Kinect coming to smartphones?

Microsoft could be working to bring Kinect-like capabilities to smartphones and other mobile devices.

That's according to a Reuters report, which claims Microsoft's 2010 acquisition of gesture recognition firm Canesta may provide a return in the form of a smaller Kinect-type product capable of fitting into a handset.

The report states: "Canesta's engine is said to outperform the PrimeSensor which Microsoft is currently licensing from PrimeSense Ltd. for its Kinect.

"When Microsoft commercialises the Canesta-invented chip-level work-alike of the PrimeSensor, it will be able to downsize the foot-long Kinect to about a square centimetre, enabling tiny robots and other mobile devices, such as the Windows Phone, to perform sophisticated gesture recognition for natural user interfaces, autonomous navigation and many other tasks."

That's all well and good, but we'd still like to see Kinect used more effectively with games. Microsoft European Games Studios boss Peter Molyneux said this month he understands criticism aimed at the motion sensor by core gamers, but reasoned that "any invention as big as Kinect" will take time for developers to get their teeth into.

It might not be too long though, as Kinect creative director Kudo Tsunoda said in June that developers are starting to unlock "a whole bunch of new stuff" with their "super-responsive" second round of Kinect titles.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...o-smartphones/