Microsoft confirms Kinect for Windows, launches official website, releases SDK beta

By Adam Rosenberg Published November 4, 2011

It’s not news that Kinect is coming to Windows. There’s been talk of that since the beginning of the year. All sorts of support from Microsoft ramping up to… well… to pretty much right now. The MSDN Blog celebrates today’s one-year anniversary of the Kinect’s release with the news that Kinect for Windows is an official thing, complete with its own blog (the one linked above) and official website. Beta 2 of the Kinect for Windows SDK is also here, so get to it, developers!

The new SDK offers a number of updates, including “faster skeletal tracking, better accuracy rate when it comes to skeletal tracking and joint recognition, and the ability to plug and unplug your Kinect without losing work/productivity.” The plan from here is to continue rolling out added Kinect for Windows support, with a full commercial launch set for “early 2012.”

Adam Rosenberg

Former Gaming/Movies Editor

Previously, Adam worked in the games press as a freelance writer and critic for a range of outlets, including Digital Trends…

Topics

Computing

Apple’s 2026 Back to School promo saves you up to $150 on a new Mac or iPad

The exact amount depends on which device you buy, but the offer doesn't apply to all Mac and iPad models.

Apple has kicked off its 2026 Back to School promotion, and this year's offer swaps out the free accessory bundle from last year with gift cards. Eligible buyers who purchase a MacBook Pro get a $150 gift card, while a MacBook Air, iPad Pro, or iPad Air earns a $100 gift card. The promotion runs through August 27 in the US, with international versions rolling out on different timelines and, in some regions, different rewards entirely.

Not every device is eligible

Computing

OpenAI made a tiny $230 keyboard that lets you turn up an AI’s brainpower

The Codex Micro puts reasoning settings, agent status lights, and programmable AI shortcuts directly on your desk

OpenAI has made a $230 mini keyboard that lets Codex users adjust how hard its AI thinks with a physical dial. The Codex Micro also provides dedicated buttons for launching workflows and checking on active agents without bouncing between chats.

Developed with keyboard maker Work Louder, the compact Mac and Windows accessory connects over Bluetooth or USB-C. OpenAI’s store currently lists it as out of stock, although the company says more units are coming.

Computing

Google rejects alarming report that says its Search AI tools are unsafe for kids

The company says it couldn’t reproduce many of the responses cited and argues that the testing doesn’t reliably measure product safety

Google has rejected a new report that labels its AI-powered Search features an “unacceptable risk” for children and teenagers.

Common Sense Media’s Youth AI Safety Institute gave AI Overviews and AI Mode its lowest overall rating. The two tools performed poorly against seven of the institute’s eight AI safety principles and failed every category involving potentially severe harm. Google says those findings came from searches that don’t resemble how people normally use its products.