Microsoft has revealed in a recent announcement that with effect from June 9, it will start selling its latest Xbox One gaming console without the Kinect motion sensor. As such, the new option will bring down the cost of the Xbox One to $399 --- $100 less than the console's original cost of $499 with the Kinect sensor.

The announcement of the forthcoming launch of 'Xbox One without Kinect' option marks a U-turn by Microsoft, which had initially asserted - at the launch of the console - that it will not separate the console and the motion sensor.

Since the previous-generation Kinect sensor is not compatible with the new Xbox One, Microsoft has also announced that, for customers who opt for the 'Kinect-less' version of Xbox One, a standalone Kinect sensor will be launched by the company this fall, at an undisclosed price.

In other words, customers who purchase the Kinect-less option will have to wait for the Xbox One-compatible Kinect - and also shell out money for it - to enjoy the full Xbox One experience.

Meanwhile, Microsoft's move to release a Kinect-less option of the Xbox One apparently comes in the wake of the fact that the sales of the console are still lagging those of its closest rival --- the $399-priced Sony PlayStation 4 (PS4). Both Xbox One and PS4 were launched in November 2013, with the PS4 having been released a week ahead of Xbox One.