Microsoft Surface: What You Need to Know
Microsoft is the first major player to announce a surface computing computer. The device is dubbed simply Microsoft Surface and is comprised of a 30-inch acrylic tabletop powered by a special Vista computer, 5 cameras and a DLP projector. Surface finally brings multi-touch technology, first exhibited by Jeff Han, to the masses.
Surface goes beyond just the multi-touch interface and introduces elements from tangible computing, such as specially tagged objects which can be placed on top of the tabletop to evoke separate actions. For example, while in the paint program, a specially tagged object can introduce a different paint pattern such as a splash. On the other hand, in the restaurant scene, a specially tagged glass could tell the table what wine you are drinking and provide additional information about it such as the wine producer and background information. When I say a specially tagged object, I am referring to a visual tagging method that is identified by the cameras underneath, which detect changes and movements in Infrared lighting.
However, Surface goes even further than just simple visually tagged objects and can interact with devices like the Microsoft Zune and Wi-Fi cameras. A common example I have seen in several Surface videos involves someone taking a picture with a Wi-Fi camera, setting the camera on the Surface and having the picture appear immediately.
As you can tell from the description already, Surface facilitates a complete collaborative experience and as such is not marketed towards individuals; and even if it was, people would have to get over the $5,000 - $10,000 price tag. Expect to see it first with Microsoft’s retail partners, casino resorts, hotels and such.
It’s great to finally see a commercial product like the Surface, especially after having explored multi-touch and tangible computing in my interaction design class last year. Unfortunately, it seems like multi-touch computing is a long way out from making an entrance into the home and replacing the traditional coffee table. But wouldn’t that be cool?
I can’t wait to see a Surface at a bar or lounge in the future (I turn 21 in a month, yes!). If you check out the videos below, you’ll see how fun the Surface makes ordering drinks, splitting the bill, calculating tip and paying by simply placing your card on the tabletop. However, the cynics will call the Microsoft Surface a glorified tip calculator, I’m sure. I recall a time I went to a sushi bar with a ton of friends - we literally spent 20 minutes trying to figure out how to split the bill. If only the Surface had been there to split our bill…
Videos to watch: Popular Mechanics, Bill Gates on the Today Show, and on10.net.
I don’t really understand why anyone would really use this. A 30 inch table is too small to use as a table. And this seems useless as an appliance. A computer that is only a fraction of the cost is just as effective with most of these tasks.
It’s all about the interface and interacting with computers on a previously unexplored level. You won’t be browsing the web on the Surface, rather you’d be using it with your friends collaboratively to do something else. As far as size, the screen is 30-inches, the table extends out to what looks like 45-50 inches, but yeah it’s not meant to be a large table by any means.
During Bill’s demo on the Today Show, the things that struck me as being coolest were (a) the way the table recognised the camera placed on top of it, and instantly pulled down the image, and (b) the way the images could be resized just by pulling your fingers across the screen.
It’s going to be interesting watching this thing develop. Prices will fall pretty quickly if it can find a market.
What will Apple think of this? Same touch screen tech as the iPhone? What else is there that Apple would want to utilize?
At 10K, it is hardly bring anything to the masses! The iPhone is bring a touch interface to the masses. Although a cool idea, most people will never see one except at some special event or place.
it certainly is a great device. Like you say Paul it would be awesome to order from the ‘Surface’…..the order goes to the kitchens automatically and then you can split the bill like in the vids. And to be able to dump my dSLR on it and review and bin pics is ace.
Good article. BTW - Bit of shameless promoting, i got the site up i discussed with you on AIM: http://www.appleresource.net
well not exactly your dSLR, I have yet to see a dSLR that supports Wi-Fi for file xfer.. =/
@Stephen - the first computers were ungodly expensive but you can find one for under $500 easily now. In 50 years, I’m sure Ikea will sell tabletop computing coffee tables. :-)
As for the “masses”, Microsoft is putting it out there for people to see (at retail locations) - that’s as close to the masses as it’s going to get for the next decade or so.
yeah but i have yet to see many gadgets with wi-fi for transfer….. i was speaking for the future. Lets face it at $5000-$10000 and only launching late this year early next this thing is a while off being mainstream.
Hot damn I am so excited about this. This is exactly the kind of crap we learned about last semester in Interaction Design- Ian showed us some really cool things. Man.
When i saw the videos from the official site i was really excited! I hope to buy one… It looks so cool!
Glad I’m not the only one who saw touches of the iPhone in there. Cool technology, for sure, though.
first fix the all problem in Vista than go for next product.
I do believe this was in production way before the iPhone was even a twinkle in Apple’s eye. The MS Surface website gives a brief history and states the early designs were done back in 2001.
I notice MS have put Zunes and digital cameras on the table…when will I be able to put my 360 on it and drag games onto the hard-drive!
@ Tom, no. This concept started in 2001 for MS as clearly stated by them….. Steve was onto the iphone in 1998