Dedication’s what you need
Microsoft's motion-sensing controller - Kinect for Xbox 360 - has been officially confirmed by the Guinness World Records as the fastest selling consumer electronic device ever.
Microsoft sold 8 million Kinect sensors worldwide over the first 60 days after launch, from 4 November 2010 to 3 January 2011. Kinect had a good start and emerged best selling new category ever when Microsoft announced that it sold 2.5 million units in the first 25 days.
The ultimate authority on record breaking also noted that the sales figures of Kinect surpassed both the iPhone and iPad sales for equivalent periods of time after launch.
Gaz Deaves, Editor of Guinness World Records 2011 Gamer's Edition, said: "The sales figures here speak for themselves. We can confirm that no other consumer electronics device sold faster within a 60-day time span, an incredible achievement considering the strength of the sector."
Microsoft itself wasted little time in releasing a statement, adding that it has now sold over 10 million Kinect sensors and a similar amount of Kinect-specific games. Strategically this is especially important for Microsoft as most of its other non-PC initiatives are experiencing nothing like this success.
Microsoft's hands-free controller outshone Nintendo's Wii console. According to Mashable, Wii took nearly two years to hit the ten million mark. However, new research from UK discount website MyVoucherCodes.co.uk revealed that a majority of Wii owners haven't used the gadget in more than six months time.
Mark Pearson, chairman of MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, said that "the Wii really was a novelty when it first came out, but following the release of new motion controlled gaming platforms it appears that people have lost enthusiasm for the console."
According to Cnet, Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter said in a research note to investors that Nintendo likely sold 305,000 Wii units in the U.S. in February, down 23 percent year over year. He estimates Xbox 360 at the top spot for February, tallying 385,000 unit sales.
Following Kinect's huge success, gesture recognition and motion sensing technologies have been gaining notably greater acceptance among gadget makers. This year's Consumer Electronics Show witnessed numerous manufacturers demoing their prowess. Teaming up with PrimeSense, ASUS looks to outdo Microsoft with a Kinect-like PC.
