Microsoft Looking To Bring Kinect Drivers And SDK To Windows

Since the launch of Microsoft's peripheral, Kinect, it's been flying off the shelves. And while casual gamers are enjoying the device, it's also been getting a lot of attention from the types that like to do things on their own. The Kinect has been used to let a robot help you work out, and even help in surgery. The hacks are certainly all over the place, and while Microsoft wasn't particularly warm to the idea at first, the company is certainly enjoying the idea now. So much so, in fact, that it may turn out the company is getting ready to deliver official drivers, and a software developer's kit (SDK) for Windows.

Microsoft sees the Kinect peripheral as an open platform now, but there's no doubt that the Redmond-based company would want those out there to use their official drivers, as well as an SDK that they created. Steve Ballmer, at this past Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, wouldn't give an exact date, but he did say that the company was looking at supporting the Windows-based PC for Kinect usage in the future. His answer was vague enough that the time table is pretty wide open.

The information comes from unnamed sources that are reportedly "familiar with the matter," and so right now it seems that we've got to label this one as a rumor, and nothing more. However, with Microsoft openly saying that they support the open platform that Kinect was built upon, and semi-confirming upcoming support for Windows, it seems like it's only going to be a matter of time before we start seeing some official PC support. That only seems to further the question: is your Kinect collecting dust, or not?

[via CNET]