Kinect can't read sign language

Microsoft has rubbished rumours that Kinect will be able to read sign language, which were sparked yesterday after a patent for such a system was spotted online.

Kinect will definitely not support sign language recognition in any way, a Microsoft spokesperson told Kotaku - at least, for now anyway.

"Microsoft files lots of patent applications to protect our intellectual property, not all of which are brought to market right away. Kinect that is shipping this holiday will not support sign language."

According to other sources cited by Kotaku the reason that Kinect can't read sign language is a technological one - the camera resolution is just too low to easily recognise individual fingers or follow their complicated movements at speed.

In fact, in our go with Kinect we found it occasionally even had trouble plotting the movement of limbs - check our Kinect first impressions to find out more.

It's not all bad news for those who communicate in sign language however - Valve is still said to be researching similar technology for conventional computer games.

Let us know your thoughts in the forums.