Microsoft Kinect technology for laptops?

The laptop may soon be Microsoft's latest target for its popular Kinect motion-sensing technology, a tablet-oriented site reported over the weekend.

 

A report on The Daily cited an array of Kinect sensors was integrated into prototypes that appeared to be Asus netbooks running Windows 8.

 

"In terms of functionality, there are hundreds of different ways that motion control could be leveraged in a portable. Gaming has the most obvious applications, but a Kinect-enabled laptop could also toggle between programs with the wave of a hand, or media controls could be tweaked with the wag of a finger," The Daily said.

 

But more importantly, it said motion-controlled portables "could offer a new way for disabled individuals to interact with their devices."

 

The Daily said the Kinect sensors on the prototype it was shown were located on top of the screen where the webcam would normally be.

 

A set of what appeared to be LEDs was seen at the bottom of the display, it added.

 

The Daily said a source at Microsoft confirmed the devices are indeed official prototypes of laptops featuring a Kinect sensor.

 

On the other hand, The Daily said Microsoft will probably not be making its own portables in-house, but may license the technology to hardware makers instead.

 

Also, it said Microsoft is more likely to put the platform in the hands of developers.

 

Microsoft’s plan to get the Kinect out of the living room and into other devices seems to be picking up momentum every day, The Daily reported.

 

It noted Microsoft's efforts to create a Kinect-supported television set last November.

 

On the other hand, tech site CNET said one concern would be the Kinect's sensitivity, noting the Kinect camera on the XBox 360 several feet of space to register movement.

 

"Does this modified version of the Kinect technology improve on its range and accuracy? Kinects can also be finicky with light sensitivity, which makes me wonder if this would be a problem outdoors," it said. — TJD, GMA News