Rumor has it that Microsoft is developing a SDK (software development kit) with new drivers that will let its Kinect motion sensor work with windows so programmers can create software that lets the kinect plug directly into a Windows PC.

DUH! You would think that Microsoft would want their gaming system motion sensor to work with THEIR operating systems. Plenty of independent programmers have already written drivers that allow the kinect to work with PCs and other devices.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at CES 2011 said that the company has sold over 8 million Kinect sensors in just 60 days on the market and that they will support Kinect for Windows “in the right time.” It seems to me that when every talented hacker/programmer is already writing the drivers and they have sold over 8 million of the devices that soon, if not now, should be the ” right time.”

Kinect hackers are demonstrating the potential of the technology for use on PCs. An unnamed source said that Microsoft plans to include these new drivers with a beta tag for the company’s XNA Game Studio Tools.  Rumor also has it that Microsoft will integrate kinect support into it next version of the Windows operating system.

Only time will tell what Microsoft will actually do. But, I am anxiously awaiting the outcome.