Microsoft has confirmed that it will release an SDK for it’s Kinect accessory for the Xbox 360 allowing developers to create third party applications for the motion controller on other devices like the PC and Mac.
The new Software Development Kit will be released in March and be limited to non-commercial use to start with however Microsoft has said that it will bring a commercial verison out as well so developers can make money from their work.
The release of the SDK will allow for custom PC applications using the motion-sensing and voice recognition technology inside the Kinect sensor.
“Breaking – Microsoft opens up Kinect to hacker community, rolling out Software Dvelopment Kit for personal use,” reports BBC’s tech man Rory Cellan-Jones, via Twitter before going on to add “Microsoft opens up Kinect SDK for personal use this Spring – commercial version later.”
Cellan-Jones is currently on a behind the scenes tour of Microsoft’s Redmond campus tweeting from behind closed doors.
The session was hosted by Don Mattrick, Microsoft’s video-game chief, and Craig Mundie, the company’s chief research and strategy officer.
“We think we’re going to see a huge explosion in interest,” said Craig Mundie, the company’s chief research and strategy officer to Todd Bishop who was also in the room. “We welcome that and will support it.”
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Ok, who are they and what have they done with the real Microsoft.