Microsoft closes Perceptive Pixel deal

PPI's large displays can be hung on walls and used with hand gestures or stylus pens.

The fact that Microsoft chose Mezgec as the official in charge of speaking about this deal is a clear indication that the PPI products will be first and foremost integrated with Lync, which offers instant messaging and presence, web meetings, video conferencing and IP telephony.

The PPI technology also fits in with Microsoft's Metro redesign of the Windows user interface in Windows 8 for computers, tablets and smartphones whose screens support touch and stylus input. Windows 8 will be released commercially at the end of October, at which time devices running the new OS will also begin to appear.

Gartner analyst Michael Silver said that Microsoft probably is also interested in PPI's Storyboard software for presentations, which could be used to improve PowerPoint, especially in the area of integrating rich media elements into presentations. "That could be another feature they want," he said via email.

PPI could also help Microsoft make its upcoming Surface tablet bigger to offer models for living-room entertainment. "There have been rumors about AppleApple potentially delivering a TV. We can imagine Microsoft using the Surface brand for a large screen, living-room device," Silver said. Alles zu Apple auf CIO.de