Video: Beyond Touch with Pixel Sense from Microsoft Surface

Microsoft have worked with Samsung and have presented an update to their cool looking MS Surface with the addition of Pixel Sense. Whereas before the table required just cameras to see, it uses infra-red to pinpoint every item interacting with the display. Kinda Kinect-like. Not only does this include fingers, but also printed items. You’ll see how in the video below it recognizes print. MS surface is meant to be for industry use. In the Royal Bank of Canada demo, a flyer activates a promo much like a quick-barcode or NFC, but this is just with a plain image.

We saw somewhat of a similar infra-red based touch with Nokia’s ice touch screen (which itself is based on MS Surface). Being thinner, it’s not just a big cumbersome table, but can now be mounted to walls as a kiosk.

Imagine somehow this could be shrunk into the phone whereby the entire display is also a camera. Perhaps this is how Nokia can bypass the silly fixed focus cameras and allow folks to take macro business cards :p (Seriously, NO Nokia, I’d still prefer macro cam for macro shots)

Nokia are supposedly working on features in research centre to physically improve the touch experience with things like electrotactile feedback. This would allow you to feel actual textures, e.g. a button, instead of just a vibration. Now this would allow, perhaps, texting whilst on the move. I find this incredibly difficult on portrait QWERTY (unless its SWYPE). Or when you’re chatting (well should you really be texting whilst talking to a person!).

gsmarena07

Tags: Microsoft, Pixel Sense, Surface, Touch

Category: Video