Today we are launching the v2 SDK and a new adapter that will allow you to use a standalone Xbox One sensor with a PC.

That means we’ve got a commercial, go-live license now for the SDK and Kinect-Enabled apps can be ingested into the Windows Store.  The adapter ($49.99 USD) will get us into 41 markets (expansion is rolling out over the coming days & weeks) and will enable developers to test the K4W waters if they already have a Kinect for Xbox One.

• All the details are on the Microsoft Blog:  http://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2014/10/22/microsoft-releases-kinect-sdk-2-0-new-adapter-kit/
• You can get the SDK here:  http://aka.ms/k4wv2sdk

New Sample Available:  Kinect Evolution

You may have seen members of our team do demos of the new sensor using an app called Kinect Evolution.  The app is used to show off the various data sources from the sensor (Depth, IR, Color, Audio, Body) and to discuss platform capabilities.

We’ve shipped the Kinect Evolution (KE) application to the Windows Store.  You can get it now and start using it for your demos or just to have fun with.  Make sure you don’t miss the keyboard shortcuts (Spacebar, Enter, M, N, Left/Right Arrow) or the App bar which also has all the controls.  There’s a video you can watch if you want to see how to demo KE and there’s a second video with a few tips.  You can find Kinect Evolution and other Kinect-enabled apps in the “Kinect for Windows” collection in the Windows Store.

Within the next week, the SDK Browser (included as part of the v2 SDK installation) will include the full source code for Kinect Evolution.  That means you will be able to grab the code and see how it works.  Also, this app shows best practices for how to use Kinect data in your own app and also provides reusable controls that you can include and re-use in your own projects.

Applications

• Kinect Evolution: An app that helps developers understand the core capabilities of the Kinect for Windows v2 technology.
• YAKiT: An entertaining app from the developers at Freak n’ Genius that allows people without design expertise to animate 2D or 3D characters in real time.
• 3D Builder: An app that enables anyone to scan a person or object, turn it into a 3D model, and create a 3D print of that model. You no longer have to be a technologist or have access to a 3D printer to create amazing 3D prints!

Are you working on something?

If you’re currently working on a Kinect 2 project, let me know! 

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@DaveVoyles

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