Microsoft buys interactive design outfit Perceptive Pixel

Wow. Looks like Microsoft isn’t about to shut its chequebook just because of one measly US$6.2-billion writedown.

The Redmond-based tech giant today announced that it had bought interactive design company Perceptive Pixel (PPI).

The acquisition, announced at Microsoft’s Digital Worldwide Partner Conference, was made to help with the research and design of upcoming Microsoft hardware and software. PPI showed off what it could do at the event with an 82-inch mega-tablet.

“The acquisition of PPI allows us to draw on our complementary strengths, and we’re excited to accelerate this market evolution,” said Kurt DelBene, president, Office Division for Microsoft. “PPI’s large touch displays, when combined with hardware from our OEMs, will become powerful Windows 8-based PCs and open new possibilities for productivity and collaboration.”

Founded in 2006 by Jeff Han, PPI’s multi-touch technology was used by multiple broadcasters during the 2008 US presidential election and continues to be used across a variety of industries today. The company was awarded the National Design Award in the inaugural category of Interaction Design by the Smithsonian Institution

“We are incredibly excited to be working together on our mutual passion to build technologies that enable people to collaborate and communicate,” Han said. “By joining Microsoft, we will be able to take advantage of the tremendous momentum of the Microsoft Office Division, tightly interoperate with its products, and deliver this technology to a very broad set of customers.”

It’s unclear just how much Microsoft paid for the company and the acquisition still needs to be approved by regulators.