Microsoft's Kinect SDK Can Track and Listen

mikejuk writes "Microsoft has given more information on the Kinect SDK to be released later in the year. It will include the body tracking software that is used by the Xbox version of the Kinect, allowing it to track up to two people at the same time and stay locked on to them even if they leave and re-enter the frame. In addition, they promise to allow the microphone array to be used with the PC's speech recognition API. So, not only will future Kinect projects be able to track you — they can listen to what you say."

Luckily....

[fuzzyfuzzyfungus]

Microsoft doesn't have an advertising arm [microsoft.com], nor is it aggressively moving into IPTV services [microsoft.com]. Their software platforms also have an excellent record of never being compromised, and the Kinect makes it trivially evident when its mics and/or camera are active.

Thus, there is no possible way in which this could be sinister. I was worried there for a minute...

Re:Luckily....

[russryan]

The Kinect SDK will also have a state of the art sarcasm detector.

Speech recognition

[mangu]

Speech recognition would be a great feature if they could put it in phones. You know how it is when you are texting, you have to use both hands and keep your eyes on the phone.

Someone should invent a phone that you can just talk to.

Re:Is this a joke?

[Jeremiah Cornelius]

Microsoft can now report if you are active in the "Five Minutes Hate".

Re:Translation from tin-foil-hat-speak ...

[$RANDOMLUSER]

I'm not going to worry about the tinfoil hat aspects of it. Microsoft's record of listening to anyone is pretty dismal.

one word

[minogully]

Kinexxx

Re:I'm afraid

[Anonymous Coward]

Hi, I'm HAL1000, the Kinect Guide. Are you having trouble opening the pod bay doors? First, try accessing the Kinect Guide Menu by assuming the pause position, where your left hand is 45 degrees out from your body and your right hand is against your body. Next, hover your hand over the "Kinect Tuner" button. Follow the instructions, as we make you walk around the room and do silly poses for no good reason. Then repeat the words on screen, out loud, no matter how ridiculous or incriminating they might sound, as these phrases were chosen at random. Finally, find that cue card that came with one of your games. We didn't actually write what it was ON the cue card, but we figured you'd know what it was and that you wouldn't toss it out as completely useless.

Now, try the Open the "pod bay doors" gesture, as indicated on the screen. Place both hands in front of you, and seperate them till your arms are 90 degrees out from your body.

Still not working? Well, you can turn on your controller and press x...

just a moment...
just a moment...

I'm detecting large amounts of profanities and I believe you said "Why didn't you tell me that first?". Is that correct?