Surface-like X-Desk interactive tabletop launches

Posted by David Walker on Fri 17 Apr 2009

Microsoft's table gets a larger rival

Just a month after Microsoft's Surface got an official launch in the UK, a rival interactive table has hit the market - and the X-Desk has size on its side.

Yes, this is a 52-inch techno-table, compared to the 30 inches offered by the Surface. But as we all know, size doesn't necessarily matter, it's what you do with it. On that score, the two probably come in about even.

Developed by Impressx and Engage and powered by Epson’s 3LCD projectors, the X-Desk offers that same level of interaction with photos, videos, documents, maps and information, with the option to drag and increase the size of objects with a flick of the hand, interacting with your files too, should you want to watch a movie, listen to a tune or play a game. Like the Surface, it also recognises physical objects such as mobile phones and MP3 players when they are placed on top, with easy file exchange via Bluetooth.

It also shares one other thing with the Surface - being out of reach of the average tech buyer. Like the Surface, the table is being pitched to businesses and showrooms for an 'interactive point of sale', 'navigation device' or 'an interactive menu'. Hardly a good use of the technology and with a price of £13,800, it might still be a struggle to convince the company accountant of its worth in the middle of a credit crunch.

Link: Epson

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