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Kinect For Windows Is Dead; Long Live Kinect For Windows Via USB

Posted by timothy on from the sir-this-teapot-may-not-be-able-to-weather-the-tempest dept.

puddingebola writes Microsoft has announced it will no longer manufacture Kinect for Windows. Only the Xbox One version will be available for purchase. Microsoft said it could not meet demand for the device, a strange claim for a company to make. The console version, though, will still work with Windows by way of a USB adapter, and as pointed out by this similar story at Gamespot, for about the same total price.

3 of 45 comments (clear)

  1. You don't need the (expensive) adapter by ckatko · · Score: 2, Interesting

    You can easily splice the cable. All it needs is a 12-volt power supply (@ ~1-2 amp) and a proper USB connector (instead of their proprietary one). I've got one on my desk right next to me. It was a simple solder job.

    I imagine the Kinect One has a similar setup.

    The point is, it doesn't matter if Microsoft cares about supporting robotics students anymore, or anyone really. The hardware is easily adaptable, and plenty of smart coders have already made Linux drivers.

    As long as those idiots keep manufacturing the hardware, we can keep using it. Regardless of their open-promise bullcrap.

  2. Obvious bullshit statement by ilsaloving · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The statement is obviously bullshit, but the question then is, "What is the real reason?"

    Possibilities include:
    1. Everyone is buying Windows Kinect because it's fun to hack around with, but very little of that is translating into stuff they can make money from. Kinda like the way Sony removed Linux support from the PS3 because people were buying PS3s, putting Linux on them, and then not buying games.
    2. Some Microsoft exec saw how Apple is outshining everyone else, and people are continuing to buy Apple stuff despite them restricting all their products, and thought that Microsoft needs to get in on that action.
    3. The different products are actually virtually equivalent except for the adapter, so it doesn't make sense to have two different lines. But if that was true, why wouldn't they just come out and say that? (Note, this isn't mutually exclusive from #2)
    4. Some other reason I can't think of?

    1. Re:Obvious bullshit statement by ericloewe · · Score: 3, Interesting

      It is number 3. They've had the adapter for a long time. They're just not packaging the same thing (with a different logo on the front) in two slightly different ways now.