Kinect for Windows SDK Beta Refresh Available

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Kinect for Windows SDK beta refresh available for download (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

Interest in the Kinect for Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) beta, released on June 16, 2011, has been strong, and we’re delighted to learn that so many developers and innovators who are experimenting with natural user interface (NUI) applications have taken advantage of the SDK to explore the potential of the Kinect sensor.

In support of our commitment to encourage researchers and enthusiasts in their exploration of the exciting possibilities of the Kinect sensor, we have now released a refreshed version of the SDK. The community has provided us with a lot of good feedback, and this release addresses some of the top items you’ve told us about.

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Before summarizing the updates, let’s quickly recap the key features of the Kinect for Windows SDK beta. This non-commercial SDK beta enables human motion tracking, voice recognition, and depth sensing on PCs, enabling developers to create innovative natural user interface applications. The SDK includes drivers and rich APIs for raw sensor streams and natural user interfaces, as well as installation documents and resource materials.

So, what’s in the refresh?

  • Driver enhancements: stability fixes to prevent crashes, including those that appear when a PC goes into sleep mode
  • Runtime enhancements: refinements to a number of APIs, improvements in time-stamping, and the removal of non-functional APIs to alleviate confusion (they will be reinserted if and when the functionality becomes available in future releases)

The refresh also includes many improvements to the documentation, including clarifications and the deletion of information pertaining to non-functional components. Also, the SDK samples have been enhanced.

If you’re an academic researcher or an enthusiast who wants to take advantage of the latest developments in natural user interface experimentation, we encourage you to learn more about and download the Kinect for Windows SDK beta refresh (opens in new tab). We plan on releasing the next refresh of the Kinect for Windows SDK beta later this year (still with a non-commercial license).

Let us know what you think (opens in new tab)—as this refresh demonstrates, we’re committed to using your feedback to make the best possible SDK!

—Tony Hey, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Research Connections

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