Microsoft Introduces Surface Computing and a New Way to Share Content

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.microsoft.com/surface/' target='_blank'>http://www.microsoft.com/surface/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Picture a surface that can recognize physical objects from a paintbrush to a cell phone and allows hands-on, direct control of content such as photos, music and maps. Today at the Wall Street Journal’s D: All Things Digital conference, Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer will unveil Microsoft Surface™, the first in a new category of surface computing products from Microsoft that breaks down traditional barriers between people and technology. Surface turns an ordinary tabletop into a vibrant, dynamic surface that provides effortless interaction with all forms of digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects. Beginning at the end of this year, consumers will be able to interact with Surface in hotels, retail establishments, restaurants and public entertainment venues. The intuitive user interface works without a traditional mouse or keyboard, allowing people to interact with content and information on their own or collaboratively with their friends and families, just like in the real world. Surface is a 30-inch display in a table-like form factor that small groups can use at the same time. From digital finger painting to a virtual concierge, Surface brings natural interaction to the digital world in a new and exciting way."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070530-surfacepk1.jpg" /><br /><i>Click <a href="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/ppct/2007/MS%20SC_3-4%20View.jpg">here</a> for a high-resolution version (544KB).</i><br /><br />Okay, I admit to being intrigued by Microsoft Surface. You could dismiss this as just another bit of vapourware being shown off by Microsoft Research, <b>but</b> (and might I add - unsurprisingly, considering Microsoft has dropped hints of touch-based computing over the past few years) it turns out that this product is very real and will be deployed by a number of partners by the end of the year (for example, <i>"customers in T-Mobile retail stores might place different cell phones on Surface's interactive surface where product features, prices and phone plans would appear so they could be easily compared"</i>). As far as Digital Media Thoughts is concerned, Microsoft Surface could offer new ways for your digital camera and media player to interact with itself and other neighbouring devices, which could really add some pizazz in that family gathering around the "coffee table". ;)<br /><br />Check out the press images and screen grabs above and below, and do stop by the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/surface/">Microsoft Surface web site</a> and <a href="http://on10.net/Blogs/larry/first-look-microsoft-surfacing-computing/">Channel 10</a> to see what all the fuss is about. Direct interaction, multi-touch, multi-user, and object recognition? I'd say the real "wow" starts now. <!><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070530-surfacepk2.jpg" /><br /><i>Click <a href="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/ppct/2007/MS%20SC_Front%20View.jpg">here</a> for a high-resolution version (588KB).</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070530-surfacepk3.jpg" /><br /><i>Click <a href="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/ppct/2007/MS%20SC_Ripple.jpg">here</a> for a high-resolution version (810KB).</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070530-surfacepk4.jpg" /><br /><i>Click <a href="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/ppct/2007/MS%20SC_Collab%20Map%20App.jpg">here</a> for a high-resolution version (1.3MB).</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070530-surfacepk5.jpg" /><br /><i>Click <a href="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/ppct/2007/MS%20SC_Collab%20Photo%20App.jpg">here</a> for a high-resolution version (1.2MB).</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070530-surfacepk6.jpg" /><br /><i>Click <a href="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/ppct/2007/MS%20SC_CU_Hands.jpg">here</a> for a high-resolution version (296KB).</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070530-surfacepk7.jpg" /><br /><i>Click <a href="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/ppct/2007/MS%20SC_Screenshot%20FoodBev%20App.jpg">here</a> for a high-resolution version (815KB).</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070530-surfacepk8.jpg" /><br /><i>Click <a href="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/ppct/2007/MS%20SC_Screenshot%20Map%20App.jpg">here</a> for a high-resolution version (1.1MB).</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070530-surfacepk9.jpg" /><br /><i>Click <a href="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/ppct/2007/MS%20SC_Screenshot%20Music%20App.jpg">here</a> for a high-resolution version (1.02MB).</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070530-surfacepk10.jpg" /><br /><i>Click <a href="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/ppct/2007/MS%20SC_Screenshot%20Photo%20App.jpg">here</a> for a high-resolution version (1.2MB).</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070530-surfacepk11.jpg" /><br /><i>Click <a href="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/ppct/2007/MS%20SC_Screenshot%20Retail%20App.jpg">here</a> for a high-resolution version (1.1MB).</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070530-surfacepk12.jpg" /><br /><i>Click <a href="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/ppct/2007/MS%20SC_Screenshot%20Phone%20App.jpg">here</a> for a high-resolution version (801KB).</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070530-surface1.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070530-surface2.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070530-surface3.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070530-surface4.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070530-surface5.jpg" />

[Jason Dunn]

That is SO incredibly cool - I remember seeing YouTube videos of this stuff being demoed last year back when it was just R&amp;D, but it seems that last year they were already working on commercializing it. It will be interesting to see how it comes to market, how much the tables will cost, etc. The first generation units aren't going to be $1000 and designed to go in the living room of a consumer, but a few generations down the road, who knows...

[Felix Torres]

The first wave of tables are going to run $5-10K. Strictly a commercial venture with limited industry-specific software. It'll be, as they said, a while before this filters down.

But...

Two things strike me as significant here:

1- This tech is just the first aspect of commercializing MS Research tech in this area. It points at really cool stuf to come because this is NOT contact detection, like Apple's multitouch, but rather motion analysis. A whole different creature that actually has a lot more in common with the Wii than with existing touch screen tech. For that matter, the Table can read barcodes so it has a scanner/vision system under the surface. That's why they use a projector for the imaging instead of a direct-view panel. Given that, it is easy to not only see this migrate onto vertical panels (say conference rooms, medical imaging apps, etc) but also into 3D space. Maybe the next xbox will have a *video* sensor bar that will let you play some games just with gestures, subtle movements, rather than board sweeping motions. Flick your wrist, move a finger, maybe move your eyes, and the game responds accordingly. Or, how about a sign language interpreter or a lip-reading system? This is really a whole new arena they're stepping in. Oh, and last week Intel was complaining software companies weren't gearing up to fully/properly exploit new hardware? Here's an answer; a computing paradigm that can easily soak up ten times the CPU power of even the newest chips.

2- Almost as significant, is that this is a *product* that MS is introducing, not just a tech. Third time, folks. First XBOX, then Zune, now Milan. Obviously MS is now in the hardware *systems* business, not just hardware accessories business. They are no longer content with developing reference designs as signposts for hardware partners but instead seem to feel a need for direct involvement, top to bottom. And, considering that they are venturing well away from their office computing stronghold, their PC partners can't complain. It is now open season for MS-branded hardware; its not just for media or entertainment. Any market is clearly a target. So the existing electronics companies (and start-ups targetting the gadgets arena) are on notice; work with MS or they'll work without you. They will no longer surrender market share to competitors because of partner weakness.

I wonder where they'll strike next...

If the Blue-Laser stalemate continues, would MS move in with a red-laser alternative? Would they put together a holodisk effort? Obviously MS is starting to feel *really* confortable with the contract manufacturing business model so that anything with software in it is a potential target. More realistically, it looks like besides consumer entertainment they're also going for back-end products with long software and services "tails" judging by the last three markets they've exploded onto: IPTV, corporate telephony/communications, and now super kiosks.

This. Is. Scary.
These kind of markets have been dominated by the giant multinational*hardware* companies; Siemens, Alcatel, Toshiba, Fuji...
The big fish.
And MS is edging into their deep waters.
MS Research has been doing a lot of fundamental research; if they are now going to unleash into niche and vertical markets, things could get very interesting very quickly.

[Vincent Ferrari]

I don't care how big an MS hater one is, this is undeniably cool. I'd love to have one of these in my living room.

Office 2007 didn't impress me, and Vista was removed as soon as I installed it. The Zune? Not so sure. But this strikes me as truly innovative, new, different, and interesting.

Well done on their part. I'd love to play with one for a few minutes just to see what it's like. Any haters who come out of the wood work right now are full of crap. If you deny the coolness of this, you're beyond hope.

[Felix Torres]

If you deny the coolness of this, you're beyond hope.

How cool is it? You put you cellphone or camera on it and it pulls the pictures out and displays them as thumbnails. This is natural computing at its finest.
I want my next desk to use this stuff. :-)
(Of course, I'd have to pay for it myself, but...)

[mrozema]

The first wave of tables are going to run $5-10K. Strictly a commercial venture with limited industry-specific software.

How do you figure it'll be that cheap? Touch Tables don't sell for anything close to that. An LCD that allows for horizontal orientation would cost that much on its own.
And because its commercial-only, MS can keep it super pricey.

[Chris Gohlke]

Make some nice dungeon mapping software and a software d20 and this is the best RPG setup ever!

[Jason Dunn]

Make some nice dungeon mapping software and a software d20 and this is the best RPG setup ever!

Haha....RPG geek alert! ;-) You're right though, that would be pretty damn cool. That's one EXPENSIVE accessory though. ;-)

[Chris Gohlke]

Check out what these guys did with a projector mounted to shoot straight down onto a gaming table...

http://www.d20srd.org/extras/mapProjection.htm

[Jason Dunn]

Check out what these guys did with a projector mounted to shoot straight down onto a gaming table...

Hah! Cool! :D

[Felix Torres]

How do you figure it'll be that cheap? Touch Tables don't sell for anything close to that. An LCD that allows for horizontal orientation would cost that much on its own.
And because its commercial-only, MS can keep it super pricey.

MS *said* it would cost that on a per unit basis.
(They're *not* using touch tables *or* LCDs. This is a wholly different approach than what's been done before. That's what makes this special)
And that they expected it to get down to home prices in 3 to 5 years.
The hardware is a basic pentium PC+DLP projector+the sensor modules.
The thing isn't expensive on a per unit basis; the bulk of the value is in the R&amp;D and that is already paid for. Since MS is marketing it themselves they can subsidize it as much as they want to build volume. The objective is to build up the tech not milk the customers.
Do remember the guys running tis new business are the XBOX/ZUNE guys and that MS took in $5B net after-tax last quarter.
Super pricey is not what they want to do.

[Felix Torres]

Make some nice dungeon mapping software and a software d20 and this is the best RPG setup ever!

Haha....RPG geek alert! ;-) You're right though, that would be pretty damn cool. That's one EXPENSIVE accessory though. ;-)

Give it time.
I fully expect an X-Table implementation within 5 years.
The big cost driver is likely the infra-red sensor array.
Vista PCs retail for what? $500?
DLP projectors retail for $1000, no?
In fact, if the TI cell-phone DLP projector chip gets off the ground, they can probably get the non-sensor costs down to under $1000 within a couple of years.

[Gordo]

Link to some Video of Bill showing the product
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/sticker-shock/video-of-bill-gates-showing-off-his-expensive-table-264453.php

[Felix Torres]

Billy boy discussing the future of the tech:
http://news.com.com/Gates+Where+Milan+is+headed/2008-1041_3-6187823.html?tag=nefd.top

"Gates: That device is in the $5,000 to $10,000 range. You can imagine high-end business environments, even some high-end homes (paying that). We've got to get it down over the years into more like the $1,000 price range. We've shown various demos where you can project from the top...That's a super high-quality thing that we did there (with the first table).

Eventually, it's in every desk, but that will be a long time. The actual fundamental hardware, the cameras are very, very cheap. The projection piece and how you package that up is the most expensive piece."