Microsoft will be phasing out the original Kinect for Windows in 2015 to increase the adoption and development of the second-generation sensor.
The company has announced that the original Kinect for Windows sensor will not be sold in 2015, and organizations who have invested into creating experiences based on the sensor should notify Microsoft in advance to have stock reserved for them.
Microsoft released the Kinect for Windows V2 sensor earlier in the year and also enabled development using the Xbox One version of Kinect, using the Kinect Adapter for Windows. With the 2.0 SDK, the company expects developers to create even more interesting applications using features such as "enhanced body tracking, greater depth fidelity, full 1080p high-definition video, new active infrared capabilities, and an expanded field of view" which are absent from the older sensor.
The latest SDK also enables developers to create apps which can be published to the Windows Store, among other reasons to make the switch to V2.
Source: Microsoft | Image via Microsoft