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Man to get $2000 for successfully hacking Kinect to work with Windows

by Steven Williamson on 8 November 2010, 12:28

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Microsoft’s attempt to protect its new hands-free, motion-sensing peripheral, Kinect, from hackers looks to have already failed less than one week after the product launched in the U.S.

As the video below appears to show, Nuigroup admin, AlexP, has hacked the Xbox 360 add-on to use on his Windows PC.

"Here are the first tests of controlling the Kinect NUI Motor and reading the Accelerometer data from a PC. Outlook looks good for other sensors (ie cameras and microphones) of the device," writes AlexP.



Microsoft, of course, is less than happy at the video. CNET contacted a representative at the company for a statement on the video.

"Microsoft does not condone the modification of its products,” was the response.

"With Kinect, Microsoft built in numerous hardware and software safeguards designed to reduce the chances of product tampering. Microsoft will continue to make advances in these types of safeguards and work closely with law enforcement and product safety groups to keep Kinect tamper-resistant."

The fact that the owners at website, Adafruit were offering $2000 to whoever hacked Kinect first, won’t sit well with Microsoft. This guy has effectively just been paid to hack Kinect, providing he’s not made the whole thing up of course.


HEXUS Forums :: 16 Comments

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From what I read on engadget he's not planning to collect that prize or release the code that does this, instead he wants to get video working better and then integrate this into one of his video conferencing products. Most odd =)
Spud1
From what I read on engadget he's not planning to collect that prize or release the code that does this, instead he wants to get video working better and then integrate this into one of his video conferencing products. Most odd =)

Oh man, take the money and run!
I guess I maybe the only one who wonders why MS is doing this - after all, if this guy manages to turn Kinect into a Windows(7?) peripheral then where's the harm in that? Okay, if he then manages to hook Kinect up to Ubuntu/MacOS/etc then maybe they've got a point.

Plus - and maybe it's post-lunch drowsiness - but the thought of being able to use Kinect to drive Windows7 on a large screen (a la Minority Report) I find quite appealing. :geek:

To me, that gives something better than the current touch driven Windows - not least because it wouldn't need to touch the screen, so no finger prints to clean off (endlessly!)
crossy
I guess I maybe the only one who wonders why MS is doing this - after all, if this guy manages to turn Kinect into a Windows(7?) peripheral then where's the harm in that? Okay, if he then manages to hook Kinect up to Ubuntu/MacOS/etc then maybe they've got a point.

Plus - and maybe it's post-lunch drowsiness - but the thought of being able to use Kinect to drive Windows7 on a large screen (a la Minority Report) I find quite appealing. :geek:

To me, that gives something better than the current touch driven Windows - not least because it wouldn't need to touch the screen, so no finger prints to clean off (endlessly!)

MS wants to get more revenue from XBOX sales, thats why!

Look at HALO franchise. HALO comes on XBOX, years later its on PC
crossy
to me, that gives something better than the current touch driven Windows - not least because it wouldn't need to touch the screen, so no finger prints to clean off (endlessly!)
I don't have to actually touch the screen on my “touchscreen” PC (HP iq770)
the tracking is done by infra red just a fraction off the surface of the glass.

But something like kinect would work better than touchscreens on PCs (sat further away),
touchscreens really need you to be holding the device to work well (see phones and tablets).