The Microsoft CES 2012 keynote might be the last, but that doesn't mean it lacks in interesting news-- amongst other announcements, Steve Ballmer revealed the Kinect is coming to Windows PCs on February 2012.
The Kinect was a hit on the Xbox 360, with 2010 sales reaching around 18M units. It also proved to be fertile ground for inventive hackers, who used it for all sorts of experimental applications, such as PC control.
Now Kinect for Windows will allow for official gesture and voice control on Windows devices (Windows 7, 8 and Embedded), while Microsoft says it will "allow other companies to integrate Kinect into their offerings." It will also have a "near mode" for "close up" applications on desktop PCs.
A number of companies are already working on Kinect for Windows applications, including American Express, Mattel, Telefonica, Toyota and the United Health Group.
Ballmer's keynote also confirms Microsoft ambitions to transform the Xbox 360 from mere games consoles to "an entertainment hub for live TV, on demand videos, movies and news, social (networking), music and of course still games." Announced at CES is a partnerships with News Corporation, bringing content from Fox News, Wall Street Journal, Fox and IGN to the console.
