Microsoft Research is collaborating with the company’s Interactive Entertainment Business to provide a free Kinect-for-Windows software development kit. They are planning to release it later this spring with “academic researchers and enthusiasts” in mind.
A second, commercial version of the SDK is coming sometime “later.” Microsoft wasn’t willing to divulge any information about this other than its existence. The simple heads up is appreciated, though.
Clearly, this is a good move for Microsoft. We’re already seeing an incredible amount of potential realized by projects created without any official kits; imagine what’s in store for Kinect once the audience of tinkerers expands later this year.
