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 +
Whatever Microsoft pioneers, Apple sooner or later seemingly reproduces (and visa versa). Earlier today, I mentioned that Microsoft's just-released Kinectanimals for Windows Phone game title leverages front-facing image sensors on smartphones for gesture interface purposes. Judging from a recently filed patent, Apple has similar aspirations…or at least wants to use its intellectual property as leverage
Products Versus Patents: Does Apple Also Plan Gesture-Enhanced Handsets? 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 +
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 +
Back in early August on this site, as well as a few weeks later in BDTI's monthly email newsletter, I mentioned that Microsoft had recently made two notable embedded vision announcements: Releasing the Kinect SDK for Windows Beta in mid-June, followed by Unveiling the Kinect Services suite for Robotics Developer Studio 2008 R3 in mid-July
Microsoft Robotics Studio 4: A Beta That Moves Kinect-Based Embedded Vision Forward Read More +
This is a busy week in tech, with calendar-contending conferences from both Intel (the yearly Developer Forum) and Microsoft (BUILD, formerly known as the PDC i.e Professional Developers Conference) in progress here in the United States, along with Qualcomm's IQ2011 in Istanbul. I'm not in Anaheim (BUILD) or San Francisco (IDF), far from Istanbul, but
Gesture-Based Interfaces: Industry Commitments and Investments Read More +
The IEEE Hot Chips Conference has historically been a can't-miss event for me each year, but I wasn't able to attend this year's 23rd iteration held last week. Tipped off by a 'tweet' from a former co-worker, I realized too late that Microsoft was on the program, discussing the objectives and implementation of the Kinect
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