Microsoft Discontinues Kinect for Windows, Xbox One Adapter Revealed

Microsoft is going to stop selling the PC version of the Kinect in favor of a new USB adapter that will work with the Xbox One's version.

The Kinect for Windows Blog reports that Microsoft is discontinuing the Kinect for Windows v2 sensor in an effort to streamline production and keep up with demand developers are putting out for the Xbox One version of the Kinect. Since June 2014, Microsoft has been selling two different versions of the Kinect. There is the Kinect that comes with the Xbox one and then the Kinect for Windows v2, which are quite similar. The Windows v2 Kinect was released in an attempt to let PC developers start using Microsoft's motion sensor tech. Microsoft has decided that instead of selling two sensors, it will instead sell one sensor, with an adapter to let it be used on Windows 8-equipped PCs. The adapter will allow the Xbox One version of the Kinect to work with PCs using Windows 8 and 8.1.

If you are wondering what that means for current owners of the Kinect for Windows v2 sensor, you have nothing to worry about. Microsoft will continue to support the sensor that PC developers were so eager to snatch up, it just won't be selling any more of them.

The Microsoft team is still very excited to see where the Kinect can take developers and consumers, whether it be for entertainment, education, healthcare, manufacturing or other purposes that Microsoft has yet to foresee. You can now pick up this adapter at most major retailers that sell Xbox products or PC hardware.