Microsoft permanently lowering Kinect price in the US to $110, slightly reducing it in other parts of the world

Microsoft permanently lowering Kinect price in the US to $110, slightly reducing it in other parts of the world

Well, it certainly looks like the news of that Xbox Essentials Pack isn't the only thing coming out of Redmond today. As the communicative Major Nelson unequivocally notes, Microsoft's officially dropping down the price of its "You Are the Controller" Xbox 360 add-on in the US to a mere 110 bucks. Additionally, he's also said there's a "permanently reduced" pricing scheme coming to other countries in North America, Latin America and the Asia Pacific regions (save for Japan) where the company's Kinect is available for purchase; meanwhile, folks in the Middle East, Europe and Africa seem to be out of luck for now, since there are no price-slashing plans for the time being.

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Microsoft permanently lowering Kinect price in the US to $110, slightly reducing it in other parts of the world originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 14:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft applies to patent gesture-based MIDI interface, turn us all into Jean Michel Jarre

Microsoft applies to patent gesturebased MIDI interface, turn us all into JeanMichel Jarre

Microsoft has applied to patent a free-space gesture controller for a MIDI interface that could see you kicking out jams on invisible instruments. Using a Kinect-style depth camera, individual movements would be mapped to notes and played out by the games console observing the action. The company actually teased a similar function in its Kinect Effect advert, where it showed cellists, violinists and pianists all miming in front of the sensor, although we doubt the technology is at a sufficiently capable stage just yet. If granted, it means we could see plenty of intentional arm-waving in future music games, or an even more outrageous stage show from the world's most beloved Gallic synth maven.

Microsoft applies to patent gesture-based MIDI interface, turn us all into Jean Michel Jarre originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jun 2012 09:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA Baller Beats adds a real basketball to your Kinect arsenal, we attempt to go hands-on (video)

NBA Baller Beats adds a real basketball to your Kinect arsenal, we attempt to go handson video

Forget what your mum told you. Soon, you'll be bouncing a real basketball in your living room in order to strengthen your ball handling skills via your Xbox 360's Kinect. Majesco has developed NBA Baller Beats, a gaming title that will ship with the requisite ball so that you don't have to go searching out in the garage to get started. Don't get too excited, though -- the package won't include any sort of hardwood court-esque add-on for the feel of taking Kobe to the hole at the Staples Center. However, the soundtrack that drives your dribbles and cross-overs (and determines level of difficulty) should be just enough to embarrass you at some point. Think about this way: it's like Guitar Hero for sports fans. Well, we won't stall any longer. Head on past the break to catch a glimpse of a tech editor's best shot at a quick demo of the software here at E3 2012.

Continue reading NBA Baller Beats adds a real basketball to your Kinect arsenal, we attempt to go hands-on (video)

NBA Baller Beats adds a real basketball to your Kinect arsenal, we attempt to go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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