Microsoft today announced the availability of version 1.0 of the Kinect for Windows SDK and runtime. Distribution partners in twelve launch countries are starting to ship Kinect for Windows hardware, enabling companies to start to deploy their solutions. The suggested retail price is $249, and later this year, Microsoft will offer special academic pricing of $149 for Qualified Educational Users.

Version 1.0 includes many improvements over the prior beta version:

• Support for up to four Kinect sensors plugged into the same computer
• Significantly improved skeletal tracking, including the ability for developers to control which user is being tracked by the sensor
• Near Mode for the new Kinect for Windows hardware, which enables the depth camera to see objects as close as 40 centimeters in front of the device
• Many API updates and enhancements in the managed and unmanaged runtimes
• The latest Microsoft Speech components (V11) are now included as part of the SDK and runtime installer
• Improved “far-talk” acoustic model that increases speech recognition accuracy
• New and updated samples, such as Kinect Explorer, which enables developers to explore the full capabilities of the sensor and SDK, including audio beam and sound source angles, color modes, depth modes, skeletal tracking, and motor controls
• A commercial-ready installer which can be included in an application’s set-up program, making it easy to install the Kinect for Windows runtime and driver components for end-user deployments.
• Robustness improvements including driver stability, runtime fixes, and audio fixes

Locally, developers and hobbyists have been experimenting with Kinect resulting in some really cool projects and also the founding of the Kinect Boston user group. This group (with already has grown to 50+ members in just a few weeks) brings together Kinect users and developers in the greater Boston to share experiences, cool demos, and learn about developing with Microsoft’s Kinect sensor and related products.

Here are two videos that feature Kinect innovations:

Kinect BeatWheel Made for Boston Music Hack Day 2011

Microsoft Kinect Effect Video

TechStars, recently recognized as the No. 1 startup accelerator in the world, and Microsoft are working together to help startups fast-track their businesses. TechStars today announced an enhanced relationship with Microsoft through the new BizSpark Plus program for accelerators and incubators. The enhanced program allows TechStars accelerators in Boulder, Colo.; Boston; New York; Seattle; and Texas to offer each of their startups up to $60,000 (U.S.) of Windows Azure compute and storage over a 24-month period, at no cost.

BizSpark Plus is an extension of the Microsoft BizSpark program, designed to accelerate the success of startups around the world. BizSpark Plus works through select incubators and accelerators such as TechStars to provide value-added products and services to high-potential startups. In addition to offering this to TechStars, Microsoft is making this offer available to all founders whose accelerator is part of the Global Accelerator Network, a network of nearly 40 high-quality accelerators from around the world that follow a model similar to TechStars.

“Our passion is helping startups succeed around the world by providing funding and mentorship from the best and brightest Internet entrepreneurs and investors on the planet. The enhanced relationship with Microsoft will allow us to provide our founders with even more valuable support and services,” said David Cohen, founder and CEO of TechStars. “Access to technologies such as Windows Azure and other software and services from Microsoft through the BizSpark Plus program gives our companies a leg up in the all-encompassing race to scale and succeed.”

TechStars has a wealth of experience working with tech startups around the world that are building products and services in the cloud. Cloud applications and smart devices are driving the new startup ecosystem, affording startups the ability to drive user adoption, scale their companies and generate financial returns with far less capital and much more quickly than ever before. Windows Azure offers a simple, comprehensive and powerful platform for the creation of Web applications and services.

“TechStars is a great partner with a proven track record of attracting world-class startups. We are excited at the opportunity to work together to help startups when they need it most, with the products, resources and connections they need the most,” said Dan’l Lewin, corporate vice president, Strategic and Emerging Business Development, Microsoft. “Working with entrepreneurs on the forefront of the cloud revolution is especially rewarding. Windows Azure is a powerful, integrated platform, making it easy for startups to get their services up and running quickly with minimal overhead. This is the first offer from our new BizSpark Plus program, and we look forward to supporting TechStars members across a number of markets and technology offerings.”

In addition to the new BizSpark Plus partnership, we are also working with TechStars on the Kinect Accelerator program. The Kinect Accelerator is a three month business incubation program which will be held in Seattle from March to June, 2012. The Kinect Accelerator is designed to support entrepreneurs, engineers and innovators to bring to life a wide range of business ideas that leverage the limitless possibilities Kinect enables. On Friday February 3rd, 2012 NERD will host a special (and free) event to provide a deeper overview of what the Kinect Accelerator will be like and what participants could expect if they are accepted into this program.  To RSVP, please click here.

At Microsoft, we have the privilege of working with many leading non-profit organizations to support the local community. This holiday season, we are partnering with local non-profit organization, Cradles to Crayons, to help serve the 305,000 children living in poverty in Massachusetts.

Cradles to Crayons (C2C) strives to provide children up to age 12 living in homeless and low-income situations with the essentials they need to feel safe, warm, ready to learn, and valued.

The mission of Cradles to Crayons is to provide homeless and low-income children with the key essentials they need to feel safe, warm, ready to learn, and valued. The New England winter season is just beginning and it is during this time that low-income families need help the most. These families often have to choose between putting food on the table and buying winter clothing for their children.

Cradles to Crayons helps families in need by working with the community to provide warm winter clothes and holiday toys for children across Massachusetts. To learn more about Cradles to Crayons, check out this video.

Microsoft is supporting the efforts of Cradles to Crayons by running a gift drive this holiday season. From December 12th to December 19th, NERD will be home to a Giving Tree, where the community can donate gifts to support deserving families during the holiday

WHAT CAN YOU DONATE? Cradles to Crayons will accept both new and gently used items that are unwrapped:

• Boys clothing (sizes 7/8-18/20)
• Girls clothing (sizes 2T & 3T)
• Winter coats (sizes newborn-11/12)
• Hats & gloves
• Books
• Toys (age 0-2)

View a full listing of accepted items here.

GET INVOLVED Cradles to Crayons makes it easy for you to help:

1. Coming to NERD this week for an event or meeting? Bring an unwrapped item with you and drop it under the Giving Tree on the 10th floor or in the Cradles to Crayons bins in the 1st floor conference center. We will accept gifts through Monday, December 19th.
2. Visit Cradles to Crayons and provide a donation to help a child.
3. Text WARM to 20222 and instantly donate $10 to Cradles to Crayons.
4. Volunteer at Cradles to Crayons’ Giving Factory in Brighton.

HOW CAN YOU VOLUNTEER?
Cradles to Crayons accepts volunteers year round. Sign up today for 2012! If you have any questions about this program or Cradles to Crayons, please contact Josh Nespoli.

We look forward to working with you!