Perhaps one of the most innovative, and highly received gadgets of the last few years is the Microsoft Kinect device for the Xbox 360. Functioning as a motion sensing input device, the Kinect builds on, and improves, the functionality that the Nintendo Wii brought to the gaming world. Released in November 2010, the Kinect allows users to feel as if they are a part of the game they are playing on an Xbox 360 by sensing motion and voice commands to control scenes.

Kinect, developed by Microsoft, is rather amazing. Thanks to a few cameras and sensors, this Xbox add-on can accurately detect body movements in real time. Thanks to the just-released SDK, which the Redmond company unveiled today, developers will be able to code their own applications for the device connected to Windows PCs, making good for more than just games.