Microsoft researching split-screen desktop software
Microsoft research in India has developed a piece of software that magically doubles the productivity of a single computer with the simple addition of a second keyboard and mouse. Borrowing the concept from video games -- that's the first thing we think of when we see this setup, go figure -- the software effectively splits the screen in two and drops in a second cursor, allowing two users to use the same machine. Although the software is designed to allow two people to work independently of each other, it is possible for the cursor to cross the central boundary which apparently "opens the door on sharing and collaborating with documents." That's funny, because for us this scenario brings us back to the days of trackpad vs. mouse battles with younger siblings on our parents' laptop -- not exactly a "sharing" moment. In a more professional environment the potential for increased productivity is great, and could have a profound impact in regions where access to a computer remains a luxury that only the rich can afford. What with computer technology moving away from number crunching power to more effective hardware multitasking (think dual core CPUs and widescreen monitors), there's no time like the present for this kind of software. We grabbed a couple of shots of the technology in action at Microsoft's TechFest event this year. Check them out here and here.
[Via The Raw Feed]
