Microsoft releases sdk for Surface interface

Microsoft has released a development kit for its Surface computer. The tabletop computer with a multi-touch interface could be a consumer product in a few years, if enough development work is put into it.

Around 2003, Microsoft started developing the Surface, a table with a touchscreen that was the only interface for the computer. The concept was demonstrated many times and the multi-touch interface was even put together by hobbyists themselves using cheap hardware and open source software. However, Microsoft has at the Professional Developers Conference, which will be held in Los Angeles this week helda software development kit for Surface releasedwhich could allow the platform to become a mainstream product within three to five years if there is sufficient interest.

Everyone who attends one of the Surface workshops during the PDC is eligible for an SDK. Attendees can also play with the eighteen Surface installations available at the fair, so that ideas for their own implementations can be gained. Hardware developers can also buy their own Surface computer: a 30″ copy, including five licenses for the Windows Vista-based operating system, costs $ 13,500. Developers do receive support for developing applications for Surface for that money. The platform is already being used sparingly as a demonstration object: Surface computers can be seen in action in AT&T stores and on various television programmes.