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.
Peter Molyneux expresses interest in revisiting his infamous project Milo, believing that with today's advanced technology, it could finally fulfill its original promise of an emotional and immersive experience, especially with improvements in hardware and AI like large language models.
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.
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.
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.
