Since it launched, we have kept a close eye on Microsoft Kinect. The potential of the technology has been a source of inspiration, and imagining the possibilities for future applications is often more engaging than actual software, as we have yet to see a killer app for the platform. In fact the glut of Kinect hacks that have appeared since platform launched serve as the most exciting showcase, showing how Kinect can do everything from powering your media centre to helping the blind
But perhaps the most interesting aspect of the Kinect Hack phenomenon is how MS have handled the issue. Instead of trying quash it with firmware updates, MS have been positive, open and encouraging to the modding community, and have even to run a competition to bring the top rated hack to the ‘Kinect Fun Labs’ mini-game.
This attitude, as well as being most pleasing to a lover of games and tech, is a nice move by MS, and has given them a bit of a brand lift with the geekier crowd. And with Apple constantly tightening its grip on device modification, the modding community is a space where they MS have a chance to be a bit cooler than the cool kid.
Perhaps it’s with this in mind that MS have taken that positivity even further, and are now offering a 20k startup investment to 10 Kinect hacks they think might have legs as actual stand alone businesses.
It’s a wise investment financially; there is potential for some very exciting and lucrative new product ideas, especially considering the fact that Kinect will be hard wired into Windows 8. But it’s also a very smart as a community engagement exercise that will help MS shed their ‘BigCo’ image with the important developer community. This group are the amongst the most influential this space; an insight Hypernaked were mindful of when developing Nokia Push, a similar innovation platform that could work more closely with Microsoft’s in light of the two brands recent alliance.
And the most exciting aspect is we might finally get to play with the awesome hacks that we’ve been seeing. Here a 5 Kinect hacks that both bring the awesome and we can see being viable products
1)Fitnect, the virtual dressing room, has the potential to revolutionize online clothes shopping
2)Kiwibank Interactive Wall is very polished display with hundreds of applications, (maybe an agency reception…)
3) Head tracking is definitely part of Kinect’s future, with possibilities ranging from a display that changes according to your viewpoint to a natural UI that lets you shake/nod you’re your head to navigate content http://youtu.be/M0dGN4aQ9JQ
4) Chris O Shea says he has no commercial plans for his awesome air guitar hack, but hopefully with the Accelerator program someone will, because we want it.
5) Viable business? Two words – Holographic Terminator.