In a Thursday announcement, Microsoft's Kinect for Windows team revealed that the next-generation Kinect for Windows sensor is now available for pre-order for developers. The new sensor can be pre-ordered by developers for $199, from the Windows Store.

However, the Kinect for Windows team has also said in its announcement that the developers who pre-order the next-generation Kinect for Windows sensor will receive it in July. The team said that the mentioned timeline of the availability of the new sensor for developers is "a few months ahead of general availability of sensors and the SDK."

Furthermore, according to the announcement made by the Kinect for Windows team, the new sensor - which is same as the sensor which comes with all Xbox One consoles sold till now - is available for pre-order in limited quantities. The team also said that the pre-order provision is available in only 22 regions, with there being a location-wise variation in the sensor's cost.

Meanwhile, although the mass consumer adoption of Kinect as a desktop peripheral still seems to be a long way to go, Microsoft is taking a notably plausible route to pitch the peripheral to the developers.

Along with announcing the availability of the new Kinect sensor for pre-order by developers, Microsoft has - in one of its "scenario" videos - envisioned the Kinect as a means for building a more engaging retail experience.