bashing comment is not welcome here sir.
36. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Somebody+Is+Using+My · 2013-06-27 15:17 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Wait, let me fix that for you:
  99.999% of the Kinects sold were just plugged into an Xbox 360 and used for one or two console game and then left to collect dust after a few months.
  Because, neat as the technology is (and I have to give kudos to Microsoft, the Kinect is neat tech), it doesn't really add anything to most games. Hell, in most cases it is more frustrating to use the Kinect to control your character than the regular gamepad. Sure, the Kinect-enabled party-games were fun for a while - mostly to show off to your friends - but they quickly wore out their welcome as everyone gravitated towards more traditional games, be it Rock Band, Madden or Call of Duty. The most use I got out of my Kinect was when playing Mass Effect 3, and then only because yelling "quicksave" was the one thing that the Kinect made easier to do than navigating all those menus with a gamepad.
  With Kinect2 built into every XBOne ot will make it easier for developers to add the technology to their games but I have strong doubts that it will make motion-control any more /useful/.
37. Re:Microsoft seem determined by LordLimecat · 2013-06-27 15:36 · Score: 2
  
  Yes, Im sure that creating less work for them by insisting on "US ONLY" goods will help to elevate them out of their life of stifling poverty.
38. Re:Microsoft seem determined by camperdave · 2013-06-27 15:38 · Score: 1
  
  Ballmer is already dead though. What we see is just residual hind brain activity. What we hear are residual echoes of him shouting.
  "Hey! Who turned out the lights?"
  
  --
  When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
39. Re:Microsoft seem determined by exomondo · 2013-06-27 15:48 · Score: 1
  
  What Microsoft obviously doesn't want people doing is buying an Xbox, using only the Kincect, and not buying any media.
  And with the kinect for windows being cheaper than an xbox how do you figure this is something anybody would actually do?
40. Re:Microsoft seem determined by mordenkhai · 2013-06-27 15:49 · Score: 1
  
  No the Kinect for 360 offloaded everything, I heard a developer say it required at most 15% overhead on the console. That is a big part of the reason for the input lag being so wildly poor is some games, and simply noticeable in others.
41. Re:Microsoft seem determined by timeOday · 2013-06-27 16:13 · Score: 2
  
  The XBox One Kinect produces massively more data than the first generation, starting with the upgrade from VGA to 1080p video. USB 2 must have added quite a bit of latency to the XBox 360 Kinect, and isn't even an option for the XBox One.
42. Re:Microsoft seem determined by guruevi · 2013-06-27 16:29 · Score: 1, Interesting
  
  Except that Apple doesn't have proprietary connectors. The problem is that MS is aping what Apple is doing way after it has become clear that it was a huge success. Apple also has lots of failures, Microsoft is just very risk averse and they don't want to take any risk in order to innovate.
  
  --
  Custom electronics and digital signage for your business: www.evcircuits.com
43. Re:Microsoft seem determined by thereitis · 2013-06-27 16:34 · Score: 1
  
  What all the big 3 gaming consoles seem to be lacking is the ability to make menu selections with either the motion controller or the regular controller. Too time consuming when you have to home-in on a menu selection for each of several levels of menus. Let me use the regular controller for that stuff and keep the dedicated motion selection for the gameplay itself.
44. Re:Microsoft seem determined by bondsbw · 2013-06-27 16:40 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  With Kinect2 built into every XBOne ot will make it easier for developers to add the technology to their games but I have strong doubts that it will make motion-control any more /useful/.
  Like GPS and accelerometers in mobile devices, if developers have confidence that more/all users will have access to a certain technology, it's more likely they will try to come up with useful ideas.
  Also, don't forget that the Kinect 2 is vastly improved over the Kinect in terms of depth resolution and AI capabilities. That alone could give developers what they need to take their games and other software to the next level.
  
  --
  All my liberal friends think I'm a conservative, all my conservative friends think I'm a liberal.
45. Re:Microsoft seem determined by tlhIngan · 2013-06-27 17:02 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  They already released a Kinect for XBox and Windows.
  The Windows Kinect has a near-mode that the XBox one lacks.
  Also, Kinect for Windows runs the IR at 640x480. The Xbox Kinect runs at 320x240 (even though its sensor is 640x480) because the Xbox360 does not have sufficient USB bandwidth to handle 4x audio streams, and 2x VGA 60fps streams.(in theory, the Xbox can do just under 40MB/sec over USB2, but in practice, it's only getting half that).
  Kinect 2 for Windows requires USB3 because its cameras are high def, including the time-of-flight one.
46. Re:Microsoft seem determined by davester666 · 2013-06-27 17:11 · Score: 1
  
  Somebody spends too much time watching porn next to their keyboard...or is using their keyboard in an unconventional manner...
  
  --
  Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
47. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Scarletdown · 2013-06-27 17:20 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Since your post is already at 5, here is a virtual mod point to make it effectively 6.
  
  --
  This space unintentionally left blank.
48. Re:Microsoft seem determined by antdude · 2013-06-27 17:25 · Score: 1
  
  Nah, it's not porn for me. However, "using their keyboard in an unconventional manner" -- yes especially with loud clicky keyboards. ;)
  
  --
  Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
49. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-27 17:26 · Score: 1
  
  Okay, so it was built by 15 year old girls who live in concrete cages in some Texas hellhole.
  (Is "Texas hellhole" redundant?)
50. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Scarletdown · 2013-06-27 17:38 · Score: 1
  
  I'm partial to my iRiver Clix. Bought the 2GB version and the car cig lighter adapter for it shortly after I got back from Afghanistan back in 2006. 7 years later, it is still serving my music needs just fine when I'm out and about.
  And a check on Google Shopping seems to indicate that it is still holding a fairly decent value for its age.
  
  --
  This space unintentionally left blank.
51. Re:Microsoft seem determined by The+Cat · 2013-06-27 18:18 · Score: 1
  
  Texas has child labor laws, dipshit
52. Re: Microsoft seem determined by Therad · 2013-06-27 18:18 · Score: 2
  
  oh, they tried. but the assassin got a chair in his face.
53. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Andtalath · 2013-06-27 20:10 · Score: 1
  
  This is not market speech.
  This is a rude nerdish remark.
  If I ever saw a better evidence than someone being rude for not being a shill, I didn't notice it.
54. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-27 20:25 · Score: 1
  
  Your keyboard sucks.
  
  Which part of "Microsoft Product" did you not understand?
55. Re:Microsoft seem determined by polyp2000 · 2013-06-27 21:17 · Score: 1
  
  No - I dont think thats true - that would imply that losing Steve Job's made an improvement to Apple in some way . I think that since the new poster boy took the helm they have just got even worse.
  
  --
  Electronic Music Made Using Linux http://soundcloud.com/polyp
56. Re:Microsoft seem determined by jellomizer · 2013-06-27 21:25 · Score: 2
  
  Today?
  This has been around as long as technology.
  Remember the old Nentendo game pads. You couldn't plug them into a Sega, Atari or a PC.
  The PC joystick port was all weird.
  I had an old Amstrad 512cpc as a kid. It had a special mouse and keyboard and monitor connector. (It could use Sega and Atarti controllers though. )
  
  --
  If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
57. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Cryacin · 2013-06-27 22:26 · Score: 1
  
  yeah, think different, just as long as you think like us.
  
  --
  Science advances one funeral at a time- Max Planck
58. Re:Microsoft seem determined by lxs · 2013-06-27 22:33 · Score: 1
  
  So these girls escaped the perils of begging and child prostitution and got a real job instead? That's great!
59. Re:Microsoft seem determined by AmiMoJo · 2013-06-27 22:39 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  To me the whole point of a playing a video game instead of going outside is that I can run like a world class athlete by pressing B. Kinect breaks that.
  
  --
  const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
  SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
60. Re:Microsoft seem determined by AmiMoJo · 2013-06-27 22:45 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  The XBOX 360 pads used a cryptographic handshake to make sure no unauthorized 3rd party could make their own. It would be easy to make it work the other way too, i.e. prevent the Kinect working on a PC without doing the handshake which relies on a secret key hidden in the XBone.
  It took maybe 5 years for a Chinese company to make their own 360 controllers. Presumably the DRM on the new hardware will be better protected.
  
  --
  const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
  SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
61. Re:Microsoft seem determined by RaceProUK · 2013-06-27 23:43 · Score: 2
  
  Except that Apple doesn't have proprietary connectors.
  Name any smartphone that uses an iPhone connector, but isn't an iPhone. I won't wait though - still got another 50+ years on this planet, and I aim to use all of them.
  
  --
  No colour or religion ever stopped the bullet from a gun
62. Re:Microsoft seem determined by RabidReindeer · 2013-06-27 23:46 · Score: 1
  
  Except that Apple doesn't have proprietary connectors. The problem is that MS is aping what Apple is doing way after it has become clear that it was a huge success. Apple also has lots of failures, Microsoft is just very risk averse and they don't want to take any risk in order to innovate.
  More Coke on the keyboard!
  Apple doesn't have "proprietary connectors" simply because Apple's self-designed connectors are proprietary solely to Apple devices.
63. Re:Microsoft seem determined by JohnnyMindcrime · 2013-06-27 23:49 · Score: 1
  
  That one always puzzled me too...
  There's an intrinsic reason why most gamers are fat bastards (me included incidentally), we don't like to move around much.
  If every game had to be played with Kinect, I think I'd give up gaming and go ride my bicycle - because at least I'd still get to sit down on my fat arse while exercising...
  
  --
  Windows 10 is great - I used it to download Linux.
64. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-27 23:56 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  * by pressing Q, W, O, P.
65. Re:Microsoft seem determined by RabidReindeer · 2013-06-27 23:57 · Score: 1
  
  Looking at your posting history, I'm guessing that you are a Microsoft employee. If this is true, then you really should be disclosing this fact. If not, then you are a very passionate Microsoft fan, and should be getting paid for your constant adulation!
  Sadly, the pay scale for "useful idiots" has never been that good, no matter what cause they espouse. It's why so many people who protest in favor of benefits for the wealthy couldn't themselves be mistaken for wealthy in a windowless coal cellar at midnight.
66. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Bill_the_Engineer · 2013-06-28 00:48 · Score: 1
  
  I think he meant that all Apple products come with a standard USB, firewire, or thunderbolt cable or use standardized wireless protocols like BT or WiFi.
  
  --
  These comments are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of my employer or colleagues...
67. Re:Microsoft seem determined by RaceProUK · 2013-06-28 00:54 · Score: 1
  
  If iPhone used USB, then you wouldn't need one of these.
  
  --
  No colour or religion ever stopped the bullet from a gun
68. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-28 00:55 · Score: 1
  
  It's not for me. People are different. I would love games to be as immersive as possible, even if that includes physical activity. For me its not about avoiding physical activity, it's about doing it in a more fun way.
69. Re:Microsoft seem determined by partyguerrilla · 2013-06-28 01:30 · Score: 2
  
  Cure, he's trying to cure pancreatic cancer.
70. Re:Microsoft seem determined by jandrese · 2013-06-28 02:06 · Score: 2
  
  I'm confused, if a connector designed by one company and used only by that company is not a proprietary connector, what is?
  
  --
  
  I read the internet for the articles.
71. Re:Microsoft seem determined by jandrese · 2013-06-28 02:08 · Score: 1
  
  Because Microsoft has a vision where the Kinect is always and forever hooked up to the XBone, so allowing it to be used on a PC wouldn't make sense. It would break your console. So instead they're going to make one for a PC that you can buy that won't leave a XBone orphaned when you try to use it that way.
  
  --
  
  I read the internet for the articles.
72. Re:Microsoft seem determined by RabidReindeer · 2013-06-28 02:49 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  I'm confused, if a connector designed by one company and used only by that company is not a proprietary connector, what is?
  Well, if you're a proper Apple fanboi, it's a Universal Connector!
73. Re:Microsoft seem determined by tlhIngan · 2013-06-28 03:40 · Score: 1
  
  To me the whole point of a playing a video game instead of going outside is that I can run like a world class athlete by pressing B. Kinect breaks that.
  Who said Kinect required people to get their asses off the couch? There's certain a few games that do, but you'd be hard-pressed to accidentally buy "Dance Central" and expecting it to be a couch game. (Heck, I think Microsoft created a little box for the specs of the game called "activity level" to indicate how lazy you could be).
  Kinect, even the original, is not like Move or Wii - it doesn't REQUIRE people to get off the couch. A game could use it for that purpose, but there are plenty of ways it can be used to augment the gaming experience on the couch.
  What we've seen with a few games that are "Kinect enhanced" is just scratching the surface. We could add features like peering around walls simply by leaning. Or hiding behind cover simply by ducking a little bit (motions you probably *already* do involuntarily).
  Heck, if you were playing a baseball game, Kinect could be used to read your finger motions to communicate to the pitcher.
  And that's the beauty of Kinect over Move or other systems - it can be used at the same time as the controller. You'd use the controller for your main gaming, while Kinect adds to it.
  Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a way to get Kinect to respond to a gesture to order a pizza while in game without breaking out of the game nor getting off the couch. Like say, sticking your hand in the air and saying "I want pizza!".
74. Re:Microsoft seem determined by timeOday · 2013-06-28 04:45 · Score: 1
  
  You made me curious so I googled it: TechInsights' teardown uncovered within Kinect a Marvell PXA 168 applications processor.
75. Re:Microsoft seem determined by mordenkhai · 2013-06-28 04:54 · Score: 1
  
  Interesting, thanks for the new info!
76. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Bill_the_Engineer · 2013-06-28 05:22 · Score: 1
  
  If you actually owned an iPhone, you'd know that it comes with a 30-pin to USB cable.
  
  --
  These comments are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of my employer or colleagues...
77. Re:Microsoft seem determined by RaceProUK · 2013-06-28 05:38 · Score: 1
  
  Oh, how silly of me. I mean, it's not like all other phone makers have standardised on Micro USB.
  Oh, wait, they did.
  
  --
  No colour or religion ever stopped the bullet from a gun
78. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Bill_the_Engineer · 2013-06-28 12:21 · Score: 1
  
  You do realize that the actual article is talking about Xbox One Kinect will have a non-standard connector and not offer a method of connecting to a PC?
  That is totally different than what "Spy Handler" was accusing Apple of doing. Don't let the details of the actual article interfere with your Apple bashing.
  
  --
  These comments are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of my employer or colleagues...
79. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Vlado · 2013-06-28 21:16 · Score: 1
  
  it comes with a 30-pin to USB cable.
  So you answered yourself then... Apple uses a proprietary connector, that is converted to USB.
  And that goes for both the old and a new version of the connector.
80. Re:Microsoft seem determined by RaceProUK · 2013-06-28 21:42 · Score: 1
  
  You do realise Spy Handler said nothing about what Apple does? Instead he said MS was copying Apple.
  
  --
  No colour or religion ever stopped the bullet from a gun
81. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Bill_the_Engineer · 2013-06-30 03:34 · Score: 1
  
  You must be using a different definition of "copying". Since if the complaint is with "B" for copying "A" then you must have the same complaint with "A".
  The difference between Apple and MS is subtle. Apple uses a proprietary connector on its mobile products to create an accessory market that the competitors can't take advantage of. Apple doesn't prevent the users from using the product with this connector by actually providing an adapter cable. The fine article above is talking about Microsoft making a proprietary connector for Kinects and not offering an adapter with the intent of preventing the Kinect from being used on the PC. MS probably has a PC version in the works and don't want the one that is on the XBox One to cannibalize its sale.
  
  --
  These comments are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of my employer or colleagues...
82. Re:Microsoft seem determined by RaceProUK · 2013-06-30 03:40 · Score: 1
  
  You're so right! How dare MS try to make a profit?
  
  --
  No colour or religion ever stopped the bullet from a gun
83. Re:Microsoft seem determined by Bill_the_Engineer · 2013-06-30 05:35 · Score: 1
  
  Now you're being silly. Profit was never discussed, nor do I see a problem with MS making a profit.
  
  --
  These comments are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of my employer or colleagues...
84. Re:Microsoft seem determined by RaceProUK · 2013-06-30 05:36 · Score: 1
  
  Yeah, it was a bit silly. And I think we've deviated too far from the original discussion.
  
  --
  No colour or religion ever stopped the bullet from a gun
Not proprietary for long by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-27 09:56 · Score: 5, Insightful

How much you want to bet it's just USB with a funny shape on the end
1. Re: Not proprietary for long by Joe_Cody · 2013-06-27 10:00 · Score: 1
  
  nail on head
2. Re:Not proprietary for long by dgp · 2013-06-27 10:04 · Score: 1
  
  I agree, the 4 USB lines are bound to be in the connector. I believe the original kinect connector also had lines for extra power, and other useful stuff. There are some legitimate reasons for a new connector, but lock-in sure seems like a major factor. Adapting to a PC USB should be easy.
3. Re:Not proprietary for long by ericloewe · 2013-06-27 10:18 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  The PC Kinect will use USB 3.0, no word on power delivery, but it could be through said USB 3.0 connection. The Xbox One version won't be very different, I guess, but they might complicate things with different protocols and out of spec stuff on the Xbox One.
  I guess we'll quickly know if they just used a proprietary connector and kept everything else.
More assholery from MS by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-27 09:57 · Score: 1

Translation: We did a much better job with the DRM. If you want to use it on a non-walled-garden PC you have to pay us much more.
If I may be allowed a shameless pun... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-27 10:00 · Score: 5, Funny

...It seems Microsoft is dis-kinected from fans.
1. Re:If I may be allowed a shameless pun... by UltraZelda64 · 2013-06-27 10:18 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Not if it's dis-kinected from the wall outlet first.
Adapters by onyxruby · 2013-06-27 10:01 · Score: 1

How long until the first USB / Kinect adapters pop up? Standards are a wonderful thing and should be honored.
1. Re:Adapters by Bearhouse · 2013-06-27 10:31 · Score: 2
  
  Indeed - so is entrepreneurship. I'm sure some Chinese cable producer is gearing up right now.
  Why the heck MS need to go to an additional expense just to upset their customers eludes me...unless, of course, the windows/USB version will be much more expensive? FTA the only way to get it (so far) is via a 399 'developers kit' bundle...madness...
  Of course the real stupidity is that the vast majority of people would never had transferred the thing between two devices anyway
2. Re:Adapters by The+Cat · 2013-06-27 11:05 · Score: 1, Troll
  
  Yeah because there sure as FUCK won't be an AMERICAN producer gearing up for anything, now would there?
  If China decided to stop making toilet paper, America would be covered in shit in 36 hours. This country has become so fucking worthless its comedic.
3. Re:Adapters by dufachi · 2013-06-27 11:23 · Score: 1
  
  nah, they make AMERICAN toilet paper. It's that stuff that splinters off in your arse when you wipe; generally referred to as "John Wayne Toilet Paper"
  
  --
  -Kinsey
4. Re:Adapters by The+Cat · 2013-06-27 11:23 · Score: 2
  
  If there is a legal reason to keep an American company from building it, there's a legal way to stop a Chinese company from importing it. See Nokia and the iPhone/Samsung cases for details.
5. Re:Adapters by drinkypoo · 2013-06-27 12:16 · Score: 1
  
  Paper products are one of the few things we still make here. TP in particular is often made out of pretty nice trees, because they make pretty nice asswipe. Too bad we don't just have bidets, which get your asshole cleaner than rubbing it with disintegrating paper anyway.
  
  --
  "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
6. Re:Adapters by DNS-and-BIND · 2013-06-27 14:55 · Score: 1
  
  Go ahead and try to start a factory in America today. Go ahead, I dare you. You'll be shut down by lawsuits before you ever break ground. There's a reason all of our production moved to China, and it's not just labor cost.
  
  --
  Shutting down free speech with violence isn't fighting fascism. It IS fascism!
7. Re:Adapters by DNS-and-BIND · 2013-06-27 14:57 · Score: 1
  
  Spoken like a true ignorant European. In fact, American toilet paper is top-class. Quilted, triple-ply, thick...it's like wiping your ass with a cloud. Go to other countries and you find out real fast just how low quality T.P. gets. That's not even counting the places that put a roll on the dinner table for use as napkins.
  
  --
  Shutting down free speech with violence isn't fighting fascism. It IS fascism!
In ther news by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-27 10:07 · Score: 1

MSG (microsoft glass) will only record while you poop
1. Re:In ther news by pecosdave · 2013-06-27 11:05 · Score: 2
  
  That's because they need inspiration for Windows 9.
  
  --
  The preceding post was not a Slashvertisement.
Re:Ok by CanHasDIY · 2013-06-27 10:29 · Score: 1

The shitwolves.
Yer fuckin' losing it, Lahey.

--
An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
Wont work or can't work? by flimflammer · 2013-06-27 10:49 · Score: 2

Just because Microsoft isn't providing the adapter means little.
Yay! by bmo · 2013-06-27 10:58 · Score: 1

It's just like the good old days with DEC and the Connector Conspiracy!
--
BMO
Good news by PopeRatzo · 2013-06-27 11:04 · Score: 1

I'm glad to hear that the new Kinect will have proprietary connectors. It saves me from the worry of somehow missing the Microsoft logo and accidentally plugging one into my PC instead of throwing it into the trash after smashing it with a sledgehammer and soaking it in a bucket of salt water.
I'm a big game fan, but I will not touch an xbone or any of it's evil peripherals.
I remember a few years ago, reading Cory Doctorow's Little Brother and thinking it was an overwrought bit of dystopian fiction. Now it reads like contemporary history.
I know we're all supposed to be too busy and too well-entertained to care, or to notice, but fuck if I'll participate in this corporate police-state. Turns out there's a whole lot of gadgets I can live without.

--
You are welcome on my lawn.
I just bought a Kinect for PC by Mike+Blakemore · 2013-06-27 11:06 · Score: 5, Interesting

There are some differences between the PC version and the Xbox version. The PC version has "upgraded" firmware that allows for gesture recognition at closer proximities. Also, its about $100 more than the Xbox Kinect.
I'm now using it for speech and gesture recognition in Touch Control System (TCS): a 3D game engine built for controlling electronics.
http://hyperplaneinteractive.com/blog/tcs-in-depth/
1. Re:I just bought a Kinect for PC by PPH · 2013-06-27 13:05 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  Just thinking out loud: The Xbox Kinect might be more (or less) than a Windows Kinect with an oddball connecter. Its possible that some of the Windows Kinect firmware functions have been moved into the Xbox and the Xbox Kinect lacks those functions. And can't be upgraded.
  Sort of like the old Winmodems.
  
  --
  Have gnu, will travel.
2. Re:I just bought a Kinect for PC by Mike+Blakemore · 2013-06-27 14:54 · Score: 1
  
  Software emulation would explain the price difference. This would also give Microsoft the ability to deliver new Kinect functionality to the Xbox as the SDK is developed without firmware updates. Probably better than bricking people's Xbox Kinects.
3. Re:I just bought a Kinect for PC by drinkypoo · 2013-06-28 00:21 · Score: 1
  
  The existing Kinect already does most of the processing on the 360, and not in the Kinect. That's why Kinect games will always suck compared to non-Kinect games. I suspect this is true of the new unit as well, otherwise it would simply be expensive to produce.
  
  --
  "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
Boycott Microsoft. by tuppe666 · 2013-06-27 11:18 · Score: 3, Insightful

You guys do realize they are making Kinnect for Windows available separately right? who gives a shit if you can't plug in the one from your Xbox.
People who were planning on Gaming on Microsoft's(not your) Console and on Microsofts' (not your)PC, and don't want to spend twice as much money, on something they may not want or need.
That said none standard connectors are just shitty, for a whole host or reasons.
Is the interface proprietary? by Animats · 2013-06-27 11:19 · Score: 1

The real question is whether the electrical interface is proprietary. Worst case, there's an encrypted handshake, like Nintendo cartridges or HDCP. But probably not.
Not the second coming by tuppe666 · 2013-06-27 11:23 · Score: 1

Xbox is sold at a loss and subsidized by the expectation of future game sales.
Lets not get ahead its a PC in VHS case, massively overpriced compared to the competiton. Having none PC connectors is kind of sad.
Makes absolute sense, technically. by goruka · 2013-06-27 11:40 · Score: 3, Informative

For those of us who worked with Kinect, we know very well all of it's limitations. It's a promising technology but it's still very green and far from what it is advertised as. It pretty much only works if you are looking to the camera and waving your hands and legs. Any attempt to turn sideways or even put your hands together completely confuses the heck out of it (check their technology demo videos, such scenarios are all purposely avoided).
There's even open source implementations of the pose recognition that work better (though they need calibration).
By making it XB1 only hackers will not be able to see how much it really improved (likely not much judging by their videos). So far from what I can tell, only the APIs improved so it's easier to get data from it (full matrices, motion vectors and strain, which you could easily compute yourself anyway), and some stuff was added to detect heart and blood rate (likely based on this MIT stuff. That's pretty much it.
1. Re:Makes absolute sense, technically. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-27 13:39 · Score: 1
  
  There's even open source implementations of the pose recognition that work better (though they need calibration).
  There's even open source implementations working without pose recognition or calibration. Just like that. Wow! openni.org
2. Re:Makes absolute sense, technically. by guruevi · 2013-06-27 16:35 · Score: 1
  
  This stuff has been done in labs for years though. I work with something akin to a Kinect (it has a SCSI-2 adapter, that's how old it is) and it does the exact same thing, it can detect movements as small as 1mm, it even looks like a Kinect only it's 3 camera's and laser equipment are about 2 feet apart each (the entire thing is a 2m (wide) x 20cm (tall) x 40 cm (depth) square tube) and it needs an entire room dedicated to the movement. Scaling that down is fairly simple and as you said, there are open implementations for it. The use cases for it in home hacking and entertainment are very limited, nobody wants to be waving and dancing at their machine like a trained monkey to make it do things.
  
  --
  Custom electronics and digital signage for your business: www.evcircuits.com
Oh no by atari2600a · 2013-06-27 11:54 · Score: 1

They found out that surely no one would attempt to cut off the proprietary connector & wire in a standard USB A connector with what is probably the same color-coded wiring! I'm ESPECIALLY sure no one will wire it as a Y cable, using the original connector you cut off & a donor USB cable, thereby retaining compatibility w/ the Xbox One. They've completely ruined our ability to provide easy-to-follow howtos involving wire strippers & heatshrink tubing for a permanent neatly-bound PC-compatible cable with the instructions on how to find & install the drivers on the same page!
Oh really? by uutf · 2013-06-27 12:09 · Score: 1

Challenge accepted!
Will the Leap Motion make them change their minds? by MSRedfox · 2013-06-27 13:16 · Score: 2

With the Leap Motion coming out soon, I wonder if its sales will put pressure on Microsoft release a PC adapter (or at least a cheap version of the Kinect for PCs). A link about the Leap Motion for those who haven't heard of it: https://www.leapmotion.com/
Ouya for me by tuppe666 · 2013-06-27 13:27 · Score: 1

I assume you mean compared to the $400 PS4....Take off the shit-colored glasses..
No I bought an Ouya I got it yesterday :), although I'm keeping an eye on the PS4 as its looking better than its previous offering. I am also interested in The (as yes vapourware) Google console...but we will have to wait and see.
Re:Selective quoting for the win... by Omestes · 2013-06-27 15:00 · Score: 2

I'm not justifying MS, but the optics are probably going to be different. For a PC you want your focal planebeing rather close (1-3', perhaps), with a Xbox Whanot, you want it substantially further out. It would probably be a pain to include the hardware to allow it to switch focal plane, since that would require more advanced lenses with moving parts, and smarter firmware to drive it and differentiate between optimal planes, basically standard autofocus, which is a actually a pretty complex trick. Given this capability, it would drive up the price and be largely wasted since most people would just keep it on one device and never need it to be able to function in the other scenario.
Further, the PC version might be beefier, since PC drivers and applications are more complex, and have more possibilities than limited consoles.
Personally MS dropped the ball by not having a PC Kinect when Win 8 came out. There always is Leap Motion... oh wait... nevermind, that appears to be vaporware now... Well, there is a release date, but who knows at this point...

--
A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government. -edward abbey
Apple excuse is getting tired by tuppe666 · 2013-06-27 16:29 · Score: 2

Your computer was ASSEMBLED in TX. The motherboards and all the components are made in the Far East, mostly China. You're part of the "problem" whether you want to admit it or not. (I don't think there is a "problem" though)
Why do you assume that to be the case? Intel have Fab sites in Oregon; Arizona; Ireland; Israel, Samsung manufacture chips in Austin...Hell even Sony Manufacture in Wales (They make the Pi :). The reality the measure of manufacture is not to make every part....manufacturing does not work like that :) A complex device can be made from thousands of parts...here is your Car anaology ;) http://abcnews.go.com/WN/MadeInAmerica/page/made-america-car-american-made-13795239
The bottom line is people in America not china are paid. How about you encourage it.
Re:The reason they don't use USB is bandwidth rela by guruevi · 2013-06-27 16:36 · Score: 1

lol, it needs more than 480Mbps? Or more than 4.8Gbps for USB3?

--
Custom electronics and digital signage for your business: www.evcircuits.com
I'm 51 years old... by JohnnyMindcrime · 2013-06-27 23:38 · Score: 2

...I've played and worked with computers for about 40 of them.
Mouse and keyboard will do me as input devices until the day I die, maybe a little bit of touchscreen and some voice input for the future to waken the good-for-nothing idle teenage carer to empty my bag.
I'm buggered if I'm going to start deleting words in vi by lifting one leg in the air and gyrating my plastic hips three-times in a clockwise motion.
Oh, and get off my lawn.

--
Windows 10 is great - I used it to download Linux.
1. Re:I'm 51 years old... by SuiteSisterMary · 2013-06-28 02:48 · Score: 1
  
  Maybe the Kinect can be programmed to identify your age by the onion on your belt (as that was the style of the time) and automatically, for example, increase the font size on your screen. Stuff like that.
  
  --
  Vintage computer games and RPG books available. Email me if you're interested.
Proprietary connector? Blast you MS! by LoRdTAW · 2013-06-27 23:52 · Score: 1

If only there were some type of device which used two sharp edges and some sort of lever action to remove such "proprietary"plugs.
Good news, everyone by drinkypoo · 2013-06-28 00:41 · Score: 1

I have good news for you: The privacy problems with Kinect are related to the software, not the hardware or the firmware. Hobbyists and roboticists can use Kinect without fear of sending pictures of your peepee to Microsoft.

--
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
1. Re:Good news, everyone by PopeRatzo · 2013-06-28 05:39 · Score: 1
  
  Still, if it means supporting Microsoft, I can't do it.
  
  --
  You are welcome on my lawn.
Foild by a connector? by morgauxo · 2013-06-28 00:48 · Score: 1

I'm sure the people who got into plugging their Kinects into things other than the X-box that it was marketed for will not be stopped by a mere connector. If it's still electrically USB then no doubt they will just cut the end off and attach a real USB plug. Those who still want to use it on the XBox can always attach a USB socket to the connector that they cut off to make an adapter to go back to the XBox.
Some time after we see articles about people doing this all over Hackaday cheap Chinese XBox connector to USB adapters will start showing up on Ebay requiring no cutting.
Product Protection by DarthVain · 2013-06-28 03:14 · Score: 1

This is what I see.
Microsoft intentionally would tie the kinect to the Xbox One, because they know by forcing the inclusion of the device will likely create an overabundance of kinect devices that are not being used that people will want to get rid of. If they are also trying to sell them for PC, they had to make them non-interchangeable as otherwise the cheap secondhand marke that will come into being due to the forced inclusion with the Xbox One will generate would totally cannibalize all their potential sales.
Standards only go so far by default+luser · 2013-06-28 05:28 · Score: 1

So let's say they use a standard USB 3 connector. Standard bi-directional data links, standard power.
What if the communication over that standard USB interface is encrypted? Hackers could possibly find an exploit, but it won't be available tomorrow, or possibly even a year from now.
They could easily implement this for the Xbone version and turn it off in their (encrypted) ROM on the PC version.

--
Man is the animal that laughs.
And occasionally whores for Karma.
every post i read by KingBenny · 2013-07-06 19:55 · Score: 1

makes me want the nextbox less. What is going on with microsof in the past years they somehow seem unable to adapt to the present state of affairs where they no longer hold the key to the monopoly on everything.
this kind of buy what we tell you doesn't really work in a competitive world, i can't fathom how they think it will just because they used to be able to. I don't get it, maybe it's a nice example of how tradition can be the end of some things i don't know.
so far sony wins on about every point of pr, the only minor i've seen is they would implement the same system as xbox live gold for people who want to play online. It's not clear if you could get it for periods of a month or if you have to buy a year at a time (which would be bad since i'm so antisocial i usually only play online to get missing multiplayer achievements in games i REALLY like)
So, to me there's only one valid reason to get a console these days and that's : Harada Tekken. Available on both, i'm neither a U.S. or japanese patriot so i'm not bound by tradition to buy one or the other and so far the ps4 wins on all sides (and before someone feels insulted, my view is shared by more than all my split personalities here so you could say the sum is somewhat the product of mis-management and unadaptive strategies a.k.a being stuck in the past and therefor losing more since unable to give up or budge just one metre until the next one bumps you from the throne and you lose it all ... i've lost track of the gremmar again in the last sentence imma stop

--
Free speech was meant to be free for all... how can anyone grow up in a nanny state ?