11th Mar 11
Microsoft Kinect breaks sales records
by Paul Russell
Microsoft’s Kinect has blown Apple’s iPhone and iPad into the weeds, as it blazes its way to setting a new record as the quickest-selling consumer electronics product in history. Guinness World Records has confirmed the record-setting pace of Kinect sales.
The Kinect gives users of the Microsoft Xbox 360 games console a hands-free interface. The motion-sensing technology managed to average daily sales of 133,333 units in the first 60 days following its retail release on 4 November.
The Kinect sales figures, which cover the period up to 3 January, are substantially higher than those seen for both the Apple iPhone and iPad over the same period following their launches. Gaz Deaves, editor of the Gamer’s Edition of the Guinness World Records 2011, said the sales figures were particularly impressive, given the competition in the sector.
Since its release in November last year, Microsoft’s Kinect has sold more than eight million units. This is more than double the figures Microsoft had been forecasting and let Microsoft produce profit figures for January that beat analysts’ forecasts.
Kinect uses a camera to track players’ movements. Microsoft developed the hands-free controller technology in a bid to wrest market share in the casual gamer sector from the Nintendo Wii.
Nintendo revolutionised video gaming with its wireless handheld controller. Instead of manipulating a joystick or a thumb controller, players hold move the Wii controller through the air to play games. Microsoft has taken the idea a huge step forward by eliminating the hand-held controller altogether.
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