I want one of these.
The Microsoft Surface Website launched tonight. Take a trip to http://www.microsoft.com/surface/ to see the one of the coolest Implementations of user interactive design to make it to production. You may have seen this TED demo.
In this demo, Jeff Han shows off (for the first time publicly) a high-resolution multi-touch computer screen that may herald the end of the point-and-click mouse. The demo, which drew spontaneous applause and audible gasps from the audience, begins with a simple lava lamp, then turns into a virtual photo-editing tabletop, where Han flicks photos across the screen as if they were paper snapshots. (The Apple iPhone, to be released a year later, also does multi-touch — but only with two fingers.)
Surface is Microsoft attempt at commercializing this kind of hardware interface.
This amazing hardware device has been in development at Microsoft since 2001. Designed to work as a real desktop (30 inch interactive flat top) it sports a beautiful touch sensitive screen.
And most of those demos are built in WPF
-Robert Levy
PM, Surface SDK
Obviously the iphone is out now (I have one and love it). This really excites me and I think this is the way computers will go. It’s so intuitive and so much more ‘effortless’.
It bridges the gap between creativity and tasking when your on a computer. Can’t wait for more!
I finally got to play around with one of these in person. I was impressed by how accurately it detected input from multiple users.
While a large number of the apps are only for technology demonstration purposes, it is easy to see how this could indeed become a ubiquitous appliance in many commercial settings.
Here are some videos from units on display at MIX 08 including a Snow Board Customization App.
http://www.4tay.com/blogs/Adam-Parker/Microsoft-Surface-Demonstration-at-MIX-08/1/1/701/
This sure has come a long way from their sample unit in Redmond. Only thing left is a good/quick way of capturing user input (text).
Adam. I saw the Surface at Mix08. The booth had two units and both were in constant use during conference. All the comments I heard about the surface were positive.