The Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect platform could one day receive a new firmware update that will quadruple the device’s accuracy. If done properly, Kinect developers will be able to send more information captured by the Kinect to the game console, which will add support for new and more advanced physical movements.
The USB controller interface used by the Kinect currently transmits information at 15 or 16 MB/s, but it's possible to boost data transmission speeds up to 35MB/s, which could occur next year with a new update. Microsoft initially capped the speed so that Xbox 360 gamers could use multiple USB devices simultaneously without any problems -- but they now realize that both multiple USB connections and the faster speeds should be possible.
The current Kinect firmware limits the device's resolution to 320x240, but could be increased up to 640x480 with a simple Xbox dashboard update. If the resolution is increased, according to engineers, finger and hand rotation can be detected with the higher resolution.
Gamers may not appreciate the higher resolution mode because performance will decrease, but other applications and platforms could make use of the enhanced 640x480 resolution.
Microsoft has not confirmed development of a new firmware update aimed at Kinect sensor accuracy.
After launching in November, the Kinect has received a lukewarm reception among Xbox 360 gamers and casual consumers. Microsoft has said sales remain strong, however, and interest from the community may give Microsoft an added boost. In addition to trying to learn how to use Kinect, gamers are having some difficulty trying to find entertaining Kinect-enabled video games.
Along with a slumping game catalog, criticism from Sony Move engineers and others plague the Kinect, as the Xbox 360 competes with the Sony PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii.
In other related news, a new set of official Windows and Ubuntu OpenNI Kinect drivers have now been released, which should lead to even more Kinect use in the PC space.
