Perceptive Pixel was a developer and producer of multi-touch interfaces. It was purchased by Microsoft in 2012. Its technology is now used in fields including broadcast, defense, geo-intelligence, energy exploration, industrial design and medical imaging.
| Company type | Division of Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Industry | Large-scale multi-touch display technology, education, broadcast, meetings and collaboration |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Defunct | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Redmond, Washington |
Number of locations | 2 offices (2014) |
Key people | Jefferson Han (founder, general manager) |
| Parent | Microsoft |
| Website | www |
Background
editThe company begain in 2006 as Perceptive Pixel, Inc., headquartered in New York City and maintaining offices in Mountain View, Portland, and Washington, D.C.[1] Prior to the company's establishment, founder Jeff Han[2] publicly demonstrated multitouch hardware and software technology at a TED conference in February 2006.[3] The company was founded later in the same year.[4] Subsequently, it shipped its first Multi-Touch Workstation and larger Multi-Touch Collaboration Wall in 2007.[5][6] The latter gained widespread recognition for transforming the way CNN covered the 2008 US Presidential elections.[7][8][9] In 2009, the Smithsonian awarded Perceptive Pixel the National Design Award in the inaugural category of Interaction Design.[10] Throughout its history as a startup company, Perceptive Pixel had focused on ultra-high-end touch displays that were sold to large businesses in key niches.[11]
Microsoft acquisition
editOn July 9, 2012, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced that they would acquire Perceptive Pixel Inc. in a transaction that closed three weeks later on July 31.[12][better source needed] At that year's WPC conference, Ballmer stated the company hoped to use its newly acquired technology to enhance its Windows 8 operating system.[13] Han also stated that the sale could allow their products to be more broadly available.[11]
On January 21, 2015, Microsoft announced the Surface Hub during its Windows 10 launch.[14] The new product was described as a next-generation device under the Surface brand and was developed by members of the Perceptive Pixel team.[15]
References
edit- ^ Pollicino, Joe (2019-07-19). "Perceptive Pixel unveils an 82-inch multi-touch LCD, TV news anchors overcome by giddy hands". Engadget. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
- ^ "Can't Touch This". Fast Company. February 1, 2007.
- ^ "Jeff Han demos his breakthrough touchscreen". TED. August 1, 2006.
- ^ Sharp, Morgan (2012-07-09). "Microsoft to buy display maker Perceptive Pixel". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
- ^ "Prototype - Turning Point for Touch Screens". New Times. August 23, 2008.
- ^ "Election a win for multitouch inventor". CNET News. November 5, 2008.
- ^ "The inventor behind CNN's election 'Magic Wall'". CNN. November 5, 2008. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012.
- ^ "CNN clarifies complex caucus cavalcade with new 'Magic Wall'". CNN. January 4, 2008. Archived from the original on February 21, 2008.
- ^ "John King of CNN Revels in His High-Tech Election Night Toy". New York Times. April 22, 2008.
- ^ "Interaction Design - National Design Awards 2009". National Design Awards.
- ^ a b Fried, Ina (July 9, 2012). "Interview: Multitouch Pioneer Jeff Han on Why He Sold His Company to Microsoft". AllThingsD. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
- ^ "Breaking: Microsoft Buys Perceptive Pixel".
- ^ "Microsoft buys large-screen maker Perceptive Pixel". BBC News. 2012-07-31. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
- ^ McCracken, Harry (June 10, 2015). "The Untold Story Of Microsoft's Surface Hub". Retrieved October 24, 2023.
- ^ Welch, Chris (2015-01-21). "Microsoft announces 84-inch Surface Hub tailored for Windows 10". The Verge. Retrieved 2021-04-09.