In a "treat, not trick" move appropriate for the day (Halloween) in which it occurred, Microsoft officially announced on October 31 that (as had already been suspected) it is planning to release a commercial version of the Kinect SDK early next year. As I mentioned in earlier coverage, the current "beta" tag translates into a […]
When it rains, it pours. That's the thought I keep having of late, as announcement after announcement validates the burgeoning trend of using cameraphones' image sensors for gesture interface purposes. One week ago, for example, I mentioned the Windows Phone-based version of Kinectimals. Later that same day, I pointed out some patents (both applied for
I've often heard it claimed that Microsoft's Research Labs is the only remaining substantial-sized industry R&D arm, subsequent to the demise of Bell Labs and the downsizing of folks like Xerox PARC. While I don't have any particular interest in confirming or refuting the claim, what I will say with confidence is that the multi-site,
A Microsoft Research Mashup: Kinect + Augmented Reality = A Holodeck Mockup Read More +
One notable optics omission from Nokia's first two Windows Phone O/S-based handsets, a writeup on which I just published, is that they don't include the front-facing cameras which Windows Phone v7.5 supports for the first time, and which other OEMs are including in their new "Mango"-based handsets. The omission is especially surprising given that Nokia's
Microsoft Kinectimals: Gesture-Based Interfaces Come To Smartphones Read More +
Two weeks back, I discussed how Microsoft was "maturing" the Xbox 360 Kinect experience by integrating support for the peripheral in an increasing number of new games, including adult-tailored titles such as Forza Motorsport 4. More recently, Microsoft took the broadening aspiration in the other direction, partnering with three other companies to create content targeting
Kinect For Kids: Microsoft Partners with Sesame Street, National Geographic And Dis(ney) Read More +
Per last Wednesday's writeup on Google's unveiling of "Ice Cream Sandwich" Android 4, which embeds both facial detection and recognition facilities, I've subsequently come across some additional details which I thought would be of interest to you: AnandTech published a solid summary of the new O/S release, which it based in part on the 4.0
Info On Android v4: Google Gives Us More Read More +
After delaying the introduction of "Ice Cream Sandwich" one week out of respect for Steve Jobs' passing, as well as relocating the event from San Diego to Hong Kong, Google unveiled Android 4.0 last night in conjunction with showcasing its premier hardware implementation, the Samsung-designed Galaxy Nexus. Ironically, considering that just a week ago I
Embedded Vision And Android 4: More Features Galore Read More +
As I've mentioned with past regularity, video surveillance and analytics technology is increasingly being used by law enforcement agencies worldwide to assist in the identification and prosecution of wrongdoers; via facial recognition, for example, or emotion discernment, or database searches for clothing matches, or license plate optical character recognition. And other, not-yet-discussed implementations of the
Embedded Vision: Primed To Take A Bite Out Of Crime Read More +
Speaking of Kinect…considering the prevalence of cameras now built into smartphones, tablets, and the bezels of laptops, all-in-one desktops and standalone computer displays, I've long waited for software developers to harness the hardware potential in identifying and reacting to who's currently in front of the image sensor. For example, wouldn't it be cool if my
User Identification And Response: Early Indications Of A Renaissance Read More +
While Kinect is an impressive embedded vision hardware achievement, both in an absolute sense and particularly when considering its price tag, the software that harnesses its potential has to date been (at least in this observer's mind) a bit underwhelming. Granted, titles such as Kinect Sports are a lot of fun. But they're…gimmicky. And they're
Microsoft’s Kinect Gets Better: Forza Motorsport 4 Is A Go-Getter Read More +
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