Kinect for Xbox 360 now listed for $150... at Microsoft's own online store

[binary solo]

These are the things I found intertesting:

"**175 MB of memory required." So to use Kinect you will occupy ~70% of the memory of an Arcade. Hence any "Arcade" replacement with the slim design will only come with a Kinect Bundle if a) the Arcade replacement has a built in HDD, or b) the Arcade replacement doesn't have a HDD (stays with the 256MB internal memory) but also comes packed in with a XXXGB external memory device).

Note to current Arcade owners: You will need some additional memory for game save etc when you buy Kinect, or better still upgrade to a new XBox 360.

"Works alongside your Xbox 360 controller to enhance your entertainment."...interesting. Already seem to be signalling intent to release games where you use both Kinect and Controller.

What do they mean by Wi-Fi extension cable? Surely this is the cable that connects the Kinect to the console, if so, how is that Wi-Fi?

$249 Elite Clearance item: Out of Stock

$149 Arcade Clearance Item: Still in Stock

"Here's what you'll need to use the Kinect sensor:

• Xbox 360 console
• 6 feet (1.8 meters) between you and your television for play space†
• You!"

Erm, I think you need a game too. OK OK, you'll be able to do stuff without a game, but the main purpose for the Kinect is gaming. Kinect should be listed with a game.

New Xbox 360: Ports

2 front, 3 rear USB ports
1 Kinect port

What's a Kinect Port? Given older 360 skus don't have one what's the equivalent port?

On price: If you've owned a 360 for a while it means you've pretty much got reasonable value from the price you paid, or you will have by the time Kinect comes out. Buying a $149 new peripheral a game is a pretty good Christmas present even if it's a "family" Christmas present. However I don't think buying a replacement 360 and Kinect is gonna fly with too many families.

I don't think people should dismiss this prospective Kinect price on the basis of "what's important is grabbing the casual crowd and using Kinect to convince them to by a 360 rather than a Wii (and to a lesser extent rather than a PS3)". 360 most likely has reached 50% of it's lifetime install base (Assuming Kinect gives 360 a good sales boost and extends the life of the 360). MS really needs a substantial proportion of that install base to buy Kinect for Kinect games to get a reasonable attach rate. If the $149 price is going to be a barrier to existing 360 owners buying it, then the price will be substantially adjusted, or a Kinect game bundle will be $149. MS needs the support of the current base.