Microsoft intros the TouchWall -- maps will never be the same again

If you've been watching CNN's election coverage lately (and we think you have), then you've probably seen anchor John King tripping the light fantastic on the channel's Magic Wall touchscreen. Apparently, Microsoft has come up with its own version of the board -- essentially a Surface flipped on its side and mounted. The device, known as the TouchWall, joins a handful of finger-friendly prototypes that Microsoft Research is working on (including a spherical unit we assume will be used strictly for world domination campaigns). The 4-foot-by-6-foot "wall" uses inexpensive infrared sensors and a rear-mounted camera -- which can be added to a variety of surfaces -- in order to create the hands-on experience. The company appears to be targeting this as a low cost "intelligent whiteboard" solution, so hopefully they'll be turning up in schools, small businesses, and the Engadget offices soon. Check the video after the break to see it all in action.

[Via CNET]

[Jeremy Kemp @ May 15th 2008 11:19AM]

Because "intelligent whiteboard" doesn't sound anything at all like a SMART Board interactive whiteboard!

[matt @ May 15th 2008 11:52AM]

you have not lived till you have played peggle on a SMART board

[compuguy1088 @ May 15th 2008 11:55AM]

I've used a SMART board in the past, though it was front projected. I also don't think it is multitouch either.

[Jeremy Kemp @ May 15th 2008 11:56AM]

Or Warcraft 3. For, ummm, system testing purposes. But yeah, downsides to the SMART are front projection and no multi-touch.

[Deed @ May 15th 2008 3:39PM]

The few times I've got to use a smartboard in school, I always thought it required quite a bit of pressure to press, so whenever I had to drag something I had to practically gouge the damned thing just so it would register a touch constantly.

Also people getting in the way of the frontal projection meaning loads of shadows.

[tekman94 @ May 15th 2008 7:38PM]

At my school, my technology teacher uses a SMART board and this looks WAY cooler.

[Clinton @ May 15th 2008 10:36PM]

the guy specifies in the video that it's rear projected... and it IS multi-touch... he uses two hands to zoom in and out...

[Mitch @ May 16th 2008 6:48AM]

The top of the range Smart boards are in every class in our school. half the teachers have no idea how to use them, most using real pen on them.. and the ones who do just use it as a projector. Dumb.

[Generic @ May 16th 2008 9:22AM]

interactive porn, yeah baby...

[j_g_puff @ May 15th 2008 11:19AM]

Touching will never be the same again.

[BuddyBoy @ May 15th 2008 11:20AM]

Minority Report suddenly looks dated

[Joe @ May 15th 2008 1:47PM]

Except in Minority Report, one didn't have to touch anything ... you simply gestured in mid-air.

[Brendan Sheehan @ May 15th 2008 2:49PM]

I think it's possibly to assume you mistaking the movie Minority Report with another movie. After all it was the film where you can see crimes in the future to stop them before they happen with the help of air gestures in front of a glass, transparent wall-display.

This wall simply looks like a Jeff Han wall, and he was doing this stuff 4 years ago.

What separates sometime like the iPhone from this and from what Jeff Han is doing is the way the multi-touch UI is implemented and the technology that is used. Hence you don't need the iPhone to be 1 foot thick to make room for an internal rear-projector. i.e. much smaller form-factor, much more sensitive and responsive display, much less costly, with a much longer battery life for battery powered units.

What Microsoft is doing here is very like what Jeff Han is doing.

[Dude @ May 15th 2008 11:24AM]

surface but on a wall instead of a huge table?

INNOVATION!!!!

[Ya @ May 15th 2008 11:49AM]

STFU biatch!

[ScooterDe @ May 15th 2008 4:40PM]

finally, a usable version. Tables aren't ergonomic.

[TheCow5 @ May 15th 2008 11:29AM]

I want one, we have seen this in quite a number of TV shows.
so how do I get one and what will it cost.

[Jake Tobak @ May 15th 2008 11:38AM]

Actually, it's not as expensive as you might think. The most expensive part will be the projector itself most likely, or maybe the computer, but the actual touchy screeny part is pretty simple.
There was a really good community that worked on this stuff, but I can't remember their site. I remember finding it after seeing this Instructable, so it can probably help you, just turn it sideways so it's on the wall :P
http://www.instructables.com/id/Interactive-Multitouch-Display/

[Snoogans @ May 15th 2008 11:30AM]

Microsoft had this at least a year ago in their own visitor's center. What the hell?

[APasserBy @ May 15th 2008 10:08PM]

I believe the one you are talking in the visitor center wasn't actuallytouch sensitive, but rather controlled by in-air hand motions.

[ITRanger @ May 15th 2008 11:40AM]

I was going to say, give me a smaller soho version with bluetooth keyboard and light pen for £400 and I'll sign up.

However, the rear projector and kit behind the screen isn't going to fit flush against any walls.

Though it also needs a tv in there showing 24 hr news and soccer ... while I'm busy doing 'something business like' on it ... Just haven't quite figured out what yet.

Sorry guys, I'll wait for a more practical version i.e. v3.0 (like 1988 and Windows 3.0 all over again) :-)!

[jon @ May 15th 2008 11:41AM]

Only took 3 comments before the minority report one-liner. Isn't that movie too old to keep referencing? And hasn't it been referenced too many times?

[CraigJ @ May 15th 2008 12:25PM]

No.

[Jake Tobak @ May 15th 2008 11:42AM]

Found the site, if you're serious about building one of these, you NEED to check this site our:
http://www.nuigroup.com/

[CY @ May 15th 2008 11:48AM]

The next few years are going to be full of surprises. Having seen a bunch of these demo videos online, and knowing people who are making their own DIY multi-touch screens at home, the playing field seems to be wide open for innovative touch computing. When mega-corporations like Microsoft are demoing the same kinds of technology basically being created by individual researchers, graduate students, and sometimes even hobbyists, sea change is possible, i.e. college dropouts dreaming up new visual ways to control a computer.

[rank @ May 15th 2008 11:53AM]

Who is the company that makes the "magik wall" that CNN uses?

[TheCow5 @ May 15th 2008 12:55PM]

I was wondering the same thing.
I am thinking its MS.

[EPK @ May 16th 2008 8:22AM]

Perceptive Pixel http://www.perceptivepixel.com

[chris @ May 15th 2008 9:26PM]

The company is called Perceptive Pixel. I'm sure they could use some press now that MS is trying to drink their milkshake.

[Jeff @ May 15th 2008 11:54AM]

it looks janky.

like it's really timid about the input, very cautiously doing the commands and ignoring the subtle movements... which might be a good thing, but it makes it looks kind of unresponsive.

[Jeff @ May 15th 2008 11:57AM]

or maybe it's that, like the HTC Diamond (Touchflow 3D), it's more gesture-based than "physics-based" which would indeed make it feel a little janky (though probably not too awkward once you get used to it.)

[craig#2 @ May 15th 2008 3:39PM]

stop saying Janky

[Jeff @ May 15th 2008 5:23PM]

I'll jank you....

[Ram @ May 15th 2008 11:57AM]

This makes a million times more sense than the surface. I've said all along that the tech in the Surface is impressive, but it would only be used in one of its intended venues at a time. If you're using it at a cell phone store to compare cell phones, it because a very expensive way to do that. If you're using it in a restaurant to split a bill, it becomes an unreasonably expensive way to do that. A whiteboard that can be used in a variety of businesses makes a lot more sense.

[Niraj @ May 15th 2008 12:25PM]

Yes, but the point a lot of stories on this are missing is that Surface is meant to do a lot more than this. This won't recognize different objects and treat them differently, or let you remotely manage/interact with files and applications on other devices. It wouldn't let you wirelessly make payments even if you did split the bill on it. This is solely a touch interface that can be used on any surface. They're different products with different uses, and I think a lot of coverage has been missing that point.

[Steffen Jobbs @ May 15th 2008 12:00PM]

They'll have a hard time trying to fit that into your pocket. What a laugh comparing this MS crap-touch to the 3D projected display that was used in Minority Report.

[swingin' dick hero @ May 15th 2008 1:29PM]

I am a mac only user, a real Apple fanboy at times but your comments craptalking MS and any other 'multitouch' product is just getting old. Are you for real?

[Luigi193 @ May 15th 2008 1:48PM]

Why do I keep thinking of Dr Phil after you comment...

[Teetdogs @ May 15th 2008 6:12PM]

I've said it before and I will say it again Steffen Jobs, you are a mouth breathing retard!!!

[kastonie @ May 15th 2008 12:01PM]

this sounds a lot like that whiteboard that dude made with the wii mote

[Marc @ May 15th 2008 12:21PM]

this looks like a giant iPhone to me :-)

[David Hildreth @ May 15th 2008 12:24PM]

Great idea, especially since schools have all that extra cash to pick a few up.

[happy_penguin @ May 15th 2008 12:30PM]

Where is the 'FIVE GODDAMN PROJECTORS!!!" comment?

[ianzhere @ May 15th 2008 12:39PM]

This is where Microsoft fails. They need a better representative, not that guy who's talking to the wall. :P

[Ryan @ May 15th 2008 12:41PM]

Looks like it didn't take long for Microsoft to copy apple's technology and make a giant iphone.

[ugg.tryptophan @ May 15th 2008 4:11PM]

since when did apple invent the touchscreen or gesture recognition?

[Nick @ May 15th 2008 12:44PM]

i don't like weatherbox, but this looks sweet.

[Chris @ May 15th 2008 12:45PM]

dude last i checked apple doesnt use a projector for 50" multitouch... microsoft does! so shudup ryan

on a better note

does this mean that CSI Miami style displays and interfaces are going to start popping up? if so HELL YES!

[getnate @ May 15th 2008 12:57PM]

Microsoft has had this in the 'Microsoft museum' for years.

[Steffen Jobbs @ May 15th 2008 1:16PM]

This is an example of touchscreen the OS X way, not by some half-baked MS kludge (We won't be doing document editing for a while yet):

http://macenstein.com/default/archives/1360

MS had better start getting their copiers ready to work overtime.

Nice try MS, but don't take it too hard. You were never known for innovation, anyway.