The First Multi-Touch Developer Kit

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3M is now selling the industry’s first 19” Multi-Touch Developer Kit, which is capable of fast and accurate tracking of up to ten fingers. Two or four finger touch capabilities and simple pinch-and-expand gestures are no longer the extent of sophisticated multi-touch interactivity.

True multi-touch functionality holds immense appeal for all demographic groups and has been eagerly awaited by software developers. For proactive OEMs, its introduction means that they have the opportunity to get involved with a trend-setting technology that can make them leaders in their field.

Using the 3M kit, software developers can benefit from one of the largest displays available and all the necessary tools to create previously unattainable levels of interactivity in their next generation games and user applications. The ability to supprt standard flick and scale gestures, as well as accurately track ten individual fingers from single or multiple users offers huge potential to involve two hands or other users for a more physical and stimulating experience. Possible applications of this include enhanced operating system desktops, four or more player gaming, or, in the future, even ten finger activities like QWERTY keyboard typing or piano playing.

The 3M Multi-Touch Developer Kit features a 19-inch wide-aspect ratio (16:10, 1440 x 900 resolution) metalencased LCD chassis display with a finished front bezel, desktop stand, serial and USB HID connectivity, analogue and digital video connections and a Projected Capacitive Touch Sensor with a durable glass front surface. It is designed to support the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system and enables a touch response speed of less than 15 milliseconds, independent of the number of fingers on the touch sensor. Reliable touch accuracy is combined with high optical transmission and the sensor has a durable front surface for user safety and protection against contaminants like dust and dirt.