Microsoft Unveils Surface Computing

Very cool, but will I ever be able to afford it?

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/
from WinCustomize Forums

In the past year, the idea of multitouch interfaces has spread like wildfire.  It started with conference demos of graduate student research projects showing amazing new opportunities in UI and application design when you aren't limited to an artificial pointer, and really hit the mainstream with the unveiling of the iPhone at this year's MacWorld Conference.  You even saw a hint of the technology in Bill Gates' CES 2007 keynote speech, with the interactive kitchen countertop.

Well, this week, Microsoft is taking the wraps off of Project Milan, from the Surface Computing Team, and boy does some of this stuff look cool.  Here are just a few good links on this new tech:

Click the link below to go to Microsoft's official website for Surface Computing.  It's pretty cool stuff.  I can't wait until these appear on the consumer market!

5,467 views 18 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
meh wants! Imagine skinning that beast.

you can imagine that this might actually include the kitchen sink....
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I can see it in locations where a kiosk would be useful and maybe as a coffee table or countertop as a secondary computer but not as a work interface.

That's not to say I don't want one of course.
WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I can see this being our furture. Pretty awesome. I loved the camera picking up the picture as soon as he laid on the surface of the table. It amazes me. Great article.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Great link, thanks Zoomba.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Pretty cool i reckon, If I were them I'd have gotten a bit more in depth than drawing smiley faces..seemed very MSPAINT'y and I can just imagine a table full.. no, a bar full of drunks trying to learn that system ! Nightmare waiting to happen imo...

I would get tired of looking down..I like my screen in front of me and it seems like WAY too much moving around to accomplich the same things I can with a wrist click.

I wish them luck...Im gonna go out on a limb and predict that although future computing may resemble this, it will be dramatically different in implementation.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I would get tired of looking down..I like my screen in front of me and it seems like WAY too much moving around to accomplich the same things I can with a wrist click.

The thing is that it's not suppose to replace the PC. It's a completely new way to interact with services.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
But imagine one of these large touch systems mounted on a wall-arm that you can swing out from the wall or up from a table to have in front of you.  Very Minority Report ish 
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
 
But imagine one of these large touch systems mounted on a wall-arm that you can swing out from the wall or up from a table to have in front of you.


That sounds a lot better..you whip one up Zoomba.. I'll skin it   
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

That sounds a lot better..you whip one up Zoomba.. I'll skin it

I'm a little short on cash to start the project up.  Got $20 grand you can spare?

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Got $20 grand you can spare?


  

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I saw this on the late news. Looks future fantatic. I see it as more recreational like having the family sitting around the coffee table and having some fun.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Virtually unlimited application. Musical instruments...the ideas are just amazing. I'm waiting for holographics, but this will do 'til that comes along.
A once-upon-a-time gf, strawberry-blonde and not believing in underwear, used to sit on the office fax machine and send it to me, usually right when I was with an important client. Can just imagine the consequences with a setup like this.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This is just amazing, would be veeeerrrry cool to have.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think you could expand the idea to an virtually unlimited input device, something the size of a keyboard that can BE a keyboard or a "hand manipulation" screen or a wacom type tablet, etc. with a separate monitor for output. The input device could bring up pics of a keboard or paint colors like he was showing or thumbs of pics etc etc
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think you could expand the idea to an virtually unlimited input device, something the size of a keyboard that can BE a keyboard or a "hand manipulation" screen or a wacom type tablet, etc. with a separate monitor for output. The input device could bring up pics of a keboard or paint colors like he was showing or thumbs of pics etc etc


Kindof like the Optiumus Keyboard without the physical keys?
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Kindof like the Optiumus Keyboard without the physical keys?


and on steriods
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
and on steriods

Yea, throw in that keyboard that was around a few years ago that was completely operated without keys, but by a multi-touch surface area. Had a replaceable decking which allowed you to create custom layouts. And you could to hand gestures just like what you saw on the Surface.