Microsoft Plans to Revolutionize Interface Technology With "Surface"

[gxsaurav]

Taken from Dailytech & Engadget

Well, Microsoft is not new in the Multi touch or Touch screen display or Interface. Windows Mobile was there, Tablet PCs were there, now UPMC is also there.

However, Microsoft is taking this to next step, bringing real world interface to technology world.

Enter "surface". In its current form, Surface is incorporated into a 30" display mounted into a table. This allows user involvement to expand beyond just one person. Surface is capable of recognizing input from not just one finger, but multiple up to dozens of inputs simultaneously. However Surface technology can be incorporated anywhere.

Imagine this scenario, you have many pics on a wood table & how do u sort it out, you use finger & hands right. So why not in surface too....

The technology of Multitouch isn't that new. Apple announced it with iPhone, while Microsoft is bringing it to the masses before Apple can & in a much better way. As always, any 3rd party hardware or software can be pluged in

Microsoft also notes that the transfer of digital content is also possible with Surface. So it's not too hard to envision being able to set your Zune on Surface and transfer your playlist or video files for playback on the 30" display.

Surface will first be available at Harrah’s Entertainment properties, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts and T-Mobile retail stores.

The best thing is, it it not limited to one device only. It can easily be integrated in Windows Mobile device or XBOX or ZUNE.

[QwertyManiac]

Didn't Philips show this type of entertainment first? I remember reading about a touchscreen board game screen by Philips about a year ago.

[gxsaurav]

Maybe, but Philips did not bring it to the masses first in a usable form factor & interface, Microsoft did. This is what matters now, isn't it.

Looks like there are some demo videos up. Found this on neowin.

Originally Posted by Neowin

Channel 10 has revealed the Microsoft Surface Computer, a fully functioning multi-touch computing system – a project which started four years ago and will be launched later this year. "Surface computers will start with Microsoft partners getting first shot at various public applications, you'll most likely see them in action in Las Vegas first. Eventually prices will come down and production will go up and I expect we'll all be waving through our playlists on our coffee table before we know it," according to Channel 10's Larry Larsen.

Download the videos, the restaurant demonstration video is awsome. Minority Report like Computers are a possibility now


WMV Video

WMV High quality

Official Website & Microsoft Press Release

Some More pics & News with details is up at Engadget too.

Another video

[QwertyManiac]

Yeah you got it right for the first time .. For Microsoft, innovation never matters, just marketing

[gxsaurav]

Originally Posted by QwertyManiac

Yeah you got it right for the first time .. For Microsoft, innovation never matters, just marketing

The technology Philips showed was nothing like this, besides MS has been working on this since 4 years & Bill Gates even showed in a event in 2005 if you remember, although at that time it was quite new & nascent.

MS innovated, they took a half baked technology which was going to be device centric & made it availabale to be used in any device. Surface technology will not be limited to MS products, any 3rd party product can License & Use it , even make there product compatible with MS surface technology products.

[QwertyManiac]

I wonder if it will be long before someone makes it an Ouija board?

[kumarmohit]

Sounds Cool,can we have it in our lifetime?

[aryayush]

Uh... wasn't Multi-touch supposed to be patented or something!

[gxsaurav]

Originally Posted by aryayush

Uh... wasn't Multi-touch supposed to be patented or something!

Lolz.....you are gonna patent "A method to touch a screen to nevigate using multiple fingers" .

Oh wait, it is the american patent system which can even patent "A method to inhale air, to sort it out in multiple gases while keeping the gas needed & discarding those which are not needed back into air" = Breathing.

[dd_wingrider]

its amazing technology, specially that video puzzle, how do they do it

[amitava82]

Or may be how the icons are organized, menu layout bla bla... in OpenOffice..

[gxsaurav]

Originally Posted by amitava82

Or may be how the icons are organized, menu layout bla bla... in OpenOffice..

What , OpenOffice is patenting this too?

[amitava82]

No NO.. its MS. remember the famous joke by MS Open Office application suite violates 45 patents

[anandk]

"...one step closer towards Bill Gates's vision of a future where the mouse and keyboard are replaced by more natural interactions like touch or voice..." Do Visit http://www.microsoft.com/surface/

[gxsaurav]

Originally Posted by amitava82

No NO.. its MS. remember the famous joke by MS Open Office application suite violates 45 patents

Lolz...good thing MS isn't suing for "Look & Feel" of a software

Although, truly I would love to use a Matrix type computer with which I can interact by touching it. Like insted of clicking on "load" button I can simply push the "Load" button by my fingers.

refer to matrix 1

Hey I forgot to mention. Coming next year from Apple, the iTable using iSurface technology

Apple : We have reinvented the Table. Now you can watch your porn while having beer. Isn't this a wonderful thing to do. Microsoft just copied the idea from our iPhone, despite of having touch screen UI in Windows Mobile devices & PDAs from long time back. They have a time machine, they went to the future & copied our iTable & iSurface technology and released it in the past in 2007.

(Sorry Couldn't help myself)

[amitava82]

^^ like u find in ATM? whats new in that? there is already a gadget which u can connect with your LCD to convert it to touch screen. And natural voice interaction is not gonna happen any time soon.. Computers are so DUMB...

[gxsaurav]

Originally Posted by amitava82

^^ like u find in ATM? whats new in that? there is already a gadget which u can connect with your LCD to convert it to touch screen. And natural voice interaction is not gonna happen any time soon.. Computers are so DUMB...

Yup amit, there is nothing new in meaningful touch screen technology, they have been there since ages. Palm OS devices anyone?

Just that this is the first time this is incorporated in Desktop or Laptop computers, & Kudos to MS for bringing it out to the masses. Best thing I like is that it is a technology & not a device. It can be used in any compatible device out there.

Sony Ericsson, are u listening.

By the way, are you sure about that LCD device thing? os as far as I know, touch screen technology cannot be incorporated in a device unless the screen surface itself is touch sensitive.

[amitava82]

I don't believe without any hardware you can use any display as touchscreen. As u said u need "Compatible device" i.e, you need touch screen to use it. And the device i told is being sold on ebay. So, just buy one and there u go.. Enter the matrix..

Here is some links for those products
http://trolltouch.com/ (Toooo costly)
http://store.earthlcd.com/LCD-Produc...ch-Screen-Kits (Cheaper)

I want one of those.. but $270 for 15 inch??? :shok:

[gxsaurav]

Yup, there are also Modbooks which are touch screen Macs, just like Windows XP/Vista tablet PCs

[iMav]

hey guys remember there was a video - a desktop by some guy where in u could arrange ur icons and everything with ur fingers .... it was on tis forum

[gxsaurav]

You must be refering to the Bumptop desktop

[iMav]

i dont know the name but i think both techs are pretty much the same

[gxsaurav]

That was based on physics based nevigation. Like if you put a pile of books on another pile, it will move the pile under it.

[goobimama]

Surface is one Microsoft idea that has truly grabbed my attention. Its right out of a sci-fi movie. But wait, what's this comment doing in there?

while Microsoft is bringing it to the masses before Apple can & in a much better way.

What masses? The thing is said to cost like $5000 and that to its nowhere near production. Sounds a lot like Vaporware

I'm not negative about this, I truly want this to be a reality no matter from which company. But I don't think its anywhere (at least for another 5 years) near being referred to for 'the masses'.

[amitava82]

Yup... Its called bumptop.. useless but pretty cool though. I think it will be more useful with a touch screen..

[gxsaurav]

Bumptop already uses a touchscreen display

[aryayush]

Here's a bit of Ballmerism:
“$10,000 for a PC table? That's the most expensive PC on the planet! And it doesn't appeal to business customers because it doesn't have a keyboard!”

[aceman]

Originally Posted by Indyan

Every new technology is expensive. Do you remember how must hi def tv cost when it was just introduced?

Touch screen by itself is not costly.It I had written many touch screen drivers before and basically speaking most if not all touch screen(s) I have worked with work on the principle of Ohms law.Take a look into the attached image for more info.What I am truly amazed is how the software(driver) is written to handle multiple inputs (Something which even the iPhone amazed me).
Oh well!! have to wait for the iPhone to dismantle it and find out .

[aryayush]

This Surface thing does not even have a touchscreen in the first place.

[gxsaurav]

Originally Posted by aryayush

This Surface thing does not even have a touchscreen in the first place.

This comment is at the zenith of ignorene .

It is clearly mentioned that Surface uses a touch sensitive surface with multi touch. You "touch" the table or surface to work on it.

This time read with eyes open.