News
Connect Pritect to Protect Kinect
Diamond Bar, CA February 16, in the year of our Lord
2012 – When the Kinect for Microsoft Xbox 360 launched
in 2010 the world was so captivated by this exciting new way to
play video games via motion control that it became the Guinness
World Record holder for fastest-selling consumer electronic
product. With over 18 million sold to date, that’s great news
for Microsoft, but questions of in-home security and privacy
have continued to plague the platform ever since. Now Catalyst
Components has launched the Pritect Sensor Cover, the first and
only product designed to address these security issues
surrounding the Xbox 360 Kinect and Kinect for Windows.
Paul Harper, Pritect’s inventor and the President of Catalyst
Components, comments: “For the first time ever, we have invited
into our living rooms a technology which can not only capture
video and sound data, but can also identify specific individuals
using advanced biometrics, or 3-d facial recognition. The Kinect
can see everything when powered on and for most users, has a
direct connection to the internet. It’s like a giant window into
your home, but you can never know who might be looking in. With
Pritect, you can now close the blinds.”
“The Pritect Sensor Cover is the first and only product designed
to protect the Kinect’s lenses, eliminate the camera’s view when
not in use, and block the LED and infrared sensor lights for an
optimal home theater,” continued Harper. “Pritect does not
interfere with Kinect’s startup calibrations or voice command
functions; it simply eliminates the light necessary for the
camera to operate.”
By Microsoft’s own admission, the Kinect camera has the
potential to record advertising data in any room where it’s
placed. According to Microsoft’s COO of Interactive
Entertainment Business, Dennis Durkin, if people are watching a
sports event, the Kinect’s camera can identify what jersey they
are wearing so it can determine the team they support. Such data
is valuable to advertisers who can then tailor their advertising
to that household. Whether by this type of business practice,
malicious hackers, or some other unforeseen threat, if the
camera is on, even when not in use, and remains exposed to the
room, personal privacy has the potential to be compromised for
anyone who owns a Kinect.
Indentifying these issues early on, Catalyst Components
developed Pritect, a simple device that can ensure in-home
privacy, but easily allow access to Kinect when desired. Made in
the USA from high gloss injection molded plastic, Pritect fits
seamlessly onto the Kinect, perfectly complimenting the Kinect’s
aesthetics while providing a protective shell that blocks the
camera and LED/infrared lights while safeguarding against dust
and debris.
“The Kinect is an amazing device that will continue to assert
itself as an integral part of gaming and in many other
applications” commented Paul Harper. “The ability to play games
without a controller has added an entirely new level of fun and
excitement. However, it also has some questionable and, some
might say, chilling implications that we should all be aware of.
As a father, privacy and safety is my number one concern.
Pritect allows the user to determine how and when the camera is
exposed and provides an additional layer of security that
doesn’t detract in any way from the Kinect’s entertainment value
to the family.”
Product Highlights:
Designed specifically for Xbox 360 Kinect and Kinect for Windows
Designed to obstruct Kinect’s camera view when not in use
Ensures privacy and security against potential prying eyes
Blocks LED and infrared light for home theater environments
Protects optical lenses from dust and debris
Does NOT interfere with voice command or calibration
Easily slips on and off Kinect
Conforms to Kinect’s sleek black aesthetic
Available at Best Buy, Microcenter, Target and Amazon.com
Suggested Retail Price: $14.99
Made in the USA
