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Microsoft Kinect for Windows v2 sensor available for preorder for $199

Microsoft's second-generation Kinect for Windows sensor will be available to developers, alongside a new software development kit, in July.
Written by Mary Jo Foley, Senior Contributing Editor

Microsoft is making its Kinect for Windows v2 sensor available for preorder as of June 5.

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The sensor costs $199 and is orderable through Microsoft Stores. (A price list for other countries is here.)

Sensors purchased during the preorder period will be shipped in July, 2014, according to Microsoft. According to the Microsoft Store entry I see, the release date here is July 15. At that time, Microsoft plans to release a public beta of the accompanying software development kit (SDK) for the devices. The SDK 2.0 will be licensed separately. Developers can build applications for the new sensor with C++, C#, or Visual Studio Basic by using Microsoft Visual Studio 2010, according to the company.

General availability of the sensors and the SDK will happen "a few months" later, officials said in a blog post. Officials showed off earlier this year the new sensor design, as well as the hub and power supply.

The second version Kinect for Windows sensor includes increased depth-sensing capabilities, full 1080p video, improved skeletal tracking and enhanced infrared technology, Microsoft officials said.

Microsoft launched its closed Kinect for Windows v2 developer program last summer. Developers received an alpha version of the sensor hardware, along with early access to the software development kit, and a promise of a final version of the Kinect for Windows v2 hardware at no additional cost.

At that time, company officials said the second generation Kinect for Windows product would be available by summer 2014.

Microsoft released the first-generation Kinect for Windows product in early 2012.

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