Microsoft has announced that it will discontinue selling original Kinect for Windows sensor in 2015 in a bid to boost adoption and development of the second version of its Kinect for Windows.
Redmond said with October release of the Kinect for Windows v2 sensor, it now intends to end sales of its first-gen device in 2015. Kinect for Windows v2 offers enhanced body tracking, full 1080p HD video, an expanded field of view, new active infrared capabilities and greater depth fidelity.
“The move to v2 marks the next stage in our journey toward more natural human computing,” Microsoft noted in a statement.
“The new sensor provides a host of new and improved features, including enhanced body tracking, greater depth fidelity, full 1080p high-definition video, new active infrared capabilities, and an expanded field of view. Likewise, SDK 2.0 offers scores of updates and enhancements, not the least of which is the ability to create and publish Kinect-enabled apps in the Windows Store.”
For those who still rely on the Kinect v1 for Windows, the Redmond has advised them to buy as many as they need, and soon, since it won’t make any more once the existing stock is gone.
“We hope everyone will embrace the latest Kinect technology as soon as possible, but we understand that some business customers have commitments to the original sensor and SDK. If you’re one of them and need a significant number of original Kinect for Windows sensors, please contact us as soon as possible. We will do our best to fill your orders, but no more original sensors will be manufactured after the current stock sells out.”
However, Microsoft said it will continue to sell the Kinect v1 for the Xbox 360 presumably as long as the Xbox 360 is for sale.
