MultiTouch, a company specializing in, you guessed it, multi-touch technology, today launched the world’s first modular multi-touch LCD screen, which will allow owners to create screen tables and walls to their desired size.
Dubbed the MultiTouch Cell, each LCD screen unit is available in both 32- and 46-inch sizes and offers Full HD capability. The Cells can be positioned in portrait or landscape modes and can be turned into huge multi-touch screens or a multi-touch coffee table for those who don’t need something so grandiose.
The MultiTouch Cell is the company’s response to Microsoft’s Touchwall, which we wrote about earlier this year. Touchwall uses three infrared lasers that scan a surface, and a camera, which feeds information back to Microsoft’s Plex software after something breaks through the laser line. In contrast, the MultiTouch Cell uses an LCD display and according to the company, bests current projector-based systems by improving durability — MultiTouch claims users will get 50,000 hours of use compared to 3,000 hours for projector-based offerings — as well as improved image resolution, contrast, and color quality.
Depending on their needs, MultiTouch customers can buy dozens of LCD modules and arrange them in any way they wish without worrying about connectivity. Each LCD module features HDMI, FireWire, and USB ports and can be connected to a Mac, Linux or Windows computer, meaning each screen in the setup can display one large image or something different.
Although MultiTouch uses LCDs instead of projector technology, owners won’t save any money buying a MultiTouch system. The company’s 46-inch offering costs almost $16,000 with a fully-configured Linux PC to run the software, while a 46-inch display without the PC will cost about $14,700 per unit. 32-inch displays with Full HD capability cost about $8,300 with the Linux PC and almost $7,200 without it.
Ever since Microsoft announced its Surface computer, which currently retails for about $10,000 and can be found in some AT&T stores, more companies have jumped on the multi-touch bandwagon. But so far, development costs are extremely high and companies haven’t been able to bring prices down to an affordable level for consumers. For its part, Microsoft claims the Surface will be available to consumers in 2011, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
See all
Post
This technology looks cool but I think it’s true value won’t be realized until it’s used to play whack-a-mole.
Johnny Lee provided a simple way of creating multi touch screen with less than 100$’s. Though quality is not as high as 10K commercial solution, its worth a try for fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s5EvhHy7eQ
Johnny Lee’s page has more info:
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/projects/wii/
Lee’s stuff is ok for a child’s play.
For a serious usage,Multi-touch looks really promising.
Really looking forward to getting it at an affordable pricing
Microsoft’s Surface is not just a multi-touch display - it’s a lot more than just that. Anyway, multi-touch is overrated anyway.
Even though this looks cool, but I don’t think we need it now.
http://www.KidTechGuru.blogspot.com
This technology looks good but have to go through enough buyers’ feedback in order to warrant a purchase.
Is their logo supposed to look like it’s giving you the finger?
Exactly!
This technology looks good but have to go through enough buyers’ feedback in order to warrant a purchase.
Daniel
http://shopaddicts.blogspot.com/
Cant these guys help you out in the TechCrunch Tablet?
Aint you guys building the tablet. Give them a bulk order, I am sure they will sell u to a discount.
I think the 32-inch module is a little large for a tablet.
I really don’t see multi-touch computer hitting the mainstream any time soon. Looks cool as hell though!
I’m still waiting for the day when a multi-touch demonstration isn’t some guy fingerpainting.
Many have said they don`t see Surface as viable before 2011. but the surface team have a roadpath of yearly releases, the first release is meant for corporate, Enterprise and large retails. you can still buy it but you must not only be able to buy it but be able to pass a screening on WHY you want to buy it and then get approved to buy it. the second release is in 2009 (Q?) and the only thing it is known is that they will allow orgs and small enterprise and small businesses to buy. there is nothing on if it will be a new model, etc. but don`t that means the third release of 2010 will let anyone to buy it?… it is 10k now. so a price of 5k for 2010 is very feasible. 2010 is also when WIN7 will be released. it would make sense for the consumer version of Surface to arrive with WIN7. so i think it should be released by 2010 at a price of no more than 5k.(consumer version) lets see if i hit it right.
CD, you’re absolutely right. I think they should change their logo given the “hand” image has gotten in the past years.
it‘s very useful~
it‘s very useful~
very cool but not useful now!
i wish I was rich - i’d buy all these…. I love this minorty-report type stuff!!!!
Just wait until Walmart decides they want to carry them, then watch the price fall through the floor. Remember the first time you ever saw a TV that could be secured to a wall? Same thing.
I just don’t see a wide market for any of these touch-screen technologies. Remember using a touch screen is MORE physical work than using a keyboard, mouse, tablet or other similar input device. The touch screens will have their uses but in narrow niche market of art galleries/performance art/entertainment etc. Remember the mouse has been around for thirty years and the overall design hasn’t changed one bit in all that time, it just works.
Multi-Touch Open Directory Project ( http://odp.hci.cn )
thanks
Nice digital art device. But it will only have small market i thought.