Microsoft tried its hardest to turn the Kinect into something great, but the peripheral never managed to win over the hearts of the general gaming population. There are many reasons why the Kinect failed, even though the device had some neat applications. It played a pretty large role in the initial negative feedback that the Xbox One faced after its reveal, and has had a lasting effect on the console's sales. However, the device appears to have found a new calling - though it isn't quite what Microsoft originally had in mind for it.

Video Game Historian Jacob Scott spotted the motion device at Newark Liberty International Airport, where it appears to be being used as a security system. The Kinect can be seen attached to a long arm, which is being used to monitor crowds as they move about the airport. Close-ups of the device reveal that the Xbox logo is still imprinted on them, though this doesn't necessarily seem like the type of marketing that Microsoft would want for the Kinect or the Xbox brand in general.

Microsoft officially killed off the Kinect two years ago, and newer versions of the Xbox One require an adapter to even be able to use it. Now, they're almost non-existent on store shelves unless they're pre-owned. Microsoft really seems to have given up on the device, though it wasn't something many fans wanted in the first place. The Kinect was originally required to use an Xbox One, though there's still a large number of consumers that feel uncomfortable adding cameras to their homes, which was one of the major challenges the device faced.

It's unclear whether or not Microsoft condoned using the Kinect to monitor an airport, though it doesn't seem very likely that they would. Still, it is possible that the company licensed out the device as a way to clear out some remaining inventory and reduce some of their losses on the units.

The next generation of Xbox hardware is just on the horizon with Xbox Project Scarlett, though it's probably safe to say that the Kinect isn't part of those next-gen plans. Microsoft has been focusing more on its games and services lately than with additional hardware, which is likely a good move if history is any indicator.