iTable To Compete With Microsoft Surface

[Hooch Tan]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/01/10/look-out-microsoft-surface-the-itable-might-just-trump-you-in-every-way/' target='_blank'>http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/01/1...u-in-every-way/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"They&rsquo;ve essentially taken the idea behind the Microsoft Surface and have done it better in every way. It&rsquo;s cheaper, it&rsquo;s gorgeous, and perhaps most notably, it&rsquo;s not a hulking monster. Two of the most notable features of the Surface are its multitouch capabilities and the availability of a development SDK, both of which PQ Labs has matched (or, in the case of the SDK, plan to match soon). The number of fingers detected by the multitouch sensor is limited only by the individual software designer&rsquo;s desire - the hardware itself supports as many simultaneous prods as you can throw at it."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1231782529.usr20447.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>CrunchGear has a video demonstrating a very impressive multi-touch interface made by PQ Labs called the iTable.&nbsp; It runs on Windows XP and can be added as a 32" LCD overlay or as a preconfigured 30" table.&nbsp; Watching the video, it seems quite responsive, and can handle as many digits on the surface as you care to use.&nbsp; The only significant part that I find lacking in comparison to Microsoft's surface is the ability to recognize devices placed on the surface.&nbsp; In some ways, it looks a lot like a glorified HP Touchsmart but with a more open concept developer interface.&nbsp; A closer comparison would be the multi-touch capabilities that Windows 7 will bring to the table.&nbsp; Thinking of what one can do with multi-touch, I'm excited to see this and the price is more competitive, starting at $2,399, however, I remain unconvinced that it is worth that much extra cost.</p>

[ptyork]

I'm waiting on the EeeTable which doubtless will come next. I'm pretty tired of these incredibly unimaginative product names...

[Jason Dunn]

So I guess the question is, do people really want to touch their TV set? I have enough devices that get grossed-up with fingerprints, I can't imagine having to clean my TV screen constantly. Maybe for a smaller, kitchen TV or something similar...

[Felix Torres]

Everybody keeps referring to Surface as a touch computer when it isn't.
It uses infra-red vision sensors.
That's why it can recognize objects.
And that's why future vertical versions will work like the funky Minority Report system; no touch needed.
Touch screens, are old hat, multi-touch or not.
Computer vision systems aren't...
Surface is actually closer to a Wii than a touch screen.

[Felix Torres]

I'm waiting on the EeeTable which doubtless will come next. I'm pretty tired of these incredibly unimaginative product names...

Well, the Eeekeyboard is pretty cool.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/06/asus-eee-keyboard-revealed/

Atari would be proud of them.

[Chris Gohlke]

Slightly off topic, but somewhat related to multi-touch, why can't I have multiple cursors (well two) controlled by seperate mice? I think this might be cool for gaming as well as for collaberative work.

[Sven Johannsen]

Everybody keeps referring to Surface as a touch computer when it isn't.
It uses infra-red vision sensors.
That's why it can recognize objects.

Actually it uses cameras to recognize objects. There may be IR sensors in there, but I don't recall it being mentioned the few times I have been exposed to Surface. That likely would be of little use in recognizing objects. Most of the objects recognized are based on specific patterns afixed to the object that are placed on the surface, of Surface. Recognizing things like cameras for image transfer are based on BT, which is relatively ubiquitous today, and charge cards on RFID-like concepts.

You are absolutely right though, Surface is way more than a multitouch screen.

[Jason Dunn]

Actually it uses cameras to recognize objects. There may be IR sensors in there, but I don't recall it being mentioned the few times I have been exposed to Surface.

I've been told they're IR cameras - likely IR to recognize human touch rather than the touch of an object. You're right about the RFID tagged objects, but I think all motions are captured with the IR cams because they can discard other background data and "see" what the hands are doing.

[Damion Chaplin]

I need one. Now.

Just imagine what this could do to my 3D rendering workflow. :cool:

I really want two though: One as my monitor and one as my user-configurable input device sitting flat on my desk. Kind of a cross between a Nintendo DS on uber-steroids and a terminal interface found on Star Trek. Sure, I won't be able to touch-type like I am now, but I'll live if it can give me that kind of functionality.

I can only imagine the specs your computer would have to be to run two of them though... :eek:

[Felix Torres]

[quote=Sven;700877]There may be IR sensors in there, but I don't recall it being mentioned the few times I have been exposed to Surface. quote]

It uses generic digicam IR sensors and special algorithms for computer vision.
Microsoft Surface interactive multi-touch coffee table - Core77 (http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/microsoft_surface_interactive_multitouch_coffee_table_6464.asp)
(They are working to improve the algorithms to provide 3d vision rather than just single-plane detection.)
Microsoft aims to get more touchy-feely | Beyond Binary - CNET News (http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10069105-56.html)
And the image is projected via DLP.
The surface plate is uninstrumented glass; you could dance a flamenco on the top without damaging anything.

[Sven Johannsen]

[quote=Sven;700877]There may be IR sensors in there, but I don't recall it being mentioned the few times I have been exposed to Surface. quote]

It uses generic digicam IR sensors and special algorithms for computer vision.
Microsoft Surface interactive multi-touch coffee table - Core77 (http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/microsoft_surface_interactive_multitouch_coffee_table_6464.asp)
(They are working to improve the algorithms to provide 3d vision rather than just single-plane detection.)
Microsoft aims to get more touchy-feely | Beyond Binary - CNET News (http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10069105-56.html)
And the image is projected via DLP.
The surface plate is uninstrumented glass; you could dance a flamenco on the top without damaging anything.
OK, but it also has the ability to recognize a regular paintbrush applied to the surface lightly and can spread the apparent pattern if the brush is pushed down. That wouldn't be just IR, but would require some visible light component. In any case, the process at this point is based on a 'camera' 'seeing' the user interface, rather than a user touching the interface (tactile). One thing that says to me, is there needs to be some depth to Surface so the top can be in the field of view of the eye, IR or not. Surely there are fancy methods to bend that view, like there are to keep a 50" diagonal CRT from being 50" deep, but I don't think we are going to see a real thin Surface very soon, and it isn't a 'touch' interface.