Microsoft&'s Surface touchscreen technology for large displays has lost a lot of bulk in its newest iteration, and in the process it has also given LCDs the power to see with its new PixelSense technology.
Unlike the bulky original Surface, which required a large cabinet to house cameras, the new version looks no thicker than a traditional LCD display. Microsoft&'s new PixelSense technology allows the new Surface displays to see without the need for a camera. It can recognize fingers, hands and other objects pressed directly onto the screen &8212' a Microsoft representative showed how it can recognize text written onto a piece of paper.
Microsoft worked together with Samsung to deliver the new version of Surface, which will be available as the &''Samsung SUR40 with Microsoft Surface&''. The company lists Red Bull and the Royal Bank of Canada as early adopters of the new technology, and it will also be available in Microsoft&'s retail stores.
The new Surface can be mounted on walls, instead of being something you look down on like the previous version. The Royal Bank of Canada will be using the displays to read forms that are mailed to its customers. With the new form factor, there are vastly more potential uses for Surface.
Microsoft says the Samsung SUR40 will be available in 23 countries worldwide later this year. There&'s no word on pricing yet, but I suspect it will be cheaper than the original Surface, which is currently available for $12,500 to commercial buyers.
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Companies: Microsoft, Samsung
People: steve ballmer
Companies: Microsoft, Samsung
People: steve ballmer
Devindra Hardawar is VentureBeat's lead mobile writer and East Coast correspondent. He studied philosophy at Amherst College, worked in IT support for several years, and has been writing about technology since 2004. He now lives in Brooklyn, New York. You can reach him at devindra@venturebeat.com (all story pitches should also be sent to tips@venturebeat.com), and on Twitter at @Devindra.
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