Microsoft Stops Smart Display Development

Microsoft is dropping further development of software for wireless "Smart Displays".

“After evaluating current market trends … Microsoft is not at this time working on the next version of Smart Display technology,” said Megan Kidd, a Microsoft product manager, in an e-mail response to questions. Microsoft and its hardware partners came to the decision to stop work on the Smart Display product in early December, she said.

The first Smart Displays started shipping in January last year after a short delay. The devices allow users to access their PC through a touch-screen display that can be carried about the home and that communicates with the PC using the 802.11b wireless networking standard, also known by the Wi-Fi marketing name.

ViewSonic Corp. and Philips Consumer Electronics Co., part of Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV, are among the vendors that have been selling Smart Displays. The Philips DesXscape 150DM is available online starting at about US$1,185, while ViewSonic’s Airpanel V110p is listed for $799.

Read the whole story at ITWorld.