The Kinect had quickly become a popular PC peripheral when, to Microsoft’s initial consternation, hobbyists jailbroke the device to work with Windows. Microsoft’s opinion quickly changed when amateur PC developers started making amazing software for the device, including one fellow who used two Kinects to create true 3D imaging on the PC. The device had also become a boon for robot engineers who discovered a $150 Kinect device could be just as effective as $7000 optical sensors, and in some cases, more effective.
Ballmer also revealed that not only were 66M Xbox 360 units sold to consumers, along with 40M Xbox Live subscribers, but 18M Kinects had been sold to consumers since its debut a year ago. It’s a good bet, though, that many of the Kinects sold were part of the hard drive-less Xbox 360/Kinect bundle.
The further integration and inter-connectivity of Windows 8, the Xbox 360 and the Windows 7 Phone was the other main topic of Ballmer’s keynote address, as well as the announcement that Win8 would be available for testing in February.
Microsoft had announced over a week ago that CES 2012 would be their last appearance at the venerable electronics trade convention. This marked the end of an era, since Microsoft’s opening keynote had set the tone for the convention over the past two decades.
Those who wish to listen to the entirety of Ballmer’s speech can do so at Major Nelson’s site here.