Microsoft Surface!

[DrJones]

What are your thoughts on this? (http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/sticker-shock/video-of-bill-gates-showing-off-his-expensive-table-264453.php)

More from MS directly (http://www.microsoft.com/surface/).

Yes, it's not some amazing new technology that we haven't seen before, but honestly none of those other research groups working on this kind of thing really has the pockets to pull it off to where you will see them.

Think these will catch on like MS is hoping?

[myshtern]

I think it will be huge. Looks like they've been developing software for it for years now.

Retail stores and restaurants will have them all over IMO.

[DrJones]

I think it will be huge. Looks like they've been developing software for it for years now.

Retail stores and restaurants will have them all over IMO.

Yea, here's another much more complete video (http://on10.net/Blogs/larry/first-look-microsoft-surfacing-computing/) showing the features in detail.

The really amazing thing is that they are saying by the end of this year you'll start seeing them in the world (more than likely places like hotels in Vegas). Shouldn't be too long till we see them around after that. Production should go up and cost will go down.

[myshtern]

Teachers will want them in classrooms too.

[stu]

Either Weston or Aracheon posted up this exact thing about 6 months ago.

[Brian]

Interactive surfaces are going to pop up everywhere. Picture frames, furniture, appliances, newspaper, etc. Pull out your folded up 21 inch monitor and download your copy of the latest magazines you subscribe to. Pretty cool stuff.

[Weston-work]

Either Weston or Aracheon posted up this exact thing about 6 months ago.

It wasn't the Microsoft one, but it was the same concept. The one that was posted earlier was a multi-point touch screen, rather than Microsoft's method of using cameras, but the ideas for how you'd use it are almost identical.

[DrJones]

Either Weston or Aracheon posted up this exact thing about 6 months ago.

What was posted was probably a video of Jeff Han's research (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKh1Rv0PlOQ) in a multi-touch interface.

That concept is nothing new, it's been seen in science fiction movies for decades.

The big issue, is that up until now, it was all basically out there in the future. Some experts were saying we wouldn't see that kind of technology for another 5-7 years (outside of research labs).

Microsoft dedicating resources to bringing this kind of system into the marketplace this year is the significant part.

Also, this isn't just a multi touch interface, but also has object recognition. You might remember a video a while back about a similar system from microsoft (link (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=103132826641193167)).

This system is basically a hybrid of the two, multi touch and object recognition. But most importantly, it's something you will be able to see and use in action by the end of the year.

It's hard to say how this will impact the way we do things (particularly with commerce and travel). I mean, it's not going to be as life changing as say, a $500-$600 phone/mp3 player hybrid. :p

[Brian]

It seems to be much like a large scale version of the apple i phone in the way you interact with it.

[Dave_L]

It reminds me of the guy's desk in the movie "The Island".

[M@]

I personally am pretty excited about it. It's definitely the next huge step in computer technology. I'd say it's one step closer to holograms.

Kind of like what Dave said, this is a lot like the computer screen setups Tom Cruise "uses" in Minority Report, in my opinion.

[Street_Kings]

Jeff Han's Multi-Touch system is actually a live, commercial product now.

http://www.perceptivepixel.com/

I think it's 10000X hotter and the UI blows M$'s away. However, the ability for them to get it out there is nothing compared to M$'s, so we'll see the surface (which is pretty inferior to jeff han's rig imo) to the market first and most likely crushing perceptive pixel.

[TXKompressor]

SIck

[myshtern]

Jeff Han's Multi-Touch system is actually a live, commercial product now.

http://www.perceptivepixel.com/

I think it's 10000X hotter and the UI blows M$'s away. However, the ability for them to get it out there is nothing compared to M$'s, so we'll see the surface (which is pretty inferior to jeff han's rig imo) to the market first and most likely crushing perceptive pixel.
I think the success of the surface will be fully defendant on thoroughness of the software that its designed to use. There probably is no better company than M$ to develop software for a new application like this.


BTW - I like Gates said he matches peoples expectations when asked how well he tips. That means he's got to give out some crazy tips.

[DrJones]

I think the success of the surface will be fully defendant on thoroughness of the software that its designed to use. There probably is no better company than M$ to develop software for a new application like this.


BTW - I like Gates said he matches peoples expectations when asked how well he tips. That means he's got to give out some crazy tips.

One story I remember reading a while back said Gates and two dozen or so pals made a $12000 bill at some fancy place (I believe it was to celebrate a wedding) and left an $8000 tip. Not bad...

The touch interface of Han's work does look more 'slick' but I think that almost takes away from what it is trying to be. This kind of system will only work if it's more simple than slick.

Plus, the interface is 100% driven by the software. Hardware wise (with what knowledge is available) it seems like the MS system could have a much better UI, simply because there are more ways to interact with the system (ie objects).

I'm really looking forward to these things hitting the general public and seeing the kind of stuff hobbyists do with it...

[Ashton]

oh my god. i would buy one today.