Microsoft Surface Computing - I want it, now!

[MD]

Microsoft's Surface Computing is coming and they think it could revolutionise the way we use computing and operating systems in the future.

It's not that far off either, with an estimated arrival time of 5-7 years Microsoft will be making a full announcement to Wall Street later today, but in the meantime check out the channel 10 video and let us know what you think!

[Tom Scott]

I want one now....

[kalniel]

People have been demoing this kind of thing for years and years. Glad someone's finally making it for real, but sheesh.. 5-7 years..

[Stoo]

like *ahem* Jeff Han?

http://cs.nyu.edu/~jhan/ftirtouch/

and the company he created to develop it: http://www.perceptivepixel.com/

Looks like we know where they got their "inspiration"..

[neonplanet40]

http://forums.hexus.net/showthread.php?t=109040

he beat you by 3 minutes

Looks very sweet tbh but we wont see it at a realistic price for a long time i'd say.

Strategy games would be sweet on it. C&C on your living room table anyone?

[Dreaming]

I read about this on BBC this morning:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6703249.stm

Microsoft has unveiled a new touch-sensitive coffee table-shaped computer called "Surface".

Designed to do away with the need for a traditional mouse and keyboard, users can instead use their fingers to operate the computer.

Also designed to interact with mobile phones placed on the surface, Microsoft says it will initially sell the unit to corporate customers.

These will include hotels, casinos, phone stores and restaurants.

'Multi-touch'

So-called "multi-touch" interfaces - which allow the user to "gesture" with several fingers at once to manipulate data, rather than relying on a mouse and menus - have been making waves in tech circles for some time.

One of the most hotly-awaited examples is Apple's iPhone, which is scheduled to be released in June.

Hewlett-Packard has also been looking at expanding multi-touch technology, in addition to leading research scientists such as Jeff Han of New York University's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences.

With a 30-inch screen, Surface will initially sell for between $5,000 and $10,000 (£2,525-£5,050).

However, Microsoft said it aimed to produce cheaper versions for homes within three to five years.

[Tom Scott]

Where can I buy one for £2525?

[mart_haj86]

I want one sounds a bit like Minority Report.

[Funkstar]

if the technology works well, i can see this taking off big time. And hopefully the prices will drop quickly too.

[nvening]

He said it was 5-7 years, 5-7 years ago

This is apparently coming into use this yearish.

And yeh theres been stuff like it before but microsoft have managed to get it with partners etc

[[DW]Cougho]

i wants now, that is truely amazing stuff.

[GeorgeTuk]

I don't think MS are claiming it is all their invention, after all multi-touch screens have been prepped to appear on the next Ipod and HP stuff too. I think what MS have done is created a useable product with an interface and multi-faceted software.

[WestHej]

I'm sure i saw someone using this (or something VERY similar) on Youtube playing Warcraft 3 on it about 2 years ago.

[Raz316]

Hmm I dunno, concept wise its really cool, but other than that.... Im not entirely sure. I really hate that they've called it 'surface computing', not so much for its name, but because it has a name, I am not a fan of buzz words. From what I can see it's just multiple touch screen (kinda like a Wii, but with fingerprint smudges ).

Alot of what they did is possible with a single touch environment as well, like three quarters of the demonstration. (Claiming that they can use it to look at photos instead of having everyone crammed round a digital camera... kinda like, I dunno, sitting round a PC maybe?

The ability to use external parts was cool too, but leaves you open to losing bits. That's what is great about computing, everything is in one place.

I very much doubt it will become mainstream though, an office worker will end up spending all day looking down or with his/her arms in the air

Sorry my post is really negative, I do think parts of it are really cool and I'd love to see my kids mucking around with something similar at pre-school one day!

[Funkstar]

For general office use? not practical, but then i don't think it was ever aimed at that.

I can see it being useful for receptionists, on a smaller scale, managing incomming calls etc.

But the main market will be for multimedia, gaming, and home computing. I can also imagine that it will be used in conjunction with a regular home PC/server perhaps even being a bumb terminal for the interface only.

[GeorgeTuk]

For general office use? not practical, but then i don't think it was ever aimed at that.

I can see it being useful for receptionists, on a smaller scale, managing incomming calls etc.

But the main market will be for multimedia, gaming, and home computing. I can also imagine that it will be used in conjunction with a regular home PC/server perhaps even being a bumb terminal for the interface only.

Exactly it will be multimedia, like those quiz mahines in pubs but on the table. And for home use it would be ace to show my parents picture in the way the video does it. In fact the company I work for has expressed an interest in a demo unit and they will be available, its like they said they will be corporate toys (a la plasma/LCD/holographic glass screens) until production is ramped up and then the bits become cheaper.

Or it could fade into obscurity.