Microsoft plans Kinect SDK

Microsoft plans to release a software development kit for academics and enthusiasts to access and work with the core technology in its Kinect motion-sensors on Windows 7 machines. Don Mattrick, Microsoft's video-game chief, announced the plans this morning during a session with journalists on its Redmond campus.
The release of the SDK will allow for custom PC applications using the motion-sensing and voice recognition technology inside the Kinect sensor.
"We think we're going to see a huge explosion in interest," said Craig Mundie, the company's chief research and strategy officer. "We welcome that and will support it."
The SDK will be available initially this spring for non-commercial use, but the company plans to ultimately make the technology allowable for use in commercial applications. The SDK will allow academics and hobbyists to deal with the sensor at a "higher level" than the informal Kinect hacks that emerged after the device was introduced for Xbox 360.
When those hacks originally emerged, Microsoft at first called the use unsupported and encouraged people "to use Kinect for Xbox 360 with their Xbox 360 to get the best experience possible." Later, Microsoft changed course and said it encouraged creative uses of the device.
Said Mattrick during the briefing today, "This seemed like a great way to build on the momentum, intellect and creativity of that community."
Update: After the session, I got a chance to talk with Mattrick about the controversy last year over the Kinect hacks. He said the initial reaction opposing the hacks was the result of a misunderstanding inside the company, which he corrected once he found out about it. The SDK was planned all along, he said. The company just needed to put a priority on shipping the device first.

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