Skip to main content

Is Microsoft making a 4K webcam for Windows 10 and Xbox One?

Microsoft may jump back into the webcam world in 2019 with a 4K webcam that will work with both Windows 10 PCs and the Xbox One. The device will support Windows Hello and will bring back a feature last seen in the discontinued Kinect for Xbox, Thurott.com reported, citing two separate sources.

Windows Hello, which is fast and easy to set up, allows users to sign in to their Windows 10 devices using biometric data such as fingerprints or facial recognition.

Related Videos

There are already several Windows Hello webcams on the market that enable the facial recognition feature of the security system. The rumored 4K webcam will be the first standalone Windows Hello camera from Microsoft, however; the company has so far provided the feature only through built-in webcams in Surface PCs. It will be interesting to see how the new device differs from the other choices  available to consumers.

The 4K webcam, when used with the Xbox One, will provide a Kinect feature that many gamers are missing. Users will be able to automatically sign in by simply moving into the sight of the camera. This will also work with multiple users, so friends and family will be able to join in the middle of a game.

The feature was one of the major uses of the Kinect accessory, which was discontinued in October 2017. The final nail in the coffin was driven in January, when the Kinect Adapter, which connected the camera to the Xbox One S, Xbox One X, and Windows PCs, ceased production.

The upcoming Microsoft webcams may be somehow connected to the new USB-C-based webcam that will be released alongside the Surface Hub 2 next year, Thurott.com added. The second-generation device will feature multiple USB-C ports, and users will be able to mount a single camera in any location, or more cameras on several locations. A source told Thurott.com that one of the new Microsoft webcams will be enterprise-focused, so there is a possibility that the mentioned webcam is the one that will be used with the Surface Hub 2.

Editors' Recommendations

All cross-platform games (PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)
Two squads of heroes clash in an Overwatch 2 trailer.

Cross-platform support is becoming more important in the world of video games. Multiplayer hits like Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 and Fortnite have pushed crossplay into the limelight, and now most AAA multiplayer games release with at least partial cross-platform support. Finding every cross-platform game is no easy feat, though, so we did the hard work to bring you a comprehensive list of games that support crossplay.

Unfortunately, there aren't any rules when it comes to crossplay, so each game handles the feature a little differently. To make matters more confusing, certain backward-compatible games on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X still support crossplay on the most recent hardware, even if there isn't an official release for that hardware.

Read more
4 Windows 11 accessibility features that make it easier for everyone to use
Person using Windows 11 laptop on their lap by the window.

Windows 11 feature some big updates for Microsoft's storied operating system visually, but it has made big strides in accessibility as well. Live Captions, updates to the Narrator, and even full voice access might make Windows 11 the most accessible OS Microsoft has ever released.

Regardless of it you need accessibility features to navigate Windows 11 or if you just want to make getting around a little easier, we tried out a slew of features to bring you our favorites. If you want to browse the full list, you can find it by opening the Settings app in Windows 11 and selecting the Accessibility tab.
Live captions

Read more
USB-C charging laptops: Here’s what you need to know
Close up on the USB-C ports on a Macbook Pro.

The arrival of USB-C and USB-C laptop chargers has been a game-changer for many electronics. You can use the connection to charge devices and transfer media, and it's conveniently reversible. The best laptops no longer need a big power brick -- you can just use USB-C. But there are some precautions you should take when charging over USB-C. Here's everything you need to know.
USB charging and laptops

You have probably already used USB connections to charge smaller devices either from your computer or from an outlet. That works well because past USB connections had enough wattage to successfully power up those smaller batteries. Prior versions of USB could only handle a limited amount of power, which is why laptop chargers have typically retained their larger, bulkier cables.

Read more