Hack [ANYTHING] with Microsoft Kinect
If you're reading about this panel, you're likely familiar with - or at least interested in - the Microsoft Kinect. The Kinect's RGB camera and "depth" cameras simplify computer vision problems that were previously very difficult -- like interpreting skeletal motion. How else can gesture and speech technology change the way people interact with each other, find information, or perhaps locate the best nearby sandwich? The answer: Kinect meets the Internet. Join representatives from Microsoft and Yelp for a discussion about designing user interfaces for Kinect; some of the challenges of the technology; and how to build experiences optimized for hands-free interaction. Additionally, see demos of hacks, and learn how you can incorporate Kinect into your everyday -- both professionally or personally!
Presenters
Dan Fernandez is a Director in the Developer and Platform Evangelism team at Microsoft. Dan runs the Channel 9 team that creates content including screencasts, interviews, weekly shows and open source Coding4Fun apps that show off fun, cool uses of Microsoft technology. Dan has been with Microsoft since July 2001, working in multiple roles including the Lead Product Manager for Visual Studio Express and Microsoft Popfly, the Visual C# Product Manager, and as a Developer Evangelist in the Mid-Atlantic district. Prior to joining Microsoft, he worked as a developer at several consulting firms including IBM Global Services specializing in web-based and mobile application development. You can watch Dan's weekly developer recap show at http://ch9.ms/twc9 or follow him on Twitter at @danielfe.
John Boiles graduated from UT Austin with a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. By day he is a versatile engineer on Yelp's iOS team. By night, John enjoys hacking on projects that vary from Kinect controlled quadcopters to an iphone-controlled Oldsmobile. Before joining Yelp he used his skills for awesome by building effects for events, tv and movies in Austin as well as volunteering in West Africa building websites for budding local enterprises.