At the South By South West Interactive Festival (SXSWi 2009), Erik Klimczak, Creative Director at Clarity Consulting, which creates interactive applications for Microsoft Surface said that the updated version of Microsoft"s surface touch-screen table, featuring high-definition cameras and a higher resolution display could be expected within a year. However this was not confirmed by the Microsoft"s User Experience Evangelist for Surface who was present at the same event.
Microsoft is also working on the second generation of Surface dubbed SecondLight which adds a second dimension to Microsoft Surface and allows images to be projected above the table top. This would allow the Surface to overlay secondary images above those on the screen such as satellite imagery over a street map, or more detailed contextual data on top of images. It will also have infrared sensors that can interpret gestures and movements without having to touch the screen. SecondLight could be expected in 2 to 3 years according to Joe Olsen, CEO of design firm, Phenomblue. The project is still in R&D stage as of now.
Below is a video of Microsoft Secondlight which was demonstrated at the PDC 2008