Introduction:
It’s official – Microsoft has discontinued the production of Kinect, their motion sensing peripheral. This may come as a surprise to some, as the device was once hailed as the future of gaming. However, this is not the first time that Microsoft has pulled the plug on Kinect. The device, which was introduced in 2010, suffered from a lack of developer support and never quite lived up to its potential. In this blog post, we will dive into the reasons why Microsoft has decided to kill Kinect, again.
1. Lack of Developer Support
The Kinect was designed to be a game-changer in the world of gaming, but unfortunately, it never quite caught on with developers. Many games that were released with Kinect support were essentially gimmicks, and didn’t take full advantage of the technology. As a result, the device never reached its full potential. Without strong developer support, the device was doomed to fail.
2. Costly Investment
The Kinect was a costly device to produce, and Microsoft did not see a return on their investment. According to a report by the Verge, Microsoft was losing money on each unit sold. The high cost of production, combined with lackluster sales, made it difficult for Microsoft to justify continuing production.
3. Limited Use Cases
While the Kinect was designed with gaming in mind, it was also marketed as a device that could be used for a variety of other purposes, such as controlling your TV or navigating your computer. However, these use cases were never fully realized. Additionally, the device was limited in its ability to track movements accurately, which meant that it was not suitable for more complex tasks.
4. Focus on Other Technologies
Microsoft has been investing heavily in other technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality. These technologies have the potential to revolutionize the tech industry and offer more bang for the buck than a peripheral like the Kinect. It’s clear that Microsoft sees these technologies as the future and is placing their bets there.
5. Lack of Consumer Interest
Ultimately, the Kinect failed because consumers were not interested in the device. A survey conducted by GamesIndustry.biz found that only 3% of gamers expressed interest in buying a new Kinect device. The device just didn’t resonate with consumers the way that Microsoft hoped it would, and without consumer support, it was bound to fail.
Conclusion:
The discontinuation of the Kinect is not a surprise, considering its lack of success over the years. However, it’s important to remember that the device was a bold move for Microsoft, and it paved the way for other innovations in gaming. While it may not have lived up to its potential, it inspired other companies to experiment with motion sensing technology. Ultimately, Microsoft’s focus on other technologies like AI and cloud computing is the right move for the company, and we can expect to see exciting new developments in those areas in the coming years. While the Kinect may be gone, its impact on the tech industry will be felt for years to come.
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