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Microsoft Kinect hacked to work with Linux

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Just a few hours ago a video surfaced on Twitter that showed the Microsoft Kinect sensor working on a PC running a Linux open source driver, just 3 hours after the European launch. The driver manages to read the input from both the video and the depth camera on the Kinect, making the information available to PC software. This was done using an open source driver now available online. Of course, this has no immediate use for you and me, but it's the first step that can lead to many cool things. Ever since Kinect was announced, people have commented that it could be used for a myriad of scenarios, such as a cheap motion capture device for animators, or a security system, which could recognize familiar faces and block intruders. Now that it's been demonstrated that the system can indeed be hacked into and linked to a normal PC, expect more code to be written to take advantage of these features in the coming months.

Read More | Open Source Kinect driver

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Kinect Munich launch brings Stachus gate to life

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Culture, Microsoft, Xbox 360

Dutch sweetheart Sylvie van der Vaart joined shoppers in Munich's famous Karlsplatz to create a breathtaking piece of interactive, art inspired by Kinect. State of the art technology allowed shoppers to take control of the iconic Stachus gate, bringing the ancient medieval structure to life by jumping, dancing, waving and gyrating. Definitely a cool sight to behold.


Kinect for Xbox 360 review

kinect review

Kinect has been a product that Microsoft has been betting on and hyping for about a year and a half now, ever since revealing Project Natal at E3 2009. The motion sensing gaming peripheral is finally available, and despite some initial concerns, our minds are blown. Kinect definitely feels futuristic once you start playing around with it, but is it worth the $150 price? Read on for our thoughts and Kinect review.

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Unboxing Live 066: Kinect for Xbox 360

Microsoft has been hyping Kinect for Xbox 360 for about a year and a half now, and it's finally arrived. Our Kinect review is just about ready, but in the meantime, enjoy the unboxing video. We give you a look at the Kinect sensor, the pack-in title, and the differences between setting up Kinect with an original Xbbox 360, versus one of the new Xbox 3360 S models.

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Kinect sensor unboxing gallery

We got our hands on the Kinect sensor for Xbox 360 a day before launch, and we've been putting the motion gaming peripheral through its paces for the past five days now in preparation for our Kinect review. It'll be up later today, but in the meantime, we figured we'd share some unboxing shots of the Kinect unit. It's deceptively larger than it appears to be in product shots--it's a substantial piece of technology. It matches up perfectly with the redesigned Xbox 360 S model that was introduced back at E3 as well. Get a look at all the shots in our Kinect unboxing gallery.

Gallery: Kinect sensor unboxing gallery


Holiday Gift Guide 2010: Kinect for Xbox 360

kinect for xbox 360

Microsoft's been hyping up Kinect for over a year now, and the motion sensing Xbox peripheral has finally arrived. Our verdict? We love it, and it feels like the future. If you know anyone with an Xbox 360 console who doesn't have Kinect, then we'd recommend putting this one on your gift list. The Kinect sensor costs $149.99, and includes Kinect Adventures, a disc full of mini-games that let you try out a bunch of Kinect's features. You can also do video chat with other Kinect users and Windows Live users as well, and you get voice control over your Xbox 360. Seriously, this is the video game accessory to have this holiday season--especially during your holiday parties with friends and family around.

Aside from the sensor itself, here are a few Kinect games that we think are worth picking up as well:

Dance Central
Kinectimals
Your Shape Fitness Evolved

Of course, in order to take advantage of Kinect, you'll need an Xbox 360 console. If you don't already have one, Microsoft is selling consoles bundled with Kinect.

Read More | Kinect

Microsoft Kinect NYC launch event

Posted by Patrick Lambert Categories: Microsoft, Video Games, Videos

Microsoft launched their new Kinect motion sensor at midnight last night in New York City at the Toys R Us in Times Square, and the scene looked quite unreal. Streets were blocked off, long lines could be seen, and dancers wearing "You are the controller" t-shirts entertained the crowd. Overall, the launch appears to have gone smoothly and thousands of people are now discovering this new way to game on their Xbox 360 consoles. If you weren't part of the midnight crowd, you can still get yours for $149 at your local gaming store. For now, check out the video after the jump from one of the many who were outside in the mob.

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Mandatory Xbox Live update coming Nov 1st

Posted by Patrick Lambert Categories: Microsoft, Xbox 360, Xbox Live

Nov 1 2010 xbox live update

If you've been waiting for the Fall 2010 Xbox Live dashboard update to drop, tomorrow is the day, just in time for the launch of Kinect. This'll be a mandatory update, and anyone who refuses to get it will find themselves unable to connect to the service. According to the message Xbox Live users are receiving in their inboxes, the update will also add minor changes the Dashboard so that: "You will notice a change to the layout of the Xbox LIVE Dashboard, a new color scheme, and new fonts being used.

If you want a look at all the new features the update will bring to your Xbox 360, hit our video after the jump.


Xbox 360 Kinect Edition appears on store shelves early

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Microsoft, Xbox 360

Xbox 360 Kinect Special Edition

Okay, so Kinect is the next big thing from the Xbox team over at Microsoft, and the launch is scheduled for November 4th here in the USA. You'd think that'd mean that you'd be unable to get your hands on one until then, but thanks to some slip-ups at select retail locations, you may very well be able to get ahold of Kinect starting today. As you see above, one store has mistakingly put out the 250GB Xbox 360 Kinect Special Edition on the sales floor. Now, we're not saying that it's time for you to start calling around or anything, but if you happen to be hearing to a WalMart or Target type of place, you may wanna give the video game section a glance.


Buy 2 games, get 1 free next week at Target

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Hot Deals, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360

Buy 2 get 1 free games target

Looking to pick up a gaggle of games for yourself, or for loved ones for the holidays? You'll wanna plan to hit up Target next week, as they are having an awesome "Buy 2, Get One Free" sale, and it applies to all games, including brand new titles. With all the new hotness that's being dropped on us so far in October and early November, this is the place to be if you wanna pick up at least two new games (Kinect, anyone?). So, what are you gonna get?

Read More | GTR

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