Microsoft Announce Kinect For Windows Is Coming To 12 Countries From 1st February For $249

Microsoft have announced Kinect for Windows, the PC Version of Kinect, is set to come out across 12 countries on 1st February. these countries are United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, United Kingdom. The suggested retail price is $249. Hardware will be limited at first, but it will become available through a variety of resellers and distributors. 

Later in 2012, Microsoft have announced Kinect for Windows will offered to Qualified Educational Users at special academic pricing, planned to be around $149. Microsoft have released this new Kinect trailer showing how the device has evolved from a gaming peripheral to how it can be used on PC.

Watch Kinect - CES 2012: Vision in Tech & Gaming  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Kinect for Windows has been specially designed and therefore has some unique features. the USB cable will be shortened and the cameras and sensors have been designed to see objects as close as 50cm away. this is called Near Mode.

Release Source: MSDN Blog 
Hardware Source: MSDN Blog