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Microsoft has confirmed that it will release a PC software development kit for non-commercial Kinect use.

The Xbox 360 motion sensor is already being widely used by enthusiasts and researchers as an easy in to motion sensing technology, rather than using hacked third-party software in future such users will be available to development software with an official development framework.

Press release after the jump.

Microsoft says it has now sold over 2.5 million Kinect motion control systems, with sales boosted in particularly by Black Friday sales in North America.

"We are thrilled about the consumer response to Kinect, and are working hard with our retail and manufacturing partners to expedite production and shipments of Kinect to restock shelves as fast as possible to keep up with demand," said Don Mattrick, president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "With sales already exceeding two and a half million units in just 25 days, we are on pace to reach our forecast of 5 million units sold to consumers this holiday."

"Kinect on Xbox 360 was a top performer at Target this weekend," said Nik Nayar, vice president, merchandising, Target. "We expect Kinect will be a must-have gift this holiday season, so Target will continue to receive consistent shipments of Kinect throughout December. The hands-free, active gaming experience that Kinect offers is something that everyone in the family can enjoy."

We wonder how many people have bought Kinect to play around with on their PC now open-source drivers have been created by the tinkering community.

According to the UK Interactive Entertainment Association (formerly ELSPA) the UK videogames industry saw its highest grossing week ever - an estimated £113.8 million.

The record breaking week is thanks to the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Microsoft Kinect.

Black Ops entered the chart in top place, meanwhile eight of Kinect's launch games made the top 40.

"The video games and interactive entertainment industry has already seen a great start to quarter 4 2010 and the success of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Microsoft’s Kinect adds to this," said the UKIE's Mike Rawlinson. "The positive sales figures of titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops, new hardware launches like Kinect, the emergence of casual/mobile games like Angry Birds and Cut the Rope and social networking games such as Farmville show that video games and other forms of interactive entertainment continue to be played by more people than ever – with 1 in 3 people in the UK now being gamers."

"Given the huge audiences for games on all formats, 2010 has been a year of unprecedented activity and focus. And with more video games than ever before being played, on an ever growing range of games consoles, PCs, mobile phones, mobile devices and internet enabled TVs, the industry has widened beyond all expectations and will continue to expand exponentially in 2011."

Adafruit Industries offered a prize of US$2000 for the first open-source driver for Microsoft's Kinect motion control camera system.

Just days after the wager from the MIT graduate company two other MIT grads have won the prize.

"It's amazing hardware that shouldn't just be locked up for Xbox 360," Adafruit member Phillip told CNET. "Its 'radar camera' being able to get video and distance as a sensor input from commodity hardware is huge."

You can see video of the hack in operation on the NUI community forum.

Source: Next-Gen.biz

With Microsoft's Kinect just around the corner, a new trailer has been released pimping one of its launch titles: Kinect Sports.

What we see is the typical happy family engaging in healthy competition on the wide variety of sports the game has to offer, including boxing, bowling and football, and although it presents us with nothing new in the way of information, I'll be damned if it doesn't make it look fun.

Kinect Sports and Kinect itself both launch tomorrow in the US and next Wednesday 10th here in the UK.

Continue reading to view the joy.

Microsoft had previously said that the new Kinect motion control system for Xbox 360 would use around ten to 15 percent of the console's resources.

However the company has been working hard at reducing the overheads for the system and according to lead developer Alex Kipman now only makes use of a "single-digit" percentage.

Source: Engadget

A new Sonic Free Riders trailer has emerged from SEGA detailing the upcoming game's weapons - and just how to execute them with your Kinect unit.

These range from standard boosts and jump tricks to giant cans of soda that act as makeshift jet propulsion. You can't make this stuff up!

Hit the break to watch.

Sonic Free Riders launches with Kinect on November 10th 2010.

Microsoft will have 19 games ready for Kinect at the launch on November 4th.

"The line-up of games we are launching along with Kinect delivers an astonishing range of experiences and entertainment which can be enjoyed by everyone," said Chris Lewis, Vice President of IEB, Microsoft EMEA. "Kinect creates a more natural and responsive experience for people of all interests and skill levels. That’s why we are so excited to offer people something truly unique that exists nowhere else."

There's a family feel to the launch line-up as you'd expect with a peripheral set to go head to head with Wii this Christmas.

Check out the list after the jump:

I'm sure the irony won't be lost on many of you. The game that required the most elaborate controller in console history is to return - but you won't need a controller to play it.

Capcom has announced Steel Battalion Heavy Armor for Xbox 360 which will support the Kinect motion control system.

Players will control mechs using their own body movement - not unlike we've seen in the Avatar movie.

Check out the full announcement after the jump:

Microsoft has this morning announced the Special Edition Xbox 360 250GB with Kinect which will be available in the UK for £299.99 on November 10th.

The package comes complete with the slim X360, Kinect controller and a copy of Kinnect Adventures - which features 15 minigames.

Full PR after the jump:

Microsoft has announced that the Kinect Xbox 360 motion control system will be release in Australia on November 18th for AUS$199.

A 4GB Xbox 360 Slim bundle will also be available complete with Kinect system for AUS$449.

Kinect is set for release in Europe on November 10th and in the US on November 8th.