Kinect creates a new record in gaming

While in this part of the world, we haven't yet got wind of it, Microsoft's latest sensory toy is creating a new Guinness world record of being the 'fastest selling electronic device".
Kinect, the latest addition to Xbox, with motion controls  has sold an average of 133,333 units per day with a total of eight million units in its first 60 days. For some more mindboggling numbers, 10 million units of the Kinect sensor have been shipped as of March 2011.

Building from the success of the sensory game Nintendo's WII launched three years ago, which uses a controller that is tied to your hand through which you can play TV games such as Golf, Go carting and Lawn Tennis - Kinect uses spoken voice commands and the entire body interface making gaming a whole new experience.

There is now a new war among the gaming companies, Nintendo WII, PlayStation, Microsoft's Xbox 360 and now Kinect.

The sensational appeal of Kinect is the use of a technology that is controller free. There are no gadgets, there are no gizmos, just you. Gaming is as simple as kicking a ball as you see it or jumping into an aerobics class, or walking in the woods.
The essential difference between WII and Kinect is, WII uses a controller that is tied to the hand and senses the motion and therefore the racquet games become a live experience. Kinect uses a motion sensor that tracks entire body. So when you play, it's not only about your hands and wrists. It's about all of you. Face, arms, legs, knees, waist, hips and so on. As you play, Kinect creates a digital skeleton of you. So when you move left or right or jump around, the sensor will capture it and put you in the game. Kinect uses four strategically placed microphones within the sensor to recognise and separate your voice from the other noises in the room, so you can control movies and games with your voice.

The customer reviews for this new gaming experience is spilling over. Besides the fitness regime, dancing and sporting skills that the Kinect provides, customers would like to see mortal combat and probably try the spiderman routine. As one ardent user says "Imagine, I raise my hand and say 'Spiderweb' and my hero shoots the sticky web."

Football freaks await the release of FIFA on Kinect, there are others imagining what future movies will be like with truly free roaming camera. Some feel that the world's getting to look like on sci-fi movie, when you think of how the entire human being is now interfacing with technology.

The price point entry must have helped the stupendous number of units sold. Following the IPad price strategy of keeping the entry model close to $500, the new Kinect that is compatible with any Xbox 360 is the next fancy of any individual who understands and enjoys gaming.

The writer is  an entrepreneur & educationist.