Microsoft at its Build Developers Conference 2014 revealed some more details about Kinect for Windows V2 sensor including some of its features, and its tentative release date.
The Kinect for Windows V2 sensor along with its SDK will arrive in next few months, with no exact date apart from 'this summer' . The developers, upon the release of SDK files, can start making Windows Store apps for Kinect.
"We are delighted that it's now on the immediate horizon-with the ability for developers to start developing this summer and to commercially deploy their solutions and make their apps available to Windows Store customers later this summer," stated the official Kinect for Windows blog post.
The Kinect for Windows V2 features enhanced "colour fidelity, video definition, field of view, depth perception, and skeletal tracking" as compared to its predecessor. The enhancements are rated to deliver better response time and an improved voice and gesture experience for the users. The sensor additionally includes full-HD video for quality augmented reality scenarios and wider field of view, improved skeletal tracking and new active infra-redetection for better tracking in low-light.
Microsoft says apps made using the Kinect for Windows V2 SDK will feature in the Windows Store. The company also promised support for the Unity development platform next summer. The Kinect for Windows V2 SDK also features 'improved anatomical accuracy' according ot Microsoft, tracking up 25 joints per person. The company is also touting simultaneous, multi-app support for the platform.
Kinect for Windows V2 was unveiled last month as the Kinect team showcased the final images of the sensor giving its fans an idea how the product will look like.
The Kinect for Windows v2 sensor is nearly identical to the Xbox One Kinect sensor in terms of its looks, with two tweaks - the top panel now has a 'Kinect' printed, while the green coloured 'X' icon seen on the Xbox One's Kinect has been replaced by a simple white-coloured power indicator.
In addition to its Kinect for Windows V2 at Build 2014, Microsoft also introduced the much anticipated Windows Phone 8.1 OS.
Catch the latest from the Consumer Electronics Show on Gadgets 360, at our CES 2026 hub.