sdk

Microsoft today updated its Kinect for Windows software development kit with a host of improvements.

According to the software giant, the new and important Kinect for Windows SDK now allows developers to consult data from the sensor's three-axis accelerometer, providing access to the device's orientation. In addition, developers will have access to depth data beyond its previous limit of four meters, as well as use of an infrared stream.

"Access to all this data means new experiences are possible: whole new scenarios open up, such as monitoring manufacturing processes with extended-range depth data," Microsoft Kinect for … Read more

Microsoft is preparing to release the software development kit for Windows Phone 8 — but only to a select group of developers.

In a blog post on Wednesday, Windows Marketplace chief Todd Brix said Microsoft was starting to accept requests for access to the SDK, which lets app creators tailor their products to the upcoming version of the Windows Phone OS.

However, only the "developers of [the Marketplace's] most-downloaded apps" will get in early, Brix said. As for the rest, they will only get access at the launch of Windows Phone 8 because Microsoft is trying to keep … Read more

Facebook launched improved tools and a new center for developers today, with hopes that it will make it easier and faster for developers to create Facebook-integrated iOS apps.

The social network said this is the biggest upgrade to its iOS software developers kit, or SDK, but it is fully compatible with other versions.

"The new features make the SDK a natural extension of Apple's iOS environment and make your development cycle more efficient by eliminating the need to develop and manage common tasks," Facebook's Jason Clark wrote in the developers blog today.

Improvements include better user … Read more

Dropbox has confirmed that the latest update to its developer SDK complies with Apple's policies that strictly forbid apps to send users to external sites to buy products if an in-app option is not also available.

Previously Dropbox had included a link to purchase extra storage space on its servers, which sent users to the Dropbox Web site to complete the transaction. That method cuts Apple (and its 30 percent revenue share) out of the process.

Dropbox had temporarily removed its "Make account" feature (the one that included the ability to buy more storage directly through Dropbox) … Read more

Apple is reportedly working with Dropbox to resolve an issue that has led to a number of developers' iOS apps being rejected from the App Store.

The apps, which are based on the Dropbox SDK, are apparently being rejected because they contain links to external purchase options. The issue has raised the ire of developers, who took to Dropbox forums to criticize Apple's action.

However, that action seems to be in line with Apple's App Store rules, which prohibit external purchases if there's not also an option for Apple's in-app purchases. Apple's developer rules state: &… Read more

When Microsoft's mega-hit Kinect motion controller for the Xbox was released in 2010, its closed nature inspired a hefty bounty to hack it and come up with open-source drivers.

But now that Microsoft has released an official version of Kinect for Windows, the team that offered that payout is wondering whether they might have to do it again.

Microsoft eventually realized that there was an insatiable thirst for developing open-source Kinect projects and released a software development kit of its own. But now the folks at open-source hardware purveyors Adafruit are wondering if the new Kinect for Windows platform … Read more

Onkyo's new "iOnly" family of iPod speakers has three models, iOnly Play (ABX-100), iOnly Stream (ABX-N300), and iOnly Bass (SBX-300).

I have the SBX-300 in for review, and it sounds pretty nice. The look is basic, but the black cloth speaker grilles, brushed-aluminum base and carry handle, and the retractable dock give the SBX-300 a nice sense of style. An LED display peeks through the upper right hand side of the grille and indicates volume and bass boost level. The Active Bass Control Circuit boost is available in two steps, via the small remote control. Power is … Read more

Apparently, the designers at Fluance think different.

Instead of plastic they made their FiSDK500 iPod speaker out of wood, and they made it sound good enough to please audiophiles. It's usually $200, but it's on sale through November 7 for just $100. (Just be sure to add the coupon code "FISDK500" when checking out.)

I usually judge iPod speakers on a different scale than regular speakers. I have to, they're handicapped in a number of ways, even the $600 models never really delver hi-fi sound quality, and the one-piece models have almost no stereo separation. … Read more

Microsoft is finally opening up its Kinect motion-gaming peripheral for commercial, third-party applications.

The software giant said today that starting in early 2012, any company will be able to access a Kinect software development kit (SDK) that will let them create commercial applications for Windows. Already, 200 companies, including Toyota and Razorfish, are taking advantage of Microsoft's commercial SDK as part of a pilot program.

Microsoft did not announce an exact release date for its commercial SDK.

A commercial SDK is a long time coming for companies that have been hoping to take advantage of Kinect on PCs. Currently, … Read more