Switchfast Blog: The Future of IT
Microsoft’s Xbox Kinect: A Future Small Business Tool?
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 by Matt Hymel
Where there is technology, there is business opportunity. In
this case, a familiar manufacturer, Microsoft, has released the
most up-to-date interactive gaming technology for their
well-established Xbox 360 console. The product, code named "Project
Natal," received its official launch name: Kinect.
According to Mary-Jo Foley over at ZDNet.com, "Kinect is part of
Microsoft's continuing quest to bring to market Natural User
Interface (NUI) technologies like touch, voice and
gesture-recognition." She also adds that although Microsoft won't
be "touting the device as an accompaniment to a PC for a while,"
there are possibilities with integrating current Microsoft business
software with the unique interface.
While small business won't likely benefit directly from the
Kinect's hardware, it could benefit greatly from the software and
underlying technology that is Natural User Interface. An article by Larry Dignan, a ZDNet blogger,
highlights several possible business applications that Kinect and
similar gesture-based programs could improve:
Enhanced PowerPoint presentations. Ditch that
annoying clicker and upgrade to your pointer finger - or just use
your whole body. A further integration of human movement and
computer software opens a plethora of possibilities for unique yet
strategic executions within PowerPoint itself.
Teleconferencing. The adjective used to
distinguish Kinect from other similar video conferencing tools is
"intuitive." In a sense, "Kinect will track your movements and
adjust automatically... you can walk around without leaving the
camera." The writer suggests seeing this feature in Office "at some
point."
Vertical industry uses. The example given here
speaks of healthcare industries utilizing gesturing to go through a
series of X-rays. While this can also be done using a tablet,
imagine getting an update from your mechanic on what exactly is
wrong with your vehicle, pointing out the location of the problem
and the parts needing replaced (all this without getting one drop
of oil on your hands).
Employee Training. Easily one of the more
exciting possibilities, this technology can be used where workplace
environments are either dangerous or critical, like nuclear
reactors or large factories. Using the Kinect to simulate training
programs or risk management situations would cut costs and provide
a dash of "real life" experience.
Creative industries - go crazy! Imagine the
interface from the Iron Man movies - now apply that to any creative
building process. Individuals like architects or designers can use
Kinect to manipulate or showcase their respective products, all
with simple hand gestures.
Embrace the security possibilities. According
to Microsoft, Kinect "recognizes you and your gestures." With PCs,
laptops, and mobile devices, this technology could erase the need
for passwords and instead rely on the image and gestures of the
identified user.
These are just a handful of speculative scenarios regarding a
fascinating new turn in NUI technology - can you think of any
interesting applications besides the items listed? Leave them in
the comments below!
Until Next Time -
Matthew Hymel
Switchfast Technologies
Chicago IT Support &
Consulting
Rochester
IT Support & Consulting
Leave comment: