The Kinect 2.0 sensor is a major aspect of the overall experience that Microsoft hopes to deliver with the Xbox One. But, based on the product’s first generation, set up and usage might not be so easy. The first Kinect offered relatively limited placement options and required a large floor area and adequate lighting. Thankfully, with many curious about similar constraints for the Kinect 2.0, an Xbox One user guide that details Kinect placement has leaked out of Brazil.
Before we continue, we want to take a moment to thank our sponsor this week, LoopConf. Taking place May 6-8, 2015 at the Westin Lake Resort and Spa in Las Vegas, LoopConf is one event you don’t want to miss if you’re involved, or thinking about becoming involved, with developing for or supporting WordPress. Come attend more than 30 sessions lead by WordPress experts and participate in hands-on labs and training. Check out the details and get your tickets today.
The new Kinect will unfortunately be limited to the same placement areas as its predecessor, but the new wide angle lens and enhanced sensors will create a far more flexible interaction area for users. According to the leaked configuration guide, Kinect 2.0 should be placed centered to the television, no higher than 1.8 meters (6 feet) and no lower than 0.6 meters (2 feet) from the floor. Players who wish to interact with the Kinect should also be positioned at least 1.4 meters (5 feet) from the front of the sensor. The original Kinect shared the height requirements of Kinect 2.0, but required at least 6 feet between the sensor and the user.
In addition to better placement options, the new Kinect will also offer a wider interaction area (up to about 19 feet compared to the first generation’s limit of 12 feet) and much better voice and motion tracking thanks to additional sensors. Microsoft has released several videos showcasing the Kinect’s impressive ability to track light levels, joint movement, muscle pressure, and even pulse rate.
Kinect 2.0 is included with the Xbox One. The console launches on November 22 in North America for $500. Rival PS4 arrives in North America a week earlier, on November 15, at $400, but does not include a Kinect-like motion and voice device.
