Your Kinect will need 40 percent less space next month when peripherals manufacturer Nyko Technologies releases the Zoom for Kinect. The clip-on peripheral will be available nationwide in stores and online August 23 for an MSRP of $29.99. With a series of proprietary lenses and a simple clip-on design, Nyko says the Zoom lets players enjoy Microsoft Kinect games in 40% less space, and requires no additional power or batteries. This would make it perfect for apartments, dorms and small living rooms, with the Zoom allowing two people play Kinect in a space that would otherwise only accommodate one person and is compatible with any Kinect game. Announced at E3 2011, the Zoom was nominated for Best Hardware in Show by IGN, GameSpot, Machinima and G4 X-Play.

“The success of the Zoom at E3 was outstanding and we are incredibly excited to help expand the already thriving fanbase of Kinect gamers, allowing even more people to enjoy the thrills of being the controller,” said Chris Arbogast, director of marketing at Nyko Technologies. “We are also proud to be working with all of our retail partners on our first ever simultaneous national launch for an accessory. Come August 23rd you will be able to find the Zoom on store shelves everywhere.”

Nyko is proud of the design and technology accomplishments achieved with the Zoom and has taken out multiple patents to protect and ensure the first and only play space reduction lens for Kinect remains a mainstay of the Nyko line.

However, Micfrosot said today that “Kinect for Xbox 360 has been tested for performance, accuracy and environmental conditions thoroughly.  Any modification can adversely impact the overall performance.” That’s as far as they would go. Glossyeyed.com was told the company was “not coordinating any interviews around this.”

It should be noted that, like all Nyko products, the Zoom was developed independently, in-house by Nyko – a respected peripheral company. Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft are rarely – if ever – in the habit of endorsing third-party peripherals.

We’ll let you know how we feel about the Zoom when we get our hands on one next month.

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