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DISPLAX launches Windows 8 driver for large-format multitouch digital signage

September 27, 2012

Multitouch hardware for large displays manufacturer DISPLAX Interactive Systems has released its Windows 8 driver to support the DISPLAX Skin Multitouch product line, according to a company announcement.

The driver is available directly through DISPLAX or via its reseller network, which provide support to local customers. Large format displays that use DISPLAX Skin Multitouch (typically between 30 and 100 inches) can now be upgraded to use the latest version of Windows 8, Microsoft's Operating System designed with touch as a primary means of interaction, the company said.

According to the announcement, Windows 8 touch technology standards were built using projected capacitive multitouch. There are some gestures, like swipe from edge, which require a totally flat surface to be used. Steve Sinofsky, President of Windows and Windows Live divisions, has said that "the edge swipe required to reveal the charms and app bars fundamentally changes all the assumptions made on touch hardware. Traditionally, the edges of the screen are where touch sensitivity drops off, and it's a place that hardware manufacturers have traditionally not placed much emphasis on. The center of the screen received all the innovation, while the edges have suffered. If you have seen or experienced the Windows 8 user experience, the edge swipe is a critical part of using Windows."

Large format displays can run Windows 8 by using DISPLAX Skin Multitouch, "because our touch sensor allows a totally flat surface and has a uniform touch detection across the entire screen, enabling edge swipe thus answering Microsoft's concerns regarding hardware", said Miguel Fonseca, chief business officer of DISPLAX, in the announcement.

"This is what we are used to in our smartphones and tablets, but in large format displays most hardware requires a frame for optical cameras or IR sensors to work, so the surface is not flat," Fonseca said. "That is the reason for Sinofsky's concerns, because Microsoft wants to guarantee that the user has a good and consistent experience across different devices and screen sizes and that depends on the hardware. DISPLAX Skin Multitouch makes that experience possible in large screens."

Read more about interactive digital signage.