Kinect

Microsoft squandered its five-year head start in gesture control technology and is now falling behind. By the time the company gets Kinect for Windows into the consumer market, Leap Motion may already own that market.

Human-to-computer navigation is developing rapidly, bringing us closer to the day when all devices can be controlled by the user's gestures

If you're feeling a little lonely, technology is always there to help. Not only can you meet people via social networks, you could also create a robot that sits on your shoulder so your friends can virtually follow you wherever you go. But if that isn't enough for you, you can take it one step further and make an augmented reality (AR) girlfriend.

Earlier this year, Microsoft released Kinect for Windows -- a version of the motion-control Xbox peripheral that works out-of-the-box with a PC running Windows 7 or Windows 8.

We all lose or misplace our phones, keys, or wallets at some point. If it's not the mad scramble in the morning to recover your keys, it's the heart-stopping moment you reach for your phone to find it's not in your pocket. If you have a Kinect, though, no longer will these precious items be misplaced.

As you all know by now, the Kinect is a pretty epic piece of kit. But did you know that you can use the Kinect to pause, rewind, or fast-forward any video you watch using your Xbox 360? It's true--but it's also awkward to do at best.

Most gesture-based control systems we use today rely on either motion-capture cameras--like the Kinect--or a touchscreen device. But researchers from Microsoft Research and the University of Washington are developing a system that can detect object with sound waves, like how a bat does with echolocation.

Microsoft could soon offer a subsidized Xbox 360 for $99 along with a two-year contract for Xbox Live Gold in an attempt to popularize the Xbox as the main digital hub in living rooms across the U.S., according to an online report. As early as next week, Microsoft may start offering a 4GB Xbox 360 with Kinect sensor plus a two-year commitment to pay $15 per month for Xbox Live Gold, giving you access to the console's online services.

View Big Ben and Parliament from the sky, but watch out for the London Eye.

Unboxing videos are typically boring, unless you do it in a Darth Vader costume.

I think it's obvious that the Japanese need to get outside more often.

About a month ago, we wrote about a robot that a Microsoft employee built to keep his pet company during the day. Its creator, Microsoft Robotics test developer Jordan Correa, used a Kinect to serve as the robot's "eyes," and programmed it with Microsoft Robotics Developer Tool 4. And now, you too can use the same development software for your next robotics project.