Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox is expected to have its Kinect heavily integrated into the system, but the company is looking past the home console market to have computers rely on it as well.
Microsoft’s TechFest is going on this week and the company is showing an updated version of its SDK which will introduce some new hand-gesture functionality to their programs. The new SDK will allow developers to have the user pinch-to-zoom with their hands and the ability to pan around the screen, all of which is done by waving and clenching their hands. Halfbrick’s Jetpack Joyride was demoed featuring the new Kinect SDK in order to show how games can make use of the new technology.
As neat as it sounds to be waving your arms around to interact with your PC, we think the novelty of the feature will get old really quick as interacting with your computer isn’t as thrilling as moving your body around to a dancing game. We know a number of you will most likely invite your friends or potential girlfriends/boyfriends over to show off what your PC-connected Kinect can do, but will probably decide to switch to your keyboard and mouse after building up a sweat from waving your arms around for four minutes straight.