I am sure i have seen it somewhere before Surface I remember it then being a non microsoft developement though. If this is posted in the wrong forum, please delete, move or morph...
It was developed elsewhere, but not quite the same. Microsoft Surface has 5 cameras as well as the projector behind it. The other (more expensive method) uses Total Internal Reflection to detect multiple touches so it's more touch screen like.
As far as i know that is amazing, but old news... search multitouch on youtube and watch. Now, how long before Bill wants a patent. And wants to screw anybody else over that makes a better solution??
This isn't just multitouch, it's also image/object recognition. Plus, the surface of this is durable and can be replaced.
No doubt the Microsoft technology is already patented alongside Apple patenting their own. There're plenty of different multitouch iterations already developed or in the process and they'll all be protected no doubt by their respective developers. What interests me most about Microsoft's over the others is the ability to recognise the tags on the devices (can't remember the names) but they seem to have put the technology to the best use so far; the iPhone looks a bit weeny compared to this, especially with the bar features and mobile phone sales kiosk. <A88>
i've seen similar thing, but by sony, and it used a bit different approach - there were small square-ish puzzle like things, that you could put and arrange in any flavour and they would interact with each other, creating really usable interface it's called sony revolution, link here: http://gprime.net/video.php/sonyrevolution
Or you could just build one yourself. Sure it's only a synthesizer(sp?) but it's the first step and it's open source to boot. Uses the same principles though.
