Sunday, June 30, 2013

Microsoft's Windows 8.1 To Support 3-D Printing

To avoid another embarrassment like Apple's 2003 switch campaign, Microsoft revealed that Windows 8.1 will have built-in support for 3-D printers. 
Microsoft's Windows 8.1 Will Support 3-D Printing
In order to jump ahead of competitors, Microsoft has announced that the new operating system, Windows 8.1, will allow customers to easily use 3-D printers. 3-D printing is becoming a very popular idea. Some companies will do the printing for you, such as FASOTEC's fetus model. Microsoft's idea is that 3-D printing ought to be as simple as printing out a 2-D word document. Microsoft's "plug-and-play" for 3-D printers will work so long as the 3-D printing companies get their drivers to Microsoft before the Windows 8.1 release date later this year. Microsoft has already worked with several 3-D printing companies such as MakerBot, Formlabs, and 3D Systems. 

Microsoft has done more than guarantee 3-D support on the new operating system. Microsoft now carries the MakerBot Replicator in stores and the Kinect sensor can be used as a 3-D scanner with Kinect Fusion. All of this seems to point to a new world where people can print what they want instead of going out to buy it. But, not everyone will be able to jump on the 3-D printing bandwagon, the prices range from $1,299 to $34,800! But this could be the start of a something amazing. 
Retweet this story

No comments:

Post a Comment