310°

Microsoft's Research Depth Enabled Kinect

People in the Xbox business unit researched the concept and determined it couldn't be done, Craig Mundie, Microsoft's chief research and strategy officer said. "They concluded it was impossible. It wasn't going to work,".

But then they decided to approach workers in Microsoft's research arm. Researchers there in a wide array of fields including depth sensing, machine learning, speech recognition, gestural interface, computer vision, identity recognition, sound processing and parallel computing got together to build what is now known as Kinect.

5440d ago Replies(4)
Seijoru5440d ago

They didn't conclude it was impossible lol, they concluded that it wouldn't give the kind of experience a real gamer could enjoy. At most Kinect is just a machine made for shovelware and at the least for things like headtracking and navigating menus.

a_squirrel5440d ago

I really can't see me playing halo with this. Just sayin'

XactGamer5440d ago

I can't see you playing Halo period.

talltony5440d ago

Sony passed on this tech. It just isn't practical but Microsoft didn't care they thought they could sell the idea that "you are the controller anyways"'kinect just isn't practical.

Chaostar5440d ago

"Few companies have the research depth to build something like Kinect..."

But two passed on the technology first?

"Microsoft came up with the concept behind Kinect..."

Who are they trying to fool or do they actually believe MS invented this tech?

Just seems like there's a lot of misinformation creeping around the interwebs involving Kinect. Why can't they just focus on what it can actually do, which, at the minute, isn't much. The tech is just not ready for advanced interation with computers... maybe with a decent internal chip and a few other hardware revisions future versions of these cameras may have a lasting inpact on the industry but not right now.

dizzleK5440d ago

speaking of misinformation-

"Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata was offered the chance to sign up the device that became Project Natal - but turned it down as he didn't believe he could launch it at a mass-market price."

http://www.computerandvideo...

it was passed up on by nintendo because they couldn't sell it cheaply enough, not because it was sh*t.

Silver3605440d ago

MS purchased 3DV but they are using Primesense' tech so it isn't the same tech that Nintendo was shown. According to the article PrimeSense is even providing the chips for Kinect.

blackpanther255440d ago (Edited 5440d ago )

"Iwata-san only ever invests in something he can guarantee will work for a Nintendo audience," the exec told us.

"He also had some worries around latency during gameplay."

from the same article.....not saying natal is crap but for for argument purposes read your source

DJMarty5440d ago

Sony also passed on Kinect tech, because it was very limited. And guess what it turns out Kinect has huge limitations, namely it don't work with most genre's.

Buttons & triggers are needed, gestures don't cut it.

nveenio5439d ago

Sony passed because they knew the tech wouldn't support the hardcore market. Microsoft doesn't support the hardcore market, and that's why they picked it up. If they DID care about the hardcore market, they wouldn't build machines that break if you play them too much.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 5439d ago
Blaze9295440d ago (Edited 5440d ago )

"Microsoft came up with the concept behind Kinect..."

Who are they trying to fool or do they actually believe MS invented this tech? "

seems you are the one being fooled yourself. How does coming up with a concept translate to inventing the tech? Coming up with the Kinect concept, of course Microsoft came up with the concept behind it. It's FOR the Xbox 360 and what it does and will do is MICROSOFT's concept of what they need/want it to do on the Xbox 360. From the Kinect dashboard, using it to video chat with LIVE and MSN members, ESPN use, etc. that is all Microsoft's CONCEPT for Kinect.

No one said they invented the technology....

Chaostar5440d ago (Edited 5440d ago )

@Blaze The concept of controller free gaming using a camera device was NOT concieved by Microsoft. The Eyetoy is proof of this but I'm unsure if Sony even came up with this concept themselve either.

As for voice recognition, thats been done before too obviously. My point stands, Microsoft didn't create a new concept, they applied an old one to their own product.

How am I wrong?

Edit: Oh I see, I put tech when I meant concept, my bad... but they didnt come up with the concept either.

@dizzleK Did I say they passed because it was sh*t? no, so don't project your anger.

Triella5439d ago (Edited 5439d ago )

Loads of bullshit MS didn't reserach anything and didn't come with any concept ... they just bought the cam makers and licenced the techno from other companies.

Do you know how many companies work with Z-cam motion sensing control ? Here are just a few :

Gesturetek (software licenced to MS)
Mesa
PMD Technologies
Canesta
Willow Garage
3DV (bought, killed and buried by MS)
Prime Sens (which received a $20 milion funding by MS)
Tzyx
Hokuyo
Sick

etc.

DelbertGrady5440d ago

Here they come again. Brace yourselves.

MariaHelFutura5440d ago

What are you talking about?

Kinect sets itself up to fail, that people like to talk about it shouldn`t be surprising. It looks like a massive waste of time when MS/360 only owners were hyping it up like it`s god`s gift to gaming. Most 360 owners on this site don`t even find it attractive....at all.

R2D25440d ago

you only posted your hate for MS like a million times in every Kinect article.

MS is teh evil and they want to control us by using Jedi mind tricks.

TheColbertinator5440d ago

Just because you hate Kinect doesn't mean you hate MS.I know many people who are still picking up Gears 3 and Halo Reach but not Kinect.Maybe some gamers dont want to play Kinect dancing games

IdleLeeSiuLung5440d ago (Edited 5440d ago )

It's as if Kinect raped your sister, killed your parents and is now the hero!

It's an accessory, if you don't like it go play with your Xbox 360/PS3. Do we really need the same trolls uttering the same comment every time a Kinect article comes up?

Megaton5440d ago (Edited 5440d ago )

Bubbles for Colbert. Everyone I know with a 360 thinks it's a joke, but that doesn't mean they like their 360 any less. They'll all still be buying their Halos, Gears and Fables. I just don't see how anyone not employed by Microsoft can honestly defend it based on what has been shown. Unless that kinda family-friendly shovelware is just your style, in which case I gotta wonder how you stumbled upon a site like this.

MicroSony4Life5440d ago

be new here. Have you seen Maria's comment history, clearly a PS3 troll who hates the Xbox.

For some reason I think GWAVE and MARIA are the persons.

TheColbertinator5440d ago

@MicroSony

No I have been in this site since early 2008 and I have seen all kinds of trolls come and go.I know who are the true trolls of this site and Maria cannot compare with the worst trolls on N4G.

Its just another day,another trolled Kinect article on N4G.

MariaHelFutura5439d ago

Thanks Steven. BTW, anyone who want to add me on XBL send me a PM. I only have XBLS though.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 5439d ago
trane075440d ago (Edited 5440d ago )

You're already here mr uno bubbles. Pot can't call the kettle black. You OF ALL people have got no room (or bubbles) to make such a statement.

insomnium5439d ago

Can you people remember the way Soda acted when Ghostbusters was found to be inferior (before the update) on PS3?

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5440d ago
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260°

AMD CEO Shares Vision Behind Xbox Partnership and Next-Gen Chip Roadmap

AMD CEO Lisa Su talks about the Xbox AMD partnership, next-gen Ryzen + Radeon chips, and AI rendering tech coming to all Xbox devices.

Read Full Story >>
clouddosage.com
Obscure_Observer3d ago

AMD is really building hype around their unique partnership with Microsoft to help and build an advanced and seamless Xbox ecosystem across all Xbox consoles and devices.

I wonder what she meant by "full roadmap of gaming optimized chips" though? Seems ambitious.

Next year´s Xbox Showcase already looks promising and exciting. Here´s hoping they deliver.

InUrFoxHole2d ago

They had best show 3yrs in a row. Heading for another

VenomUK2d ago

Obscure_Observer said “I wonder what she meant by "full roadmap of gaming optimised chips" though? Seems ambitious.” To me, I interpret this to mean rather than having a couple of X/S products for launch and a handheld there is a longer term plan to release new products with higher specs at timed intervals. I’m speculating of course, but this could mean a spec bump every year or two, so that even if the PS6 or Steam Deck Home is released a year after ‘Xbox’ Microsoft can release an updated model that has a higher spec.

Agent752d ago

But Microsoft forgot the games.

KwietStorm_BLM2d ago

It's X3D chips for console. Everyone knows this. And it's been rumored in the PS6 forever.

Ganif2d ago

Correct.

"Sony's PlayStation 6 reportedly will feature an AMD semi-custom APU with a Zen 5 CPU and UDNA GPU, capable of 4K 120FPS and 8K 60FPS gaming. The console will include X3D cache and advanced AI upscaling technology."

https://www.tweaktown.com/n...

Obscure_Observer2d ago

"It's X3D chips for console. Everyone knows this. And it's been rumored in the PS6 forever."

I doubt that AMD´s CEO would waste her time making this huge and important partnership announcement over a tech that will be 7 years old by the those next gen consoles will be released.

Notellin2d ago

You should have just lead this comment with the fact that you have zero understanding of technology in the consoles and instead have a Toms Hardware online forum level of education.

Agent752d ago

But Microsoft forgot the games

Obscure_Observer2d ago

@VenomUK

"I’m speculating of course, but this could mean a spec bump every year or two, so that even if the PS6 or Steam Deck Home is released a year after ‘Xbox’ Microsoft can release an updated model that has a higher spec."

Very interesting theory. Still not sure how MS would actually make it work.

KwietStorm_BLM1d 21h ago

"I doubt that AMD´s CEO would waste her time making this huge and important partnership announcement over a tech that will be 7 years old by the those next gen consoles will be released."

How old is the tech in consoles? It's not a huge announcement. It's marketing and you know it is.

Obscure_Observer1d 2h ago (Edited 1d 1h ago )

"How old is the tech in consoles? It's not a huge announcement. It's marketing and you know it is."

Dude, what I know for certain is that a tech as old as X3D chips which is actually *older* than both PS5 and Xbox Series consoles, is hardly the reason behind this new partnership between AMD and MS to build new *custom silicon* for next generation of consoles.

And yes it´s a huge announcement since AMD is working closely with MS to co-develop custom SoC which will allow backwards compatibility across all MS´s next gen devices allowing seamless integration between devices and full backwards compatibility across all generations of Xbox consoles.

I also know is that this announcement don´t have anything to do with Playstation and their strategy with AMD for the PS6, so stop comparing the two pretending that you know what´s going on, because you clearly don´t.

If Sony is working on something remotely similar, that´s remain to be seen.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1d 2h ago
Fishy Fingers3d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Some odd, deliberate wording, no branding, not 'Xbox consoles, Xbox handhelds' specifically, feels and sounds like they're building towards hardware that anyone can be used or licensed to/by themselves and other manufacturers.

Multiplatform software and hardware 'Xbox/AMD APU'.

Obscure_Observer2d ago

I guess you missed Sarah Bond´s next generation Xbox announcement this week, were she clearly states:

"I´m thrilled to share that we´ve established a strategic multi-year partnership with AMD to co-engineer silicon across a portfolio of devices, including, *our* next generation *Xbox consoles*."

But hey, I don´t think you´re entirely wrong, maybe MS will build their own Xbox consoles while licencing other manufactures to build and sell their own Xbox branded consoles. Who knows

BeHunted2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

I think you watched the wrong video. It's below the description, or you can watch it directly on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/kprpRvsOua...

HyperMoused2d ago

Shares vision....we provide chips for money, this deal will sell many chips, we will make lots of money...good vision

Christopher2d ago

The marketing behind this is so heavy that I worry about the actual outcome. Why are they just not showing us the product, why all this talking in market speak?

Lightning772d ago

Probably because the next xbox isn't ready to release yet?

The marketing and rumors seem to be heavy out of no where. The rumor was a 27 release but it maybe it could be 26 new console launch instead.

Who knows.

Eonjay2d ago

There PR is alrways super heavy handed. No one is acutally buying an Xbox as is.
Also it is very early to be talking so much about a next gen console.

Obscure_Observer2d ago

There´s a lot of people interested on Xbox Next and its ability to run games from major stores like Steam.

We know that the PS6 is just around the corner as well, but so far, no news on what it might improve over the PS5 or PS5 Pro.

However, Sony already made public that their priority and actual focus is the PS6. So its not "very early" to talk about next gen when the very console manufactures are talking about it.

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210°

Activision Forces Adverts into Call of Duty Black Ops 6 and Warzone Loadouts

With the launch of Call of Duty Season 4, Activision quietly put adverts inside loadouts for Black Ops 6 and Warzone, sparking a backlash in the process.

21d ago
21d ago
lukasmain21d ago

Putting Ads in a pay-to-play Premium title? Well done Microsoft. Well done /s This is really scummy.

jjb198121d ago

This game will never change because these sweatlords love buying up all the skins and bundles that become obsolete the following year. They're the ones perpetuating Activision's greed.

VenomUK20d ago

If Microsoft introduces adverts into its other games I hope it can do them without disrupting the immersion of the game world. So for example in the new Fable game it would look out of place if there was a billboard advertising Cadillacs.

A far better way to do it would be to have a wizard conjure a 'dream cloud' in front of your character and then in the cloud you can see the Cadillac car and see the text with price and availability and hear a booming sales voice promoting the car. That would work so well as it wouldn't be a billboard and completely, 100%, fit in with your character's adventuring in Albion. Doesn't that sound so much better?!

crazyCoconuts20d ago

@venom, or how about our of 100 farts in Albion, 1 of them has a Cadillac pop out

VenomUK20d ago

@crazyCoconuts That’s undeniably off-beat - but it could really work!

21d ago
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410°

Xbox's first-party handheld has been sidelined

Xbox's handheld ambitions continue unabated, but the focus is shifting towards improving Windows 11 for third-party handhelds — for now. The Xbox Series X 'Melrose' successor is safe, with development continuing at full pace.

Read Full Story >>
windowscentral.com
23d ago
23d ago
23d ago
shadowT23d ago

Is there really a market for handhelds next to mobile?

Vits23d ago

If they run the same games as the main home console, then yeah, sure.
But if they need specially tailored games just for them? Probably not, unless there isn't a home console for comparison (see Switch).

RaidenBlack22d ago (Edited 22d ago )

I am kinda low-key happy this happened.
Dont want another Series S situation (games to be designed from 4 to 12TF scale and not 10 to 12TF).
Hope PS follows suit as well. Tablet SKU sharing with console for 10th gen, will just continue the cross gen -esque development/design phase/nature.
Want a proper 20+ only TF rasterized next-gen plz (+ frame-gen and the lot).
If anybody wants to continue the cross-gen, the Series S|X, PS5 will remain for that. And Switch 2, if you gotta go even lower in the TF range.

ABizzel123d ago

Yes and No. All of the PC handhelds combined have struggled to sell 7 million units, which would be a flop for any “console”. So the market is extremely niche because of price and target market (the informed hardcore gamer / casuals aren’t picking these up).

These handheld PCs are $500 or more, and offer at best Xbox Series S performance levels, so it’s best for MS specifically to just partner with ASUS, instead of investing millions if not billions.

Sony can make their own with custom AMD hardware due to their partnership, and stronger global brand for hardware. But even then it brings the question, of being a lower resolution PS5, and what does that mean for PS6 cross-gen (likely another generation where the first 3 - 4 years are just upgraded last-gen games).

Kosic23d ago

Imagine a Wii U style console, where the tablet doesn't rely on the console it's self, you download the game on the console under the TV and play in 4k glory, then you can remote play, get some unique game features if using both console and handheld in tandem. Then you can download the games in 720-1080p to play on the go, continue your progress, and continue on the TV when you get back.

Sony could get away with this due to exclusives, and that would be a reason for sales. Look at the portal.

I can picture seeing new hardware having some sort of GPU dock, where the handheld runs 1080p, and the dock has additional hardware to bring in 4k/60 specs.

I do think handheld gaming is going to be a strong future, imagine Nintendo release a new upgraded GPU dock for the Switch 3, every 2 years. More frames, sharper graphics on the same game for an extra £150 for a dock with a built in GPU chip. Console cycles doesn't have to be renewed, just the hardware can be improved by them reselling docks to us again and again with small/yearly upgrades like mobile phones.

GamerRN22d ago

Did you just imply that Sony can make a better stronger handheld than Microsoft? You do realize we are talking about Microsoft, the tech giant, right? If Microsoft can't make one that's cost effective, Sony definitely can't...

Brand and market share means nothing when you are a trillion dollar company

ABizzel122d ago

@GamerRN

It has nothing to do with what company can do it, or what company can spend.

For anyone taking a basic business class there is a term called ROI, and Xbox home consoles are selling at an all time low, meaning their ROI on a handheld is a risk that doesn’t make sense, even if they can afford it. Businesses are there to make money and it doesn’t make sene for MS to invest in a handheld that’s a companion device when their current home consoles they’ve spent 20 years working on are at an all time-low, when they can invest with little risk with what ASUS already has to offer.

This is why Sony can build a better device, because they have less risk involved, meaning they can invest more in their own product, and they already have an exclusive partnership with AMD on creating features and hardware. So in this specific case, YES Sony can built a better handheld, due to custom hardware, customer tools, low level APIs, compared to an off the shelf product running Windows or a Window Xbox kernel =.

TheEroica23d ago

I play steam deck primarily... Don't play consoles or mobile. The deck covers it all.

badz14922d ago

@shadowT

The Switch is a handheld, so will the Switch 2. what are you on about?

Cacabunga22d ago

To run native games offline? Anytime

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 22d ago
CrashMania23d ago

Funny to see the alt already damage controlling and having a meltdown with multiple accounts in the comments already.

Sad for MS if true, a dedicated handheld would go down a lot better than a rog ally 2 with an Xbox sticker on it I think.

crazyCoconuts23d ago

It couldn't have succeeded for a number of reasons. Now they've retreated to the Windows front and trying to keep that relevant for gaming. How long before Windows Central realizes there won't be a real console successor to Series X either?

Lightning7723d ago

Except there is. That project is reportedly full speed ahead.

Outside_ofthe_Box23d ago

@Lighting77

So was the handheld until today...

Lightning7723d ago

@outside obviously not since they sidelined it and they wanna see how the Asus does. Are you saying they're gonna cancel the next console?

crazyCoconuts23d ago

@lightning - I'm admittedly trying to box you in here - Do you think the next Xbox console will have Steam on it?

Outside_ofthe_Box23d ago (Edited 23d ago )

@Lightning

Here we go with having to spell everything out.

If I told you yesterday that Xbox was going to sideline the handheld console what would your response have been? Probably something along the lines of "I doubt that since Phil has been talking about it for some time now"

My point is just because they are "full speed" ahead now does not mean that will not change in future. As we have seen with the handheld. Do you understand what I'm trying to say now?

Lightning7722d ago (Edited 22d ago )

Box me in? No you said the same thing you've always been saying for years now. Those are the rumors to have Steam integration.

What about it

If you told me they were gonna cancel it tomorrow it would nothing more than fanboy talking points. I only wait for credible sources not what someone else says.

Also this is the handheld not a full blown new console. The Asus is yet to release and they're waiting to see how that thing does. Critical thinking is my strong suit you should try it some time if you can. But Ok cool well you hang your hat on that I guess. Main New console is gonna get cancelled even though the handheld is a different marketing device than the main the console itself.

__y2jb22d ago

I think there is a 75% chance there will not be another Xbox. There is zero reason to buy one now. No way it can possibly sell more than 10m units after Xbox went third party.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 22d ago
BLow23d ago

That's what they do. Goalposts shift like the wind.

I'm really confused on why they are making a "first party" device and also have a Rog Ally with their sticker on it. Make this make sense. How is their own device going to be any different?

Your console doesn't sell and they expect a handheld to?

RaidenBlack22d ago (Edited 22d ago )

The Rog Ally one is gen agnostic ... as you deciphered, it was to be the updated Rog Ally but just with Xbox branding. PC handheld with some Xbox features.
The handheld Xbox is/was supposed to be sharing the same gen/ecosystem with the next-gen (10th gen) Xbox. Think Series S but handheld ... it'll run the Xbox OS or whatever the next Xbox will run.
...
As for anybody wondering/confused why MS is doing another Xbox console ... coz mainly its the 10th gen of home consoles next, which started wayy back in 1972 for the 1st gen. And MS wanna be part in it, in the 10th anniversary gen of consoles. If they gotta bow out, they can't do that at 9th i.e just before 10th. They wanna stick around till the 10th or the X-th gen and check what the fuss happens.

Outside_ofthe_Box23d ago

Curious as to what excuses the spam was saying. Because prior to this news, the Xbox handheld was used as proof that Xbox is still committed to the hardware space. This handheld being scraped is not a good sign...

23d ago
Outside_ofthe_Box23d ago (Edited 23d ago )

@Spam
You can replace scrapped with pushed back if you like. It's not a good sign either way.

23d ago
1Victor23d ago

asq3= obscured: “ What’s your source on the handheld being scrapped? “
Read the article from Microsoft own website and one of your favorite quotations site when it’s something bad about Sony.
Oh BTW good luck with your next SPAM account.

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