R.I.P Kinect 2.0 (2013-2018)
We previously reported on the death of Kinect a couple of months ago, but now it seems that Microsoft has officially put it to bed. Microsoft has confirmed that they have discontinued the Kinect Adapter as well, the USB add-on that allowed owners of the motion sensor to hook it up to the Xbox One S, Xbox One X, or a Windows PC.
“After careful consideration, we decided to stop manufacturing the Xbox Kinect Adapter to focus attention on launching new, higher fan-requested gaming accessories across Xbox One and Windows 10,” said a Microsoft spokesperson in a statement to Polygon. The representative also said there are no plans to bring the motion sensor back in the future.
Discontinuing the USB accessory feels like the final nail in Kinect’s coffin. It shouldn’t be a complete surprise considering both the One S and the One X removed the proprietary Kinect port from their final designs. The adapter remains the only way to use the accessory with them by using the rear USB port.
Following the release of the Xbox One S, Microsoft offered the Kinect Adapter for free for owners of the original Xbox One who were upgrading to the new model. It was a promotion that ended in March 2017 and was not given a reprieve when the One X launched in November.
The adapter was priced at $39.99 but, as Polygon has also reported, it remains “sold out” at all major retailers. Due to its scarce availability, the adapters are being sold for approximately $300 on secondary and private markets.
How do you feel about Microsoft putting an end to the Kinect? Do you still own one and use it? Feel free to comment down below.