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Microsoft Confirms Kinect Adapters Will Not Be Free For Xbox One X
Xbox owners who upgraded from their original model to the Xbox One S might have been confused what they would do with their Kinect 2.0 on the new system, but were offered a free USB adapter by Microsoft. Aaron Greenberg, the head of Xbox game marketing, confirmed that this program will not be in place for the Xbox One X when it releases next month.
In a response on Twitter, Greenberg said that the promotion to get an adapter for your Kinect has ended, indicating that it would not be reinstated for anyone moving up to an Xbox One X.
The Xbox One launched with the Kinect 2.0 in 2013, betting heavily on the camera's mass appeal to audience. The extra cost ended up forcing Microsoft to remove the Kinect from later bundles, drop most software support for it, and then eventually start de-emphasizing its use in the Xbox One's operating system. The adapter itself, for those who want to bring their Kinect forward to the Xbox One X, is still available from the Microsoft Store and other electronics retailers for $39.99.
The Xbox One X launches on November 7 for $499.
Our Take
While the Kinect is nigh-useless at this point, the cost of the adapter is exorbitant, so it should be significantly cheaper if it's not completely free.
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