Software developers who want to come up with their own software for Microsoft’s touch-based Surface technology can now do so for free, as the Microsoft Surface SDK is now free for all at the Microsoft Download Center.

Surface was announced by Microsoft at the D5 conference in 2007, and is aimed at the retail/hotel/hospitality marketplace, but not for the home consumer, yet. The multi-touch technology is different from ‘regular’ touch-screen tech in that it can recognize different gestures, can track up to 52 different touches at a time and can also keep track of different users, too.

So far, Microsoft Surface has been used in AT&T Wireless stores, Harrah’s-owned bars and resorts, and is featured in Disneyland’s Futureland exhibit in California. Surface is also highly featured in television shows like CSI: Miami and EXTRA! Entertainment, in what is likely product placement paid for by Microsoft.

The Microsoft Surface is not selling cheap, with a regular commercial unit costing $12,500 and a developmental debug unit costing $15,000 (with 4 developmental licenses). But if we’re to consider the company has said in 2007 that they hope to get the units cheap enough to make a consumer home version by 2010, maybe there’s light at the end of the tunnel for us, mortals.

See: Microsoft Surface Gets Closer To Becoming Mainstream [Microsoft Surface SDK Avaialability Confirmed]

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