Apple Closes OpenNI the Open Source Kinect Framework 82
mikejuk writes "The OpenNI website, home to the widely used framework for 3D sensing, will be shut down in April. When, in November 2013, Apple bought PrimeSense for $350 million, people speculated how this would affect the Capri mobile technology but no mention was made of what would happen to OpenNI, the open source SDK most often used as an alternative to Microsoft's closed SDK for the Kinect. After Apple acquired PrimeSense, its website quickly shut, but the Developers link still points to Open NI. The status of OpenNI is a not-for-profit whose framework allows developers to create middleware and applications for a range of devices, including the Asus Xtion Pro. It claims to be a widely used community with over 100,000 active 3D developers."
Why the negative doomsday tone? (Score:4, Insightful)
"...Fortunately the code will continue to be available via GitHub..."
Apple v. Samsung anyone? (Score:3, Insightful)
100,000 active developers? (Score:5, Insightful)
Surely at least one of them could lead a new project then.
So in November Apple bought a company that has some side project developing Open Kinect software, which obviously has little interest for Apple. This month, they give a heads up that the website for that side project will be shut down. The code for the side project will continue to be available through GitHub.
I'm not seeing much that's rage worthy here. Out of those 100,000 active developers, there is probably at least one that can set up and maintain a website
But it seems like the real complaint is that, since the takeover, there have been no paid staffers supporting the project. That does suck for the developers, but again I don't see why Apple would be obligated to continue that. With 100,000 active developers, I'd think they could each cough up a few bucks to cover a couple salaries if they really cared all that much.
Re:Why the negative doomsday tone? (Score:4, Insightful)
Because it shows how lame Apple is. They are totally comfortable taking open source code to use for themselves, but damned if they'll give anything of value back.
Right, that's why Clang and LLVM are not being developed, or Webkit, or... oh never mind. Sorry kid, I didn't mean to let reality intrude on your blissful state of hate and ignorance.