Tag

Kinect

All articles tagged with #kinect

Nex Playground: Kinect-inspired motion gaming for the whole family
gaming26 days ago

Nex Playground: Kinect-inspired motion gaming for the whole family

Engadget’s review of the Nex Playground finds a $249 motion‑tracking box that brings Kinect‑like family play to your living room, supporting up to four players with easy setup, offline play, and a solid library of kid‑friendly titles. Yet its biggest flaw is the ongoing cost: most games require Nex Play Pass subscriptions ($89/year or $49 for three months) plus a $29 Sports Pack, and there’s no option to buy games individually. Still, polished hardware and continuous updates make it a compelling, family‑oriented alternative to traditional consoles.

Nex Playground Outshines Xbox as Holiday Favorite
technology2 months ago

Nex Playground Outshines Xbox as Holiday Favorite

The Nex Playground, a Kinect-like gaming device, outsold Xbox Series X|S hardware in the US for November, highlighting the appeal of affordable, family-friendly gaming devices during the holiday season, despite overall low hardware sales. The device, priced at $250 but often on sale for $200, features body-tracking capabilities and a subscription service, and has even surpassed sales of major console bundles for a week.

"Apple Rumored to Develop Kinect-Like Technology Based on Abandoned Microsoft Concept"
technology1 year ago

"Apple Rumored to Develop Kinect-Like Technology Based on Abandoned Microsoft Concept"

Apple is reportedly considering adding a built-in camera to its upcoming Apple TV, potentially expanding the FaceTime feature. This move could have parallels to Microsoft's abandoned Kinect and Skype integration for Xbox, leaving Microsoft users without a similar option. The potential integration of a camera into Apple TV aligns with the company's focus on creating a seamless ecosystem across its devices, while Microsoft's approach to device connectivity differs.

The rise and fall of Microsoft Kinect: A retrospective
technology2 years ago

The rise and fall of Microsoft Kinect: A retrospective

Microsoft is discontinuing the Kinect once again, ending production of the Azure Kinect Developer Kit. However, the company has partnered with external companies to offer alternative options for those in need of similar devices. The remaining Azure Kinect Developer Kits will be available for purchase until the end of October or until supplies last. Existing users can continue using their devices without disruption. Microsoft assures that this decision does not mark the end of the technology, as it will still be available through their partner ecosystem. One suggested alternative is Orbbec's Femto Bolt, which utilizes the depth camera module found in the Azure Kinect Developer Kit.

Xbox One: Ahead of Its Time or a Missed Opportunity?
gaming2 years ago

Xbox One: Ahead of Its Time or a Missed Opportunity?

The Xbox One was both ahead of its time and a disaster. It predicted the future of gaming consoles becoming all-in-one entertainment boxes, but explained and implemented the vision poorly. Its attempt to handle the upcoming digital age with a bizarre hybrid between disc and digital affected game sharing and resale. The idea of always online gaming was not right for 2013, and the Kinect was a disaster that raised the console's price $100 over the PS4.