Freakin Awsome, this is beyond cool. Also kind of reminds me of Minority report, just not the 4D version of it.

Be sure to read the whole article.

this thing is really cool make sure to watch the video in the article.

Something similar as been unveiled in February 2006
by Jefferson Y. Han


So is it convergence of ideas or did M$ copied somebody else research again ?

You decide...

Thanks for the info rwatuny.

Freakin Awsome, this is beyond cool. Also kind of reminds me of Minority report, just not the 4D version of it.

That's exactly what I was thinking!

Microsoft Rox!!!!

Multi Touch interface
http://cs.nyu.edu/~jhan/ftirtouch/

and a little like BumpTop
http://bumptop.com/

... Top secret? I presented this project to my Engineering class last year. Microsoft didn't do it first, thats for sure.

I'm just saying, I saw other companies do this same thing first...

almost five years in the making

I just wanted to point that out, many are pointing to things they saw a year ago. Further, the way the article sounded to me was that this is close (relative to the others) to being a product.

Jeff's Site is now http://www.perceptivepixel.com/ (best video of them all btw)

Yet more proof MS is behind.

Hmmm, considering they are close to marketing this to companies and it has been in the works for 5 years I'm not sure how that is proof they are behind. Further I found its integration with the wireless modem to download pictures by just setting the camera on the surface or charging a credit card by doing the same to be very innovative and interesting.

I can confirm what BitDrifter is talking about.

Actually (and I hope I don't get in trouble for this) but I helped to build the prototypes for this unit between 2003 and 2005. Although its not such a strikingly original idea that nobody else could have independently thought up the same thing, I can practically guarantee you this has been in development for far to long to simply be knocking-off another companies ideas.

I can also confirm that it is freakin awesome.

Good lord, Austin, you've had a hell of a career. When did you find the time to work on top-secret computer prototypes between getting shot at by third-world junta armies and doing scholarly research on religious violence?

The work on the prototypes paid for the research and the getting shot at. Growing up in Seattle is full of interesting opportunities. As you know, its not easy to make money as an academic, so, in the classic sense of scholarship, I'm a generalist: I do a little bit of everything to pay the bills.