Microsoft’s final CES keynote and what it means for Kinect

It’s official: Microsoft Kinect for Windows goes live on February 1. Announced by Steve Ballmer at Microsoft’s final CES keynote, the technology is coming with the official Microsoft Kinect SDK, which has been in beta testing since June 2011, and includes Near Mode, a setting to focus and trail objects as close as 50cm away — perfect for at-the-desk use.

Available for pre-order at Amazon for $249.99, Kinect for Windows is going to open the door to all kinds of...