"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."
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, but (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, "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"). As far as Pocket PC Thoughts is concerned, Microsoft Surface could offer new ways for your Windows Mobile-based device to interact with itself and other neighbouring devices, and if it ever proves to work flawlessly, I'd say ActiveSync and the Windows Mobile Device Center ought to take a page out of Surface's book.
Check out the press images and screen grabs above and below, and do stop by the Microsoft Surface web site and Channel 10 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.
the concept is appealing and interesting both visually and conceptually: handling virtual objects: pix, maps, music albums, restaurant drinks and dishes, etc. like one would with real objects is fascinating.
However, unless you're Bill Gates rich don't expect to see one in your home before another 5 years at least 8O.
To save your bandwidth, small images here and a link to MS website for the large and very large (4 color TIFF images) would be more healthy.
The high-res ones are packaged into a ZIP. We've made it easier for you by making each one directly accessible. Consider it a public service. As for bandwidth, don't worry, we have plenty to burn.
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That is SO incredibly cool - I remember seeing YouTube videos of this stuff being demoed last year back when it was just R&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...
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This could be huge. However, I'm concerned about reliability. What does a 30 inch, horizontal BSOD look like?
In all seriousness, the possibilities for this technology are endless. The surface could be an architect's drafting table. It could display a newspaper editor's front page layout, or an ad firm's mock-up of a new campaign. It doesn't say anywhere, but I assume the surface is not pressure sensitive (like a Wacom surface). This would add a whole new level. You could "paint" directly onto a full size "canvas." Wacom has a 21 inch display for $2500, but you have to use their magnetic pen and I don't believe it is multitouch capable.
And for Ed, you can now have WMDC screw up your PPC and calendar just by placing your PPC on the table.
Microsoft Introduces Surface Computing and a New Way to Share Content
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