We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
WiseGeek

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Technology

What Are the Different Types of Kinect® Consoles?

By G. Wiesen
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGeek is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGeek, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

Different types of Kinect® consoles are based on the version of the game console that comes with the Kinect® device or a particular promotional edition of the console. Kinect® devices come with or can be connected to an Xbox 360® gaming console, and these are available in a few different versions. The differences between these versions can be seen in how they are able to connect to the Internet, as well as the storage capacity of their internal hard drive. There are also some Kinect® consoles available as part of a special edition of the video game console for a particular promotion.

Kinect® consoles are video game consoles that combine home gaming with motion-sensing technology. The Kinect® hardware is basically a combination of a microphone that can receive voice commands, combined with motion-sensing technology that can track player movements and position. This type of hardware does not function on its own, but must be connected to a larger system, namely an Xbox 360® gaming console.

Most Kinect® consoles are sold as a bundle, which includes both the Kinect® hardware and an Xbox 360®. Different types of consoles are available at different prices, depending on the features a person wants included with the system. The more expensive of the versions available typically has a large internal hard drive within the Xbox 360®. Less expensive Kinect® consoles are available, but these have a smaller internal hard drive, though both versions include built-in wireless connectivity in the console for online gaming.

There are also some Kinect® devices that can be purchased individually, rather than as Kinect® consoles. These are primarily intended for people who already have an Xbox 360®, which they wish to connect to a new Kinect® device. There have also been some situations in which the Kinect® device has been connected to and utilized with a computer system, though this is often done in university laboratories for studying different types of technology.

Some Kinect® consoles are designed for sale as part of a special promotion, usually as a limited edition of the hardware. For example, a special Star Wars edition of the Kinect® hardware and Xbox 360® console and controller were created to promote the release of the game Kinect® Star Wars. Such promotional editions are usually available only for a limited time and may also be restricted in the number available.

WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
See our Editorial Process Share Feedback

Related Articles

Discussion Comments

By everetra — On Sep 05, 2011

@MrMoody - I’d love to see the application where they connect the console to a computer screen, like the article talks about.

I suppose they do this for motion analysis in games or perhaps it may have some applications within the field of physical therapy.

I think they could also use it to create animations, too, by using body movements to provide the motion for the animation like they do in some Hollywood productions.

By MrMoody — On Sep 05, 2011

I have to say, I’ve never had so much exercise in my life as when I played the Xbox 360 at a friend’s house using a Kinect console.

I didn’t have to use the microphone, just the motion sensor unit. I played volleyball, tennis and even boxing. I was hopping about all over the place and even slipped a few times, to the delight of my onlookers.

It took awhile to get used to the Kinect unit. You had to stand in the right location so that it could identify you, and there were icons on the screen that helped to remind you when it was your turn to swing or play.

Overall, it was a lot of fun; I suppose it’s similar to the Wii, but I haven’t played with the Wii that much.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.