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Microsoft Is Ending Kinect Production

Redmond will still support Kinect for Xbox users, but is no longer producing new Kinect devices, according to a report from Co. Design.

Angela Moscaritolo
 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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It's the end of an era for Microsoft Kinect.

As Co. Design first reported, Microsoft is no longer manufacturing the motion sensor, which debuted in 2010 and was originally made for the Xbox 360. Redmond will still support Kinect for Xbox users, but is no longer producing new Kinect devices, meaning the standalone device is going away after retailers sell their remaining stock.

"Manufacturing for Kinect for Xbox One has ended but it is not the end of the journey for the technology," a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement to PCMag. "Kinect continues to delight tens of millions of Xbox owners and Kinect innovations live on in Xbox One, Windows 10, Cortana, Windows Mixed Reality and future technologies."

As Co. Design noted, Microsoft has been moving away from the technology for a while now in favor of more traditional gaming experiences. In 2015, it dropped Kinect gestures on the Xbox One, stating that demand for the features didn't justify the investment needed to support them. The Kinect team, meanwhile, has already moved on to create other products, such as Cortana and Windows Hello.

Microsoft initially touted Kinect as the next level of motion control, one that eschewed physical, hands-on controllers by using the human body itself for input. The product, originally dubbed Project Natal, received much fanfare in its early days, making high-profile appearances on Oprah, Ellen, and The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon.

In our 2010 Kinect review, PCMag's Jeffrey L. Wilson noted that Microsoft had "succeeded in making its spin on motion gaming not only a reality, but an insanely fun Xbox add-on." He also noted at the time that "Kinect's depth-sensing camera and microphone … kills any accusations of it being a Wii-inspired gimmick." But, Kinect also had some problems. In our May 2014 Xbox One review, PCMag's Will Greenwald noted that hand gestures felt "generally clunky" and he couldn't get Kinect to consistently let him perform certain functions.

For a trip down memory lane, check out our 2012 roundup of The Best Kinect Games.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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