If you're the kind of person who likes to jump around in your living room while waving your arms and talking to your television, there's good news for you: It will now cost you $40 less to do so.
Microsoft's Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb announced Wednesday that the company is permanently dropping the price of Kinect — the Xbox 360 peripheral that lets you control video games and other media with the movements of your body and with voice commands.
Starting immediately, Kinect will cost $109.99. That's down from its previous price $149.99. (You'll still need an Xbox 360 console, sold separately except in bundles — which we assume will see a commensurate price drop.)
Microsoft launched Kinect in November 2010 and while the device has been derided by hardcore gamers, it has sold well and has taken off among gadget tinkerers of all stripes, who have used it to control robots, fly helicopters and help the blind.
Microsoft is rumored to be working on a new and improved version of Kinect ... as well as the next Xbox. Could this price drop portend a fresh wave of Xbox news? Stay tuned...
Winda Benedetti writes about video games for NBC News. You can follow her tweets about games and other things on Twitter here @WindaBenedetti and you can follow her on Google+. Meanwhile, be sure to check out the IN-GAME FACEBOOK PAGE to discuss the day's gaming news and reviews.
