Microsoft shows off Kinect for Windows version 2 hardware
Microsoft is inching closer toward releasing the second version of its Kinect for Windows sensor.
On March 27, the company posted images of the new Kinect for Windows v2 sensor itself, as well as the hub and power supply for the device.
The second-generation Kinect for Windows sensor looks a lot like the Kinect for Xbox One, except that it says "Kinect" on the top panel, and the Xbox stylized green "x" is a "simple, more understated power indicator," according to a new blog post. The image of the new Kinect for Windows sensor is embedded in this post above.
The new Kinect for Windows hub and power supply are pictured below. The hub, the top image, accepts three connections: The sensor, USB 3.0 output to PC and power. The power supply, which supports voltages from 100 to 240 volts, is the bottom image.
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.
Preview participants are experimenting on a range of business and consumer applications that might make use of the updated Kinect. Here's what some Razorfish developers built as a proof-of-concept with the preview hardware and software.
Microsoft released the first-generation Kinect for Windows product in early 2012.