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Microsoft to demo spherical multi-touch

updated 03:50 pm EDT, Thu July 24, 2008

MS Surface Sphere Soon

Microsoft will demonstrate its previously only hinted-at spherical Surface display next week, the company has inadvertently revealed through its own floor map for its Research group's DemoFest event. Booth 110 at the show is listed as offering a "multi-touch spherical display" that resembles a previously described variant on the company's Surface touch computer, which for now is only available as a table-sized device for businesses such as AT&T stores and casinos.

The invention is likely to help demonstrate the advancements made in multi-touch input at Microsoft since Surface was first unveiled last year. The technology at the time required a flat display and relied on cameras to recognize contact, limiting the control options for the touchscreen. It's unknown whether a spherical version would still require cameras, though the format will demonstrate Microsoft's ability to create curved touchscreen surfaces.

Such a development also contributes to the possibility of introducing a home user-oriented Surface device, which Microsoft has said should appear with the next few years and was accelerated when Microsoft received an unexpectedly large number of requests for a home version from users. Present-day Surface tables cost at least $5,000 each and are often mated to company-specific software. [via ZDNet]

 
Previous Comments

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07/24, 04:32pm reply

...next up, a pyramid touchscreen and a cylindrical touchscreen.

MS is f****** dumb.

Horsepoo!!!

Banned

Joined: Jun 2003

+2

and we care, why?

07/24, 04:41pm reply

Once again, we have M$ trying to borrow someone else's idea and market as their own. Too bad they can't come up with anything in the least bit practical, much less make it actually work or achieve some level of stability.

My bets are on this going further south than the MS Media Server did.

danviento

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Dec 2005

+2

infringement

07/24, 09:43pm reply

Multi-Touch is a registered trademark of Apple, M$ needs to tread carefully

GruvDOne

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jun 2008

0

One word:

07/24, 10:30pm reply

Pfffft!

chotty

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Joined: Jan 2003

0

Clueless Fanboys

07/25, 11:02am reply

MS Surface was in development long before the iphone. Multi-Touch maybe a registered trademark of apple, but that only applies to the name. Perhaps apple will sue Electronista. That would not be out of character.

99% of people on this blog don't have a clue.

luckyday

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Apr 2008

-2

that's sad

07/25, 12:31pm reply

If MS has been working on Surface for longer than the iPhone (which took years of development itself), WTF haven't they released any commercially successful products yet?

Real artists ship.

malax

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2006

+1

Holy monkeys

07/25, 01:44pm reply

Oh man, I thought this was going to be an article on Steve Balmers privates.

manleycreative

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Sep 2005

+1

So

07/25, 01:47pm (1 reply) reply

So MS is touting technology that iPhone has had in the hands of millions of people for over a year ....

MacnnChester

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jun 2007

+1

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