Though the Kinect 2 was originally planning to become available as a separate product for Windows PCs, Microsoft has elected to offer a single $50 adapter that attaches to the regular Xbox One console’s kinect cable and drop the production of the Windows version of the Kinect.
The attachment is compatible with Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 devices as well as tablets. The difference between the Windows iteration of the Kinect 2 and the Xbox One version is nominal and the functionality between the two is identical.
This new adapter bodes well for the markets in which the supply of Windows Kinects are thin.
Despite this news regarding the advanced camera peripheral Microsoft maintains that the company’s dedication to the Kinect is not faltering.
“…while we are no longer producing the Kinect for Windows v2 sensor, we want to assure developers who are currently using it that our support for the Kinect for Windows v2 sensor remains unchanged and that they can continue to use their sensor.”
The Microsoft rep went on to express the company’s excitement for more user projects coming from the developer community.
The Kinect’s retail price for the Xbox One is currently set at $150.