Microsoft Kinect

following resources are really important:

Overall Statistical Information

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinect has very good statistical data about the device and a solid bunch of references.

Making novel use of Kinect

Point cloud rendering

1. http://www.blendernation.com/2010/11/26/microsoft-kinect-in-blender-realtime-point-cloud-demonstration/ It talks about making use of Kinect device to capture point cloud and renders it using Blender at 2-15 FPS depending upon the point-cloud quality. The video, was not very impressive, basically because it's a very badly composed video, you can't make out anything from it!!!
2. http://www.digitalsociety.org/2010/11/kinect-modified-to-capture-true-3d-video/ showcases an impressive video!!!!! A researcher at University of California Davis, Oliver Kreylos has produced one of the most amazing demonstrations of true 3D video using an off-the-shelf Microsoft Kinect.

Potential applications of Kinect
What makes Kinect an amazing device - is - the fact that it is able to capture purely 3D data ( 3D points ) at 30 FPS. Let me say it again more loudly - 30 FPS!

The original purpose of Kinect is clearly in gaming, as the device, when released, has been meant to be used along with XBOX 360. Using Kinect, a user would be able to interact / manipulate with the 3D virtual world, by just making suitable gestures, mostly as if he/she were physically there.

The first use-case of Kinect that comes to my mind is telepresence.