What is Microsoft's Kinect?

Microsoft Kinect (formerly Project Natal) is a new system designed by Microsoft for the XBOX 360 - it is essentially a system for controlling the XBOX 360 without a controller - using a camera and a microphone it is the next generation motion detector! Microsoft Kinect looks like a must buy for Christmas 2011.

Imagine a gaming console where you don’t need a controller; imagine moving around your living room, and having an on-screen avatar follow your every movement. Imagine talking to the console and having it respond logically and instantly to your voice.

Microsoft surprised everyone; rather than coming out with a motion capturing controller, they changed the playing field – they created a system that captures movement but requires no hand held controller.

A camera senses your body in full three dimensions and transfer this to the XBOX 360. Microsoft Kinect is far more than a simple camera though; it features a RGB camera, a microphone that can detect and recognize voices, and a depth sensor that combines with the RGB camera to track movement in three dimension.

Even more impressive is the ability of the camera to recognize moods.

This innovative piece of hardware is likely to take the console out of the hands of a few gamers and place it front and center in the living room. In fact, the uses are not limited to games. Just think about the implications for education – you can now perform chemistry experiments safely on a video console.

Time will tell if Micorof Kinect revolutionizes the gaming industry, but from the video demos it certainly looks impressive.

When Nintendo introduced their innovative console, the Wii, it surpised both Microsoft and Sony - now that Microsoft have launched the innovative Microsoft Kinect, it'll be interesting to see how Nintendo and Sony react:

• Sony have introduced their Move controller in 2010. It also uses a camera to interact with the user but still requries a controller to get full functionality - initial reviews have suggested that it is far more accurate than both the Wii and Microsoft Kinect.
• Nintendo have recently released an upgrade to their Wii controller, however they haven't announced any other improvements to the controller or the Wii to compete with Microsoft Kinect. There are rumors of a new Wii, but so far nothing concrete is known about it.

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