It’s been one whole year (almost) since the Kinect motion controller for Xbox 360 was launched around the world, giving us the joy of controller-free gaming in the process.

Kinect was rapturously received by eager consumers as 10 million of the devices were snapped up in roughly four months on sale, and according to Guinness World Records, Kinect also became the “fastest-selling consumer electronics device” in history after achieving 8 million units sold during its first 60 days on sale, securing its place in the history books.

El33tonline has had a great time with Kinect with games like Dance Central, Kinect Sports, Kinect Adventures, The Gunstringer and, more recently, Just Dance 3, while other amazing titles like Raving Rabbids: Alive & Kicking as well as Double Fine’s Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster and Happy Action Theater prove Kinect’s worth as an excellently fun gaming device.

Kinect has been used outside of games, too, and in what Microsoft has termed ‘The Kinect Effect,’ people around the world have been using Kinect for new and creative applications, as well as platforms for research in fields such as medicine.

Here’s an infographic with a few strains of this ‘Kinect Effect:’

To mark the worldwide launch of Kinect on November 4th last year, it’s been announced that the ‘Kinect For Windows’ commercial programme will launch in early 2012, which will give businesses “the tools to develop applications that not only could improve their own operations, but potentially revolutionize entire industries.”

According to Microsoft, over 200 businesses, including Toyota and Razorfish, have joined a pilot programme for Kinect For Windows in order to begin exploring the possibilities of Kinect as the device relates to their own operations.

“While no one knows what the future holds,” reads a release, “if the past year is any indication, it’s going to be inspiring.”

Happy birthday Kinect and thanks for the joy you’ve brought so far - we hope game developers continue to explore the potential of controller-free gaming!