Kinect For Windows v2, the PC version of Xbox One‘s Kinect 2, is now available and priced at £159/€199/$199. You may have noticed that this is actually cheaper than the original Kinect For Windows, this is because it doesn’t include any software or the developers license which has to be purchased separately. The developers license allows anyone creating games or apps using Kinect For Windows v2 to make them commercially available.
The Kinect For Windows SDK 2.0 is free however and can be downloaded by clicking here: Kinect For Windows SDK 2.0 (This SDK can only be used with Kinect For Windows v2.)
Here are more details from the Microsoft Store and the full price list which includes European countries who were smart enough to not join the EU or at least not adopt the Euro. You can click on the “Microsoft Store” for your country on the list:
Build natural interface apps
The Kinect for Windows v2 sensor gives developers more of the precision, responsiveness and intuitive capabilities they need to develop interactive voice- and gesture-based applications for the Windows desktop and Windows Store. The v2 sensor is intended for use with the Kinect for Windows software development kit (SDK) 2.0. Learn more at the Kinect for Windows Dev Center.
Note: The Kinect for Windows v2 sensor does not ship with any software. It is intended for use with the Kinect for Windows SDK 2.0 (licensed separately) and will operate only with applications developed for Kinect for Windows v2. Developers can use the Kinect for Windows SDK 2.0 to build applications with C++, C#, VB.Net, Cx, or JavaScript.
System Requirements
Supported Operating System
Windows 8, Windows 8.1
Hardware Requirements
Your computer must have the following minimum capabilities:
- 64-bit (x64) processor
- Dual-core 3.1-GHz or faster processor
- Dedicated USB 3.0 bus
- 2 GB RAM
- A Microsoft Kinect for Windows v2 sensor
Kinect For Windows v2 Price List
Commercial SKU |
New price in local currency |
Microsoft Store |
|
| Australia | 74Z-00003 | AUD199.00 | Microsoft Store |
| Austria | 74Z-00005 | EUR199,00 |
Microsoft Store
|
| Belgium | 74Z-00005 | EUR199,00 |
Microsoft Store
|
| Canada | 74Z-00001 | CAD199.00 |
Microsoft Store (EN)
Microsoft Store (FR)
|
| China | 74Z-00009 | CNY1,459 |
Microsoft Store
|
| Denmark | 74Z-00005 | DKK1.549,00 |
Microsoft Store
|
| Finland | 74Z-00005 | EUR199,00 |
Microsoft Store
|
| France | 74Z-00005 | EUR199,00 |
Microsoft Store
|
| Germany | 74Z-00005 | EUR199,00 |
Microsoft Store
|
| Hong Kong SAR | 74Z-00002 | HKD1,544 |
Microsoft Store (EN)
Microsoft Store (CH)
|
| Ireland | 74Z-00002 | EUR199,00 |
Microsoft Store
|
| Italy | 74Z-00005 | EUR199,00 |
Microsoft Store
|
| Japan | 74Z-00001 |
Coming Soon
|
|
| Mexico | 74Z-00001 | MXN2,688.00 |
Microsoft Store
|
| Netherlands | 74Z-00005 | EUR199,00 |
Microsoft Store
|
| New Zealand | 74Z-00003 | NZD246.00 |
Microsoft Store
|
| Norway | 74Z-00005 | NOK1.696,00 |
Microsoft Store
|
| Singapore | 74Z-00002 | SGD265.00 |
Microsoft Store
|
| Spain | 74Z-00005 | EUR199,00 |
Microsoft Store
|
| Sweden | 74Z-00005 | SEK1.725,00 |
Microsoft Store
|
| Switzerland | 74Z-00005 | CHF179.00 |
Microsoft Store (DE)
Microsoft Store (FR)
|
| United Kingdom | 74Z-00002 | GBP159.00 |
Microsoft Store
|
| United States | 74Z-00001 | USD199.00 |
Microsoft Store
|
Personally, I can’t believe that Microsoft created a proprietary connector for the Xbox One’s Kinect 2 so that it couldn’t be connected to PCs, considering all the incredible “Kinect hacks” that were created with Kinect 1. Especially since independent developers can self-publish games on Xbox One via ID@Xbox that include Kinect 2 support. (I know developers get an Xbox One devkit that includes Kinect 2 if they join ID@Xbox, but some people may want to just experiment with Kinect 2 ideas before they actually commit to a game and join the programme.)
It seems as backwards as Microsoft’s recent decision to release Kinect-less Xbox One SKUs. I’m a little worried about the current decision makers at Microsoft and hope they’re replaced or come to their senses soon! Do you agree? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: Microsoft Store, Kinect For Windows at Microsoft.com
