Microsoft regularly releases new software and hardware product with excellent features. These products will become outdated as time passes by and the product team refreshes the catalog. Microsoft has announced that the company no longer manufactures Azure Kinect Developer Kit.
The Redmond-based software giant stopped the manufacture of the depth camera and microphone in 2017. The company introduced Azure Kinect Developer Kit in 2019 with new features. The product team has reportedly partnered with third-party companies to manufacture Kinect-type devices in case of any requirement. Going forward, Microsoft will not venture to design and develop Azure Kinect Developer Kit.
Microsoft disclosed that the Azure Kinect Developer Kit will be available until either October end or stocks last. If you are a developer and would like to purchase Kinect kit, then you should take action now before the product goes out of stock. We don’t have any estimated time frame regarding when the new Kinect Kit will be available. The company also added that the existing devices will continue to work without interruption.
According to Swathi Mehta, Product Manager, Microsoft, the company regularly refreshes the product lineup based on the needs of customers and partners. This includes the development of new products and retiring products. She added that similar type of product will be available through their partner ecosystem. Swathi also suggested developing to adopt Orbbec’s Femto Bolt, which makes use of the depth camera module integrated with the Azure Kinect Developer Kit.
To recall, the first Kinect version was launched with the Xbox 360. Even though developers expected the new Kinect to provide support for Xbox One, the company discontinued the product.
The Azure Kinect Developer Kit features a 1MP depth camera, a 360-degree microphone array, a 12MP RGB camera, and an orientation sensor. The product was made available for $399 but you need to call a toll-free number to buy the device. Microsoft has specifically stated that the product is meant for developers and not consumers. Moreover, you should use the Kit in an ambient temperature range of 10-25 degrees Celsius.
