Microsoft officially demonstrated Kinect earlier today, and already third-party accessory maker Mad Catz has announced a line of molded plastic for use with the new motion-control peripheral. Excuse me while I put on my surprise face.
The accessories, ranging in price from $14.99 to $49.99, are simply various bases on which to mount the Kinect unit. There is an adapter that allows you to attach any ol’ camera tripod underneath, a floor stand, and a wall bracket. I suppose these are ideal solutions for people who lack space in their media center, but are they really worth the price tag? Call me ghetto, but I find duct tape to work wonders in these situations.
If you are interested in picking up one of these, they will be available right alongside Kinect when it launches on November 4th.
Mad Catz® Announces New Range of Accessories Compatible with ‘Kinect’™ for Microsoft® Xbox 360®
New Range of Accessories Expected to Ship in time for the launch of Kinect, Expected November 2010
San Diego, June 14. 2010
Mad Catz® Interactive, Inc. (“Mad Catz” or “the Company”) (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider, today announced a new range of accessories compatible with Kinect for Microsoft Xbox 360 (formally known as ‘Project Natal™’). The accessories are expected to ship world-wide alongside the official launch of Kinect, expected November 2010.
The new range of accessories will focus on offering gamers a multitude of options in the placement and positioning of the camera unit hardware, essential to enjoying the new entertainment experiences promised by Kinect.
Products expected to launch as part of the range are as follows:
· Mad Catz Base Adapter for Xbox 360 Kinect
Ideal for those who have no obvious free standing space available to mount the Kinect camera unit, the Base Adapter fits securely on to the underside of the camera unit, allowing connection to any standard camera tripod. Simple, yet ingenious, the Base Adapter provides a cost effective and elegant solution to those with custom TV installations.
MSRP: $14.99
· Mad Catz Floor Stand for Xbox 360 Kinect
For those who don’t wish to permanently mount their Kinect camera unit, or for those who have no obvious space available, the Floor Stand includes a stable, weighted base, a 2.5ft central mounting pole and an in-built Base Adapter, providing an all-in-one solution for mounting and enjoying the Kinect system.
MSRP: $29.99
· Mad Catz Flat Panel Mounting Bracket for Xbox 360 Kinect
An ideal and elegant solution to those with flat panel televisions, the Flat Panel Mounting Bracket allows users to safely mount their camera unit above or below their television sets, sitting into a custom bracket which connects to most standard screw holes located on the rear of standard flat panel televisions. Compatible with the majority of existing television wall-mount brackets, the Flat Panel Mounting Bracket features an innovative ‘pass-thru’ design, allows users to connect to pre-existing TV wall-mounts or simply by itself should users display their in a free standing position. Featuring a solid, durable metal construction, and complete with all standard fittings, the adjustable design ensures compatibility with a wide variety of TV makes, models and sizes (please check compatibility before purchase).
MSRP: $49.99
Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz commented, “The new range of accessories we are announcing today will allow a wide audience to enjoy the new entertainment possibilities promised by the Kinect system, and we are delighted to be able to support this new technology from day one with a range of affordable and innovative mounting solutions.”
