Kinect-enabled Windows 8 laptops are reportedly being tested by Microsoft
According to a report from The Daily, the tech giant Microsoft is currently working on integrating the Kinect system into portable computers. At present, the motion-sensing technology is available to Xbox 360 users; however, come February 1, Kinect for Windows hardware and software will supposedly be launched in 12 countries for $249. Nevertheless, if you want to purchase a notebook that has the technology already built-in, you will need to wait a little longer.
It is claimed that the software company is now testing some prototypes that appear to be Windows 8-running Asus netbooks. The above mentioned report also indicates that these mini-laptops are apparently equipped with a number of sensors “stretching over the top of the screen” (where you would usually find a built-in web camera) accompanied by some LED lights at the bottom. Furthermore, it has supposedly been confirmed by Microsoft sources that these are indeed official prototypes.
Reportedly, the built-in Kinect system can be utilized for gaming, interacting with multimedia applications (for instance changing a song with the wave of a hand) and perhaps an improved way for people, who have some kind of disability to use a portable computer. There are also rumours of a new Kinect, dubbed Kinect 2 that presumably has an “impressive” level of accuracy, which allows the device to even read lips.
It looks like Microsoft will not be building Kinect-powered netbooks themselves, but instead the company will supposedly license the technology to hardware manufacturers.
Source(s)
http://www.thedaily.com/page/2012/01/27/012712-tech-kinect-laptop/
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/kinectforwindows/news/
http://www.slashgear.com/kinect-2-rumor-points-to-lip-reading-accuracy-28198290/
http://cdn.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/kinect-sg1.jpg
http://www.slashgear.com/windows-8-kinect-notebook-prototypes-spotted-27211020/