Microsoft has worked on differentiating its products from Samsung and Apple. According to The Verge, the tech giant is incorporating its Kinect "gesture detection" technology into Windows Phone. Since this is a new arena not scaled by any other company thus far, this integration could garner several attention.

For those unfamiliar with Microsoft's Kinect, it is a line of motion sensing input devices by Microsoft for Xbox 360 and Xbox One video game consoles and Windows PCs. This device is a Webcam-styled external device that enables users to interact with their console, without using a game controller. Instead, it understands gestures and voice commands.

Microsoft's Kinect is still not a mandatory add-on for gamers that own Xbox consoles. The idea of integrating Kinect-like software technology into smartphone devices could catapult the handset industry in the future.

The functionality of this new technology integration in Windows Phone will allow users to answer the phone call by holding against the ear, instead of pressing buttons. Also, users can switch to the speaker phone option by placing the device on the table, while on a call with someone.

The publication said users can even end the call by putting the phone back into the pocket. This is achieved by Kinect's innate capability to understand what users like or want based on the lighting and positioning of the device.

The Redmond-based Microsoft is working on this 3D touch technology to get rid of the usage of smartphone buttons and move to gesture-based smart controls. If this technology works out, the zoom feature in camera can be turned on by dragging the fingers along the side of the device. Also, the need for power button can be removed and hence a phone can be powered on by gripping the phone, said The Verge.

Moreover, Microsoft is planning to introduce this new Kinect-like, gesture-based Windows Phone feature on a new device dubbed as "Nokia McLaren." The phone is considered as the successor of Lumia 1020. Also, Amazon is working on one such unnamed 3D smartphone. Interested readers can check out the details from IBTimes.

What do you think of the gesture-based controls on smartphones? Are you game for it? Feel free to leave a comment.