Microsoft Surface is a rather interesting device-in-development, and it promises to offer much more than its rather underwhelming uses we know today. The Lumino project may be giving development a boost with its primary feature — adding a third dimension to the otherwise 2D interface of the Surface.

The Lumino project not only recognize 3D objects on the Surface, but also “knows” its height and registers it accordingly. It can also recognize objects that are placed on top of each other. With the third dimension, you can feel like playing with Legos on a surface that recognizes you’re building with bricks. (There’s also the standard table, but that was invented a long time ago…)

Another use that developers have found is playing a special checkers game, in which the Surface can recognize when players have been “kinged,” as well as give tips on the best moves to make in certain situations.

So, yup, rather underwhelming at this point. But give developers time to experiment on the third-dimension factor, and we may expect great games and applications coming out for the Microsoft Surface platform.

Via: Coolest Gadgets, Gizmodo