Microsoft’s Kinect-less console cuts the cost

MICROSOFT’S cheapy version of the Xbox One games console goes on sale this week for a $100 less than when launched last year.

Microsoft’s console cuts the cost

MICROSOFT’S cheapy version of the Xbox One games console goes on sale this week for $100 less than when launched last year but without the Kinect motion sensing controller.

Microsoft made much of the included Kinect at the launch of the Xbox One last year, even though it meant it cost $50 more than the competing Sony PS4.

The Kinect gives voice and gesture control for the Xbox One interface and figures as an alternative control in some games.

The Kinect-less version sells for $499, while the Kinect-ed version goes for $599.

A hidden benefit of running an Xbox One without the Kinect will be more performance for game graphics.

Microsoft was setting aside about 10 per cent of the console’s processing power for Kinect-­related and system tasks. With a new developer toolkit arriving this month, programmers can tap into the reserve power, potentially leading to the creation of smoother, more detail-rich games running in higher resolutions, the company indicated.

Meanwhile, PC users will be able to score a version of the updated Kinect that shipped with the Xbox One. Kinect for Windows v2 will start shipping to developers next month.