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BREAKING ANNOUNCEMENT: The new Microsoft Surface

microsoft.com — The launch of Microsoft Surface marks the beginning of a new technology category and a user-interface revolution. Surface, Microsoft ’s first surface computer, provides effortless interaction with digital content through natural hand gestures, touch and physical objects. Surface computing breaks down traditional barriers between people and technolog

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  • mgkwho, on 11/11/2007, -184/+109Wow, Gizmodo was right about this rumor. About time.

    The touchscreen technology battle just got a whole lot more heated.

    -=|Mgkwho
    • TBobes, on 10/11/2007, -350/+79I stayed up until midnight for nothing. This has been around for years. It was even on two episodes of diggnation. What is the big deal? Its just a big iphone. ;)
    • jesusismetal, on 10/11/2007, -440/+46Looks gay.
    • fitzfan, on 11/06/2007, -272/+902Awesome, a touch screen table.

      Now if only it could fit in my pocket, hold songs and video, had a phone built in and only cost $499 or $599....
    • TomPlansMedia, on 11/05/2007, -19/+528im an apple fan, but im still really glad to see this tech being brought to the public. its pretty much exactly what jeff han showed off at TED.

      Press release and pics:
      http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/surfacecomputing/default.mspx
    • soda0289, on 10/11/2007, -14/+243Music - You put your music player on the table, and your credit card. Both are recognized, then you drag songs to the player. Zune is obvious first device, but potential other partner in the works. One demo used a nano. Could partner really be Apple? Let's not get carried away... yet.
      •Virtual Concierge - A fairly self explanatory guide program, complete with mapping programs
      •Food & Drink - Not just interactive menus, but glass (and presumably plate and maybe even silverware) recognition. Like Music program, it reads credit cards just by placing them on table.
      •Photo - A simple photo editor reminiscent of iPhoto
      •Puzzle - A game where you assemble actual pieces of glass on top of the table, each with a sliver of live video playing
      •Water - A water screensaver that you can touch to make ripples
      •Paint - Simple painting program that reads pressure sensitivity by judging the size of your fingerprint
    • WhiteIce89, on 10/11/2007, -7/+258I remember something like this being showcased a long time ago. Of course, with the type of capital investment that Microsoft can bring in, this is finally going to become a reality.
    • djlosch, on 10/11/2007, -102/+23the implications of this tech are enormous. the problem is that there are already 825 related patents including system and method for holding up or supporting objects with a stand which has a plurality of legs, system and method for accepting input via pressure sensitive poller, and standard manual input device. no one has yet to tell the PTO that these are a table, a touchscreen, and the human finger, but hey, virtually everything is patentable.

      marked as lame for the BREAKING ANNOUNCEMENT part though. when will you fools learn?
    • deadowl, on 10/11/2007, -47/+20Try Reactable for previously existing similar devices. Except Reactable is much cooler because the interface is actually TANGIBLE. Who's going to want to stare with their heads down at a coffee table? This has no general purpose use and will therefore not be very successful outside of a niche market for things such as conferencing and network chalkboards (which also already exist).
    • fitzfan, on 10/11/2007, -58/+27"•Puzzle - A game where you assemble actual pieces of glass on top of the table, each with a sliver of live video playing"

      I hope you're not getting too excited over the $10,000 puzzle
    • biochem, on 10/11/2007, -17/+66I remember seeing this being demonstrated before. I didnt think it was microsoft who was creating it though. Anyone know if they bought this technology from some entrepreneurs or did they actually create this from scratch?
    • biochem, on 10/11/2007, -24/+48I think this is what i saw before. http://www.touchtable.com/site/video.php
      anyone think this is the same thing?
    • knightblade2oo4, on 10/11/2007, -12/+97this could be a smash hit or a horrible failure. but I'd be interested in buying one, looks awesome.
    • Jo9100, on 10/29/2007, -37/+3951. hello backaches
      2. i wonder what porn'll look like...
    • deadowl, on 10/11/2007, -17/+5@biochem
      http://youtube.com/watch?v=vm_FzLya8y4
    • biochem, on 10/11/2007, -7/+51Ahhh, this is actually what i saw b4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcKqyn-gUbY&mode=related&search=
      its what tomsplansmedia was talking about
    • postaboy, on 10/11/2007, -16/+26I just saw the 20 min video and it looks pretty sweet, but what i really want to know is how much it's gonna cost?
    • Rhino2, on 10/11/2007, -84/+50
      Holy DAM!

      I'm going to get Vista tomorrow. ***** this linux *****, I want a god dam Microsoft table!
    • buddyw, on 10/11/2007, -77/+368I can't wait to put Linux on it!
    • bobthebuilder25, on 10/11/2007, -125/+517That website is a piece of marketing-hype *****. I'd rather see an engineer demonstrate the technology than a bunch of fake smiles and bitches in leather jackets with fancy jewelry, emailing her stupid mom... i hate people.....
    • jdaniel284, on 10/11/2007, -55/+25Why all the frowny faces Apple stockholders? Lol.
    • Shuk, on 10/11/2007, -26/+276Wow, I was expecting a lame Zune update but I find myself shocked and surprised! This is truly innovative and futuristic, and really cool! Good move Microsoft, just don't make 20 different versions and sell them for ludicrous prices please!
    • FadieZ, on 10/11/2007, -40/+20I don't want any fingerprints on my ***** coffee table, thank you.
    • SnuKs, on 10/11/2007, -10/+179It looks good. As an Apple head I give it major props.

      Imagine how badass your coffee table would be with that thing on it. Question is would it be spill resistant? OooOO....
    • sputnikv, on 10/11/2007, -20/+9that table looks like it might get a little hot
    • mrASSMAN, on 10/11/2007, -21/+111For those of you who say Microsoft copied this technology etc., just click on "origins" in the navigation bar and they explain how it came into fruition.

      hint: it began in 2001, BEFORE the recent TED conference.
    • fubes2000, on 10/11/2007, -33/+78While I'm quite interested in multitouch computing like this, it will take a lot more real-time convincing than a slick tech demo from Microsoft.

      I'm still paranoid about putting my credit card info into my home computer with WinXP, I'm not about to toss my wallet onto a Microsoft branded stealth wallet raping device like in the video there.
    • wclifton1, on 10/11/2007, -19/+4@Shuk
      oh you mean like the Sheraton edition which sells for $10,000, or the t-mobile storefront for a mere $9,999?
    • samgab, on 10/11/2007, -25/+152...ass recognition?
    • SlvrEagle23, on 10/11/2007, -9/+389I want one of these as my desk at work.

      That would pretty much seal the deal on getting absolutely nothing done ever.
    • Jamminn, on 10/11/2007, -30/+118I wonder how it reacts to a nice fat line of Bolivian...

      Or is that just me?

    • foxymcfox, on 10/11/2007, -13/+189About the only thing I could see this being used for on the consumer level is for a kickass version of Risk.
    • PATSCRU, on 10/11/2007, -9/+28all those apps shown on the tv are well and good, but i'd like to see windows run on it, so we could start using a giant multitouch interface for programs like Ableton Live or any VJ programs....i've been dying for something like this.
    • mrASSMAN, on 10/11/2007, -4/+61According to their press release, "Beginning at the end of this year, consumers will be able to interact with Surface in hotels, restaurants, retail establishments and public entertainment venues."

      So it's not designed for home use yet, it's for use by businesses for customers to interact with.
    • Lux7, on 10/11/2007, -44/+18If the price is...

      cheap = Wii sales

      expensive = PS3 sales
    • ummagummas08, on 10/11/2007, -23/+16Do you honestly want to go through Photos like they're actually on a desk? Seems a bit like overkill to me.

      And does anyone else think that the 'dragging and dropping onto objects' function is a little off? Maybe not for the zune, or the PDA thing, but the camera? Not any cameras I know of. I hope they make it iPod friendly (probably not since it has no wi-fi)

      Other than that it looks badass.
    • PathDaemon, on 10/11/2007, -28/+12The technology exists, but bringing it all together cheaply and stably isn't possible. There's nothing in this demo I haven't seen before... it's like Bill Gates' showing off "the future" at the end of each keynote — erm, OK, but your situation is idealized and has been designed to suit the demo.

      This, as mentioned several times in the video, is Microsoft's vision of The Future. Not that it isn't hot, but I get the sense they're not actually doing much toward it.
    • omgomgomg, on 10/11/2007, -25/+226EF this, give me a BASH shell at my restaurant table. essential commands..

      rm -r ./dirty_dishes
      kill -9 waiter_id_#3
      food-get -f install pie

      word
    • SnuKs, on 10/11/2007, -19/+220"Apple will have a Multi-touch device shipping next month. I wonder when Surface will actually make it into a product ... color me unimpressed."

      Like I said before, I'm an Apple fan, but I can't believe how narrow minded some other Apple fans can be. Well I am impressed by this. Why? Because it's a cool new piece of technology that is starting to spread through the market. Yea Apple is shipping it in a form of a phone next month and I think that's awesome and I'm excited for it. But you gotta hand to MS, they took a different route with it. Instead of making an "iphone killer" with the same touch screen tech, they used their brain and thought of how to implement it other ways for the consumer. Same tech, different market. Props MS.

      Fellow Apple fans, check yourself.
    • signal15, on 10/11/2007, -37/+48This was demonstrated a couple of years ago at the TED conference. Jeff Hahn was the inventor of it. Recently, he was asked if he was ***** that Apple stole his technology for the iPhone. He said they didn't steal it, but he couldn't talk about it.

      This is kind of interesting, because theres a rumor that Apple's next line of displays is going to include touch technology. Additionally, they have already told developers that Leopard will have resolution independence. So, if you've got both of these things, you have most of what you need for a multi-touch display. Since the UI for Leopard has not been shown in full yet, and there is speculation that the current UI in the developer builds is just "there" for now, there is a good possibility Leopard will have this technology. Which means Apple could beat MS to market with it.

      It is quite interesting that MS chose a time 2 weeks before Apple's WWDC to announce this. It's probably safe to assume that there are people inside Apple that are supplementing their paycheck with an under the table payment from MS every month in return for some insider info.
    • knelto, on 10/11/2007, -22/+86Wonder what would happen if you put a Mac on top of the surface?
    • Tsen, on 10/11/2007, -11/+38Normally I'm thoroughly unimpressed by Microsoft products, but this one looks pretty amazing. Good to see this sort of technology finally breaching the line between concept and production--and for once, I'm not too put off that Microsoft's the one pushing it across that line.
    • latova, on 10/11/2007, -42/+7who the hell would want that ugly load of crap on their table
    • diggcopblowme, on 10/11/2007, -69/+10BREAKING: No one cares about Microsoft's projects anymore.

      http://www.paulgraham.com/microsoft.html
    • Teh_N3UT3R3R, on 10/11/2007, -14/+110I heard if you pee on the table, it gives you sodium, calcium, and iron content calculations.
    • TheDiggMan, on 10/11/2007, -15/+50How does the table know what kind of object you put on it, like the Zune, Cellphones, and PDAs in the videos?
    • APHughes, on 10/11/2007, -14/+9When can I get one
    • slowmo, on 10/11/2007, -7/+79It needs a tilt feature. Leaning over a coffee table is fun for about 5 minutes then it starts to hurt.
    • TheReport, on 10/11/2007, -48/+150Sweet, now we can finally bring 'The Blue Screen of Death' into the living room.
    • OBKenobi, on 10/11/2007, -29/+9Microsoft is going to get their ass sued for claiming to have invented this.
    • killrrabit, on 10/11/2007, -34/+3I find it interesting to see that many are forgetting that Microsoft is a software company. When this thing becomes available to the public, they are going to be Hitachi, LG, Dell, Sony-made tables running Microsoft software. That being said, these tables are going to experience the same problems that PCs have when running Microsoft software. Don't get me wrong, this technology is badass and I hope that this announcement leads to technological progress, but the fanboy in me does want to point out the fact that Apple will be making this technology available within a month to consumers in a handheld device. Who knows when Microsoft will be delivering a form of this to us... if it is anything like Longhorn, that would be 2013 (and it will be a pile of ***** that uses nearly 1G of RAM when idle while ripping off everything Apple and it will be so terrible that Dell will regress to selling XP and Linux).
    • humperdeath, on 10/11/2007, -18/+5Aw *****, I just bought a new Vista Premium laptop and it's already out of date.
    • Gameflyer, on 10/11/2007, -4/+20Dude, awesome. Although I do think it's still be a few years until it can get that kind of interaction with ALL those devices.
    • rluecke, on 10/11/2007, -10/+3Video mirror:
      http://inv.entio.us/
    • sam10685, on 10/11/2007, -9/+1@mgkwho; ...and we are the ones that win. :)
    • defectDS, on 10/11/2007, -21/+5I hate to pull this card because this is truly amazing on MS's part, but looking over the video, some of the UI just screams Apple. In the map application the little list the grows and the stuff in the corner looks like a dashboard widget, and flipping the album art around to look at the songs barely differs from the iPhone UI. I really wish MS could go farther with the aero look than trying to capitalize on Aqua and make it their own.

      The "Find It" page says coming Winter 2007...?
    • Disko, on 10/11/2007, -19/+230In with the 1st photoshop! http://users.on.net/~disko/touchbsod.jpg
    • EbilPhish, on 10/11/2007, -15/+59I love the fact that the website uses flash, while they are trying to kill it off with Silverlight.
    • ToadLeg, on 10/11/2007, -32/+3Touchscreen computers have been around for a while...it certainly is not "BREAKING NEWS" just because it's called "Microsoft Surface; the possibilities seem endless!!!!"

      BURY: Lame
    • rda52, on 10/11/2007, -12/+11Can it run Doom? if it can, sell me one :-)
    • macmcrae, on 10/11/2007, -14/+3Seems like it would really lend itself to digital art if it had a fast processor and a nice sensitive touch screen. Like an awesome wacom cintiq with a brain. MS has alot to learn from apple in the presentation business though. Those pictures really blow. They make it look like a pacman machine that should be stuck in a pizza parlor from 1983. That whole site seems to scream flop. Even if it is in fact cool.
    • understudy, on 10/11/2007, -13/+4

      Interesting but it seems like more of a toy.

      Just because you can have touchscreens everywhere doesn't mean you really need touchscreens everywhere. That restaurant dinner table clip seemed a little silly. "Let's install this expensive touch screen in our tables so our customers can pay with their credit cards. Oh wait, they already can without the expensive obnoxious screen."

      Wait until advertisers cover the things every time they are on standby. Yikes.

      _

    • crahan, on 10/11/2007, -13/+66@omgomgomg who said
      ---------
      EF this, give me a BASH shell at my restaurant table. essential commands..

      rm -r ./dirty_dishes
      kill -9 waiter_id_#3
      food-get -f install pie

      word
      ---------

      Do you always completely delete your dishes at the restaurant? I'd suggest you use:

      make clean ./dirty_dishes
    • jrak, on 10/11/2007, -5/+20I disagree with digging the parent down, hear me out.
      There are some practical applications for this. Tabletops in public places offer a lot in interactive potential. Touchscreen doesn't have to change the world, just add to some part of it.
      This is a good thing.
      The battle _is_ heating up.
    • chicaneuk, on 10/11/2007, -8/+6I was reading the blurb thinking to myself "I just can't see something like this taking off" - and I still stand by that for home use at least. I think its a cool idea, and very fun, but it must cost a fortune and its not like its a technology we feel like we've been missing forever.

      However - I the picture of the restaurant system I thought was brilliant. I could see that at fun sorts of restaurants (you ain't gonna see it at Gordon Ramsay at Claridges for example) like pizza places, etc where you just scroll through and pick what you want. You can see what you're ordering, it makes it a bit of fun.. great idea.
    • Elranzer, on 10/11/2007, -14/+2Damn. It's *almost* as big as the original Xbox controller...
    • hdtvdust, on 10/11/2007, -20/+15I love how hte Apple fanboys are talking about how MS copied Apple with the multitouch screen idea.

      My god fanboys...do you honestly think that mutli-touch screen devices haven't been out for YEARS?

      I have been playing multi-touch Mega Touch games at bars for at LEAST 3 years now.

      And the concept makes NO sense on a phone. You either have to put the phone down to touch it in two places, or look like a fool holding it with both hands. (Then again, being Apple fanboys, you don't really have to worry about your image being hurt any more than it already is.)
    • ophello, on 10/11/2007, -11/+3@ snuks

      Actually, neither microsoft OR apple get props for ANYTHING weve seen thus far concerning multi-touch. The only thing microsoft gets props for is busting out their prelimenary marketing strategies and dazzling us with possibilities we wont see in any coffee shop for years to come.

      Apple's OS 'leopard' probably uses all these fancy multi-touch gestures, and they probably have an actual computer that runs it, to boot. aside from the iPhone, i bet we will see this technology first in an apple computer and secondly at denny's.
    • cynicist, on 10/11/2007, -9/+3@ crahan

      rm = remove
    • hdtvdust, on 10/11/2007, -10/+5OBKENOBI IS BACK! Whoo hoo! High school must be out!

      Hey, OB...Let's make a bet. You say Microsoft is going to get sued. BET on it.

      Do you honestly think that Apple invented multi-touch? Seriously. Do you?
    • NyQuilPillz, on 10/11/2007, -11/+3@foxymcfox

      "About the only thing I could see this being used for on the consumer level is for a kickass version of Risk."

      oh man i jsut laughed so hard haha
    • KlayBorg, on 10/11/2007, -5/+2About the backaches thing, couldn't they make it rotatable, allowing you to change the gradient of the table?
      Obviously it would have to be a gradient that prevents it slipping (or maybe a surface).
      Otherwise, this is quite a niche product.
    • jrbrewin, on 10/11/2007, -4/+41"That being said, these tables are going to experience the same problems that PCs have when running Microsoft software"

      or you could look at it as they could run like other controlled hardware platforms that microsoft has delivered on, which work brilliantly (no BSODs). Xboxes, Windows Mobile, Zune.. in other words, get your head out of the sand. We're not in 2001 any more toto.
    • MoDinero, on 10/11/2007, -16/+6Anyone wanna bet how long it's gonna take for a photo of MS Surface with a Blue Screen of Death to show up?
    • Ajjah, on 10/11/2007, -17/+4Oh the creativity! Microsoft "Surface"!
    • DarkDragon, on 10/11/2007, -9/+3@crahan:
      @omgomgomg who said
      ---------
      EF this, give me a BASH shell at my restaurant table. essential commands..

      rm -r ./dirty_dishes
      kill -9 waiter_id_#3
      food-get -f install pie

      word
      ---------

      Do you always completely delete your dishes at the restaurant? I'd suggest you use:

      make clean ./dirty_dishes

      ---------

      Also, don't kill -9 him unless its necessary... simply kill him so in the process of quitting, he will clean up his own bloody entrails. also, wipe ./dirty_dishes you lazy person >.>
    • MonkeyFondue, on 10/11/2007, -2/+7Looks like we are one step closer to eliminating all direct human interaction. On the plus side, I no longer have to worry about my food order being screwed up on account of someone else's incompetence, or have to listen to a half hearted cell phone pitch from an employee who's really pushy.
    • NotASenator, on 10/11/2007, -2/+19"For those of you who say Microsoft copied this technology etc., just click on "origins" in the navigation bar and they explain how it came into fruition.

      hint: it began in 2001, BEFORE the recent TED conference."


      Specifically, at the beginning of the TED presentation, Han points out that people have been working on this technology since the 80s.
    • shawnz, on 10/11/2007, -17/+17"Awesome, a touch screen table.

      Now if only it could fit in my pocket, hold songs and video, had a phone built in and only cost $499 or $599...."

      microsoft smartphones and pocketpcs do that, and they've only been around for... oh... 5+ years? :-)


      edit: oh, and they're cheaper than that, too.
    • hackmyballs, on 10/11/2007, -10/+1*me pukes*
    • DiggasWAttitude, on 10/11/2007, -4/+3@jo9100 -
      I think this order makes more sense from a cause and effect point of view:
      1. i wonder what porn'll look like...
      2. hello backaches
    • wageslaven, on 11/12/2007, -7/+24@ophello

      "Apple's OS 'leopard' probably uses all these fancy multi-touch gestures"
      Every MS OS has had touch screen drivers. Im sure Microsoft Surface will be an SDK or Runtime middleware "product", the touchscreens themselves, will probably be "Microsoft Surface Certified" to be capable of running the software. Think "Direct X Certified" videocards and "Windows Vista Certified" desktops, the hardware aspect is mostly a compatibitlity/comfort-level marketing thing (from MS's point of view) to make the market place comfortable.

      "and they probably have an actual computer that runs it, to boot"
      There is not a Apple computer on the planet that I cant out-perform with a homebuilt box and Vista -- for less money. Give it a rest.

      "aside from the iPhone"
      The iphone is a touch screen smartphone. It is not relevant in this discussion. Besides, touchscreens in smartphones have been a dime-a-dozen since 2000. Why pretend otherwise? Adding Mutli-touch is _mildly_ evolutionary in nature.

      "i bet we will see this technology first in an apple computer"
      We've seen touchscreens for a 25 years. We've seen touch-screen Smartphones & PDAs for 15 years. We've seen touchscreen PCs for 20 yearss. We see a evolutionary change in hardware (mutli-touch) and great software to take advantage of it, IN THIS ARTICLE from Microsoft Surface. What are you talking about? Apple's iphone? Give it a ***** rest.

      "secondly at denny"
      I bet you'll see it sooner than you think in the mall at the music-store sooner than you think. Its AV and interactive - great to keep eyeballs for advertising. These super-large desks and table applications will go into commercial facilities and drive the price down till we can start to approach them for the home (think Plasma TV).

      Simply adding a multi-touch to a LCD Monitor, and adding Microsoft Surface to your Vista install could be done tomorrow. Put a "Microsoft Surface Certified" mutli-touch on this reversable screen multi-touch laptop http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/catalog.workflow:category.details?current-catalog-id=12F0696583E04D86B9B79B0FEC01C087¤t-category-id=329576204C9E42289967E79E0E7C9A2D

      and were all set.
    • WATYF, on 10/11/2007, -3/+4
      So does anyone actually know what part (if any) Jeff Han played in this product?

      I saw an equally impressive demo more than a year ago, and it looked almost identical to the interfaces being demonstrated on the Microsoft site. The picture manipulation, the map navigation, the painting program... all the same as what I saw before.

      So did MS buy this tech, or did they just happen to develop the same exact thing that Jeff demo'd quite a while back?
    • Charlotte_Web, on 10/11/2007, -9/+7If you look at the Origins section of the Surface web site, you see that Microsoft does not acknowledge Jeff Han in any way; according to them, this was completely developed internally. This, despite the fact that the interface from Jeff Han's group and the interface from Microsoft Surface are nearly identical.

      Did Microsoft pull another Windows and steal the interface? I doubt it was the other way around since, as Bill Gates said in an interview, Microsoft has kept this secret under lock and key, while Jeff Han has been showing his demo to everyone:

      http://www.perceptivepixel.com/

      Hopefully, Han licensed the interface before showing it around and Microsoft is paying him huge royalties.
    • TheWorm, on 10/11/2007, -10/+5I've yet to encounter cheesier marketing than Microsoft's.
    • naio, on 10/11/2007, -12/+19After reading all these crappy comments I've got only one statement to make:

      "Digg is overridden by Apple and Linux bitches."

      Time to find another web 2.0 news site.
    • Chewie67, on 10/11/2007, -10/+3@biochem -- wow. That YouTube video from Adobe is *exactly* what Microsoft just "announced".

      Typical Microsoft. Very little innovation. Very much duplication.
    • GenericJoshman, on 10/11/2007, -5/+4There's a reason why Microsoft is number one.
      I truly am looking forward to all of the potential this thing has.
    • fr0stb1t3, on 11/12/2007, -6/+2@wageslaven

      "There is not a Apple computer on the planet that I cant out-perform with a homebuilt box and Vista -- for less money. Give it a rest."

      I don't mean to nitpick or anything, but that's not true (without overclocking and that doesn't count). Intel made the 3.0ghz Quad Core Xeon's an Apple exclusive for the time being. Meaning their Mac Pro IS the fastest home system on the planet right now.
    • opieum, on 10/11/2007, -2/+6Instead of MS Paint, they can call it MS Fingerpaint.
    • darkciti, on 10/11/2007, -8/+5I don't see the point.

      It's going to be a ridiculously overpriced novelty/toy. It's not practical (who the ***** wants to bend over a table while playing with pictures). From the ad, the only ***** it can do is play with pictures, and rearrange video tiles. BFD.

      I bet it's going to be like $4,000 dollars to boot.

      No thanks.
    • Trax78, on 10/11/2007, -6/+3Digg it guys! Let's beat the iPhone!
    • fcekuahd, on 10/11/2007, -4/+3This is going to set the world of fire, just like the Newton did.
  • lpicanco, on 11/11/2007, -57/+1Isso vai dar o que falar.

    É o lançamento

    This is the launch
  • mannymix03, on 11/11/2007, -162/+28they really need to hire a better marketing team or something, but i mean come on, the "surface"?
    • JeffH, on 11/11/2007, -9/+193Seems like a perfectly suitable name to me. Simple, easy to remember, explains the product, get's the job done. If this had been named the iSurface would it suddenly be better because of the extra flair the "i" gives the name?
    • hdtvdust, on 11/11/2007, -66/+563Why? Because YOU don't like it?

      If it was the Apple iSurface, you would literally be ejaculating into your palm and licking it up right now.
    • TheMacThinker, on 10/11/2007, -103/+5We can clearly see who Microsoft bought this technology from... if even they bought it.
      Wait to see what Apple is coming out with. I think MS is just trying to shine before next week (June 11) when Apple will announce new products. It smell an upcoming patent battle guys...
      http://www.mostofmymac.com
    • elmasri, on 10/11/2007, -6/+67I think the name was simple, to the point and great. Why go with a silly trend of fancy names. Surfc ?
    • slythfox, on 10/11/2007, -34/+80@hdtvdust,
      Just... WTF?
    • jwdav, on 10/11/2007, -8/+15I'm not thinking patent battle - Apple patented touch screens based on LCD type displays with built in optical sensing. Microsoft has built a touch screen that uses a rear projector and an actual camera sensor.

      Microsoft's solution seems to be aimed at larger scale commercial deployments (30 Inches+ $5000+), while Apple is targetting home/business users.

    • InfamousAtheist, on 10/11/2007, -9/+38@hdtvdust:

      Wow, you commented and I laughed. Where did the usual troll go?

      @themacthinker:

      I have a sneaking suspicion that you're a tiny bit biased. Just a feeling, you know...
    • monkeyrun, on 10/11/2007, -30/+10"If it was the Apple iSurface, you would literally be ejaculating into your palm and licking it up right now."

      Because if it's Apple iSurface they will actually have a product to go with it.

      e.g. Apple did not announce multi-touch untill iPhone is ready for public announcement.
    • shadyk8o, on 10/11/2007, -19/+5If it was called an "Apple iSurface", there would of been a better release video/presentation for us to appreciate and want it more.
    • azurepalm, on 10/11/2007, -4/+14@monkeyrun

      microsoft surface is supposedly will be available in a few months. apple iphone when first announced wasn't available immediately, it will also be available in supposedly a few months. what's the difference?
    • grav3k33p3r, on 10/11/2007, -1/+6surface seems to be reasonable name...
    • orangemarmalade, on 10/11/2007, -4/+10@mannymix03:

      they really need to hire a better marketing team or something, but i mean come on, the "iPhone"?
    • Kazbaeden, on 10/11/2007, -3/+7"Apple did not announce multi-touch untill iPhone is ready for public announcement."

      So, Apple didn't announce the iPhone until it was announced? Well that changes everything.
    • NSMike, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2@themacthinker -

      Hmm...

      Endowment bias?
    • danigiri, on 10/11/2007, -4/+1"microsoft surface is supposedly will be available in a few months. apple iphone when first announced wasn't available immediately, it will also be available in supposedly a few months. what's the difference?"

      I agree with you in a sense. They both are unreleased products.

      Now, this is just a cool video from Microsoft. To do a cool video like one of those using tech still years from being released is certainly possible and doable.

      The iPhone is also a cool video and some obscure demos on MacWorld.

      However, this will be a moot point in a couple of weeks as the iPhone reaches the hands of consumers. Manufacturers have been named, lots of details. The argument of stating that the iPhone is also vaporware (which I agree) has only days of validity. Then, we'll have to come up with arguments to compare a shipping product in the hands of costumers to some cool videos on a website.

      dani++
    • Balanced, on 10/11/2007, -4/+2kazbaeden, i think the point is that the iPhone is a product... Surface seems (at this point) to be more of a technology awaiting a definite use.
    • Rtothe2, on 10/11/2007, -2/+5I think this is the first time ever hdtvdust has been dugg more than -17... Congrats!
    • OrlyonokEaglet, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1I think it's a good name, maybe it's a twist on 'interface', now you have 'surface'.
    • GabrielMobius, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1You're right! They should have been trendy and dropped a vowel or two. How does Srface sound?
  • hopenobodyknows, on 10/11/2007, -226/+21this is why people don't anticipate microsoft product releases..
    • MioTheGreat, on 10/11/2007, -22/+284Are you kidding? Did you even watch the video? This thing looks amazing.
    • rompom7, on 10/11/2007, -19/+37@hopenobodyknows: Thats probably because Microsoft are open with their releases, not hiding them and hyping them up as a cheap marketing tool.

      I can just imagine the Apple fanboys if Apple were first to announce this, there would be no hating at all.

      Anyway, I don't care what anyone says, this looks sweet. I've seen the videos and stuff from when it was just new research, but to know its going to be finally available to the public is awesome.
    • GregR, on 10/11/2007, -21/+13"This thing looks amazing."

      Sure but it's a canned demo - let's see it in real life use.
    • Balanced, on 10/11/2007, -3/+9What is a press release other than a "cheap marketing tool?"
  • mgkwho, on 11/11/2007, -62/+31This isn't designed for home use and is costly.

    Funny, in the video MacRumors links to from PM http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4217348.html Microsoft claims it's the first of it's kind. But Apple and Jeff Han come to mind in that strong statement. The video includes an interview from Han about his own touchscreen technology.

    I guess it's special in how it interacts with the different objects.

    -=|Mgkwho
    • venom8599, on 10/11/2007, -2/+77Even if it's expensive, it's a step in a good direction. It's about time someone really jumped into such technology, to pave the way for the future of it. The sooner we work out the kinks and actually adopting this kind of thing the better. Over time it'll get cheaper as technology improves and manufacturing costs come down, and then things like this will be in the home and office.
    • postaboy, on 10/11/2007, -6/+49Surface has been in development for five years
    • grogan, on 10/11/2007, -11/+78I played a game on this TWO YEARS ago. This is not in any way a copy of the iPhone technology.
    • SwabTheDeck, on 10/11/2007, -16/+3The detection of objects is different from the other demonstrations I've seen, but it seems really easy to implement. A combination of Bluetooth and RFID could easily make this possible, and both technologies are cheap, open and widely available. However, it's been rumored, and seems fairly likely that multitouch screens for Macs are going to be announced at WWDC in a few days. Maybe MS just thought they'd sneak in at the last second with an announcement of a product that doesn't seem to be fully implemented in any way as of yet.
    • frem001, on 10/11/2007, -11/+3"Surface has been in development for five years"

      yes but a lot of the polish came in after the iphone and Jeff Han's work. Nice product but it's not an option for regular consumers, while the iphone is.
    • rompom7, on 10/11/2007, -0/+24@frem001: I'm pretty sure Jeff Han has been working with Microsoft a lot before the iPhone was even conceived.

      Why are people saying Apple have something to do with touch screen innovation? Apple has stayed WELL AWAY from touch screens since, well, the Newton. Whereas Microsoft has been working with touch screens for a lot longer. They put a touch screen in the iPhone, but that could hardly be called an innovation (touch screens in portable devices has been around for a long time, a multi-touch screen was the next logical choice).

      Apple bought out FingerWorks at the last moment, didn't provide any funding or research. Microsoft have been working on multi-touch screen research for 6 years.
  • barbazoid, on 11/11/2007, -5/+59Hmm, it may be something that we've all seen before, but at least by having microsoft market it means that we may actually see this technology relatively soon rather than drool over it for a few weeks and then watch it disappear.
    • strax, on 10/11/2007, -35/+10Either digg is being astroturfed by microsoft or a lot of people didn't google for more details. This thing requires SEVERAL infrared cameras to be placed throughout a room in order to see what is on the table top. Cool idea, but it is not a self-contained multitouch platform, it needs external cameras. See popular science video of this at http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4217348.html
    • LoveTheCoast, on 10/11/2007, -5/+18Those aren't external cameras -- all the recognition devices are built into the table.
    • bking, on 10/11/2007, -15/+2I was really, really impressed until I saw that video.

      Now I'm kicked down to 'pretty impressed.' I'm a sucker for futuristic *****.
    • jhshukla, on 10/11/2007, -2/+8it isn't designed for home use anyways. it is geared for 5-star hotels and corporate meetings. may be some fancy clubs at airports could make use of it. all those places have money and audience for the gadget.
    • SuchADigger, on 10/11/2007, -5/+27"Either digg is being astroturfed by microsoft or a lot of people didn't google for more details. This thing requires SEVERAL infrared cameras to be placed throughout a room in order to see what is on the table top. Cool idea, but it is not a self-contained multitouch platform, it needs external cameras. See popular science video of this at http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4217348.html"

      Pause the video and look again at the diagram they show. The infra-red cameras are **in** the table looking up at the surface from the bottom. This is much the same way that Jeff Han's surface works. The devices being placed on the table are not being detected "on sight", but via WIFI or Bluetooth connections that become active when the device is placed on the table.
    • MOGua, on 10/11/2007, -2/+13@strax

      Why do you say that you need infrared cameras around the room? At 1:48 in the video you linked to, you can clearly see the infrared cameras are actually built-in to the table itself.
    • GenericNumber1, on 10/11/2007, -2/+10@strax
      I think you're definitely jumping the gun there with that video, it shows infrared cameras IN the table and it doesn't say anything about "around the room" as you said. Watch the video again and I think you'll agree.

      Edit: Someone beat me to it, in fact multiple people beat me to it.
    • mabhatter, on 10/11/2007, -24/+4first, it doesn't look like Han's work because it's clearly not multi-touch.. all the actors were very careful to only use 1 finger contact at a time...and it looks like it's on a plasma or LCD screen under glass. It looks like an evolution of tablet PC, not so much something new.

      That said, Unless it's sold as a truly open DEVICE and not "magic table" from a dozen vendors plus software license, it's not going to do well. For controlled apps (like stores, restaurants, hotels) it will make a mark, but for the living room it just won't do. Microsoft will spend to much time trying to "monetize their intellectual property resources" before the cat is out of the bag. As opposed to Apple that may try to lock down like hell, but doesn't really care because it's hard to separate their software from their hardware... that's where the money and business stability is at. None of the examples would "interfere" with Microsoft's core products, and THAT is the problem. That was my problem with Tablet PC.. they never took Office in the direction of true "paperless" that it needed to go because it would kill the franchise. Or how abot Mira wireless devices that cost MORE than a comparable laptop and did less!! Because MS wasn't able to offer up the killer app that bested it's own work, nobody else would set up. I see the same thing here. Nice features, really neat, but not enough cool to spring what's going to be way over priced.

      This new critter tied to MS home server and Xbox 360/Zune could replace the PC as the digital hub. But many apps would have to be reworked, games rewritten, etc. The Zune idea of 30 Gig of personal stuff you carry around could be cool. You could edit with a real keyboard along side the surface or use tools as they showed. I can't see Microsoft "betting the farm" on a very new tech, and in the current tech field they'd never get their 95% market share again... the consumer won't allow it.
    • dawgma, on 10/11/2007, -2/+28@mabhatter

      First, if you're going to mention how you carefully noticed how the actors were very careful about using one finger at a time, then maybe you should watch the video a little more carefully next time.

      There area many fingers all over the screen! In fact one of the VERY FIRST SCENES shows a girl painting with all her fingers. Also, there are multiple scenes where more than one person is touching the screen at the same time with more than one hand! This is a fantastic multi-touch screen.

      Honestly... you must have completely blocked this information out and made up your own reality... you just couldn't believe Microsoft has delivered this.

      Secondly... well I just don't care about whatever else you wrote...
    • dawgma, on 10/11/2007, -4/+13@mabhatter

      Oh, I found a video for you about Microsoft Surface featuring an interview with... gasp! Jeff Han.

      http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4217348.html

      Watch *carefully* though... I'm afraid you might confuse him for Steve Jobs.
  • holtzdoggy, on 11/11/2007, -21/+5The picture of the Surface as a coffee table is my dream.. Think of this with IPTV Spanktravision.. FAP FAP FAP!
  • verticalQ, on 11/11/2007, -32/+9Is anyone else thinking about how badly their back would hurt if you were hunched over this thing for any amount of time? I mean, yeah, it's kinda cool, but....

    Also, what happens when you spill a drink on this thing?

    I was impressed at first, but then I realized it's really just a super-expensive (probably...I'd be shocked if it's less than $5,000) gadget that doesn't do anything really new. It just does old stuff in a kinda-cool manner, and I can save some cash and just do everything the lame way.
    • MioTheGreat, on 11/11/2007, -1/+43It's a rear projection system, so I'm assuming it's even capable of being used outside (Glare aside, of course), and being made weatherproof. It should be very drink proof.
    • NicksVideo, on 11/11/2007, -3/+28Again, it's not really designed for home use. It's more of a Hotel Lobby/Internet Cafe/Modernized Restaurant kind of product.
    • Goner, on 11/11/2007, -10/+10after your stroke, you can be suspended above it with your arms hanging over it.. You can happily continue to purchase products via internet until your credit cards max out or you finally kick the bucket...
  • kxhoopshooter, on 11/11/2007, -81/+6great, the gates vs jobs showdown turned into a table versus phone showdown
    • venom8599, on 11/11/2007, -33/+260Personally this is way more impressive than an overblown cell phone.
    • SwabTheDeck, on 10/11/2007, -40/+10@venom8599

      I tend to disagree. It's no secret that people are spending less and less time sitting at home using any sort of desktop computing device. Laptops now outsell desktops by a significant margin and there are now over 1 billion cell phone users in the world. Unless the pendulum decides to swing the other way, mobile technology is going to appeal to a larger group of people than a home or desktop device.
    • venom8599, on 10/11/2007, -7/+51@swabthedeck
      More popular != more impressive. I was speaking from a technical standpoint. The iPhone has never struck me as that impressive, because it's ultimately just a pricey phone with a slightly novel interface for a phone, but not for other mobile devices. The Surface is much more impressive technically, especially in it's interaction with real objects--which is actually innovative--in the same way as the Wii. That is to say it's innovative in the real sense and not just the 'using innovation as a buzzword' way.
  • corporalclegg24, on 11/11/2007, -131/+15apple will make somethin better
    • todfather, on 10/11/2007, -66/+278"apple will make somethin better"

      No, it will be the same thing in white, but you'll buy it anyway, mindless sheep... baa baa
    • KielKilla, on 10/11/2007, -35/+3nvm
    • flashboy131, on 10/11/2007, -6/+80you know I like my iMac, but the online apple fanboyism is getting pretty annoying.
    • dinkola, on 10/11/2007, -20/+3They already have, its called the iPhone and it fits in your pocket. You can do most of the stuff advertised.
    • johimself, on 10/11/2007, -2/+15You realise you are comparing a table to a phone right?

      In the same vein allow me to diss the MacBook because it doesn't keep my food and drink cold like my fridge does.

      Seriously if this was white and came with a personal recommendation from Steve Jobs you guys would be creaming yourselves. Especially if you had to pay an extra 10% of the price to get it in black.
  • DPimp1262, on 11/11/2007, -79/+21Wow as usual Microsoft is at the pinical of design technology and original thought by..........copying stuff that already existed. When microsoft gets an original useful idea is the day the world ends.
  • MioTheGreat, on 11/11/2007, -16/+320Allright. These comments mostly suck.

    This thing has amazing potential. The restaurant table demo alone looked freaking awesome.
    • elmasri, on 10/11/2007, -9/+74I agree, I'm getting tired of the bashing. Why can't we all coexist happily ? At work I happily use java/solaris, at home I have a macbook pro, and by god If I want to buy an expensive digial coffe table, I will do it, This is a great product, if you look at the history page you'll notice it's been 6 years in the making.

      Microsoft: You have done well!
    • mikew101, on 10/11/2007, -7/+11I agree. I wonder how they would get the table to read credit cards like in the movie. The phones at least probably are communicating with wifi or bluetooth, but the credit cards? And how great would it be to place your card on the table have it pull up your bills you need to pay, and have them all payed online in an instant from anywhere.
    • cha0sth30ry, on 10/11/2007, -15/+9I'm thinking the same thing: amazing... but then that's the same thing I was thinking when I saw the commercial for Origami.
      In my opinion, unless MS closely oversees the hardware manufacturing like they do for Xbox and Zune (ie no 3rd party); the real world version of Surface will be:
      1) missing key features from the commercial (and generally be substandard in quality),
      2) a lot buggier than what people should tolerate, and
      3) too expensive for even most techies to even consider buying
    • HerrEisenheim, on 10/11/2007, -17/+18This has had potential since it was first invented. It's not new, and Microsoft didn't invent it. This kind of thing has been around for a while. Recently it's gained more steam because it's become easier to use, lower cost, and more accurate. Microsoft is just trying to market it and capitalize on it.

      The thing is, as cool as it looks, its applications are limited. Putting this kind of tech into a table isn't such a hot idea. I'd rather see it applied to an existing LCD screen and combine its functionality with an existing mouse and keyboard, or Wiimote, or something like that. If you are actually going to *do* something with this other than just play around on it, it's going to be quite a strain on your neck.

      The only neat application I can think of is that this would be a cool interface for an RTS or turn-based strategy game.

      There are a lot of really neat technologies out there, but making them useful or actually "enhancing" any kind of experience is a whole different ball game.
    • phaed, on 10/11/2007, -5/+13"I wonder how they would get the table to read credit cards like in the movie"

      Im guessing its either rfid chips in the creditcards or the table will be able to read teh numbers printed on them when u put them face down.
    • apolloandi, on 10/11/2007, -3/+17i cant even imagine what music composition would be like on this thing:
      writing automation on the fly with your fingers, bringing multiple channels up and down with both hands, and even though im not a fan of virtual keyboards, it would be damn convenient.
      being able to just drag and drop samples for djs, volume control by resizing windows...i suppose the list goes on an on
      if this will let me visualize music in a new way i dont care who came up with the idea first. if microsoft can make it work, ill buy it.
    • thatsmyaibo, on 10/11/2007, -8/+2You know they already have restaurants like that right?

      http://beta.uwink.com/

      Went there last weekend actually.
    • bitcloud, on 10/11/2007, -6/+7you think THIS is bashing.. you should just wait until MS comes out with their livemaps with 3d photosynth.. it is (assuming MS beurocracy doesn't quash it) going to blow google maps out of the water
    • Nok1, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3@mikew101

      someone beat me to answering you - with RFID chips, or the "paypass" feature of some cards (that's not RFID, is it?)

      If they go all out, I suppose they could even implement technology to actually "swipe" your magnetic card
    • MioTheGreat, on 10/11/2007, -2/+3"The only neat application I can think of is that this would be a cool interface for an RTS or turn-based strategy game."

      Wasn't that an Atlantis episode?

      http://www.stargatecaps.com/sga/s3/315/html/thegame0643.html
  • tacojohn, on 11/11/2007, -27/+9this thing is pretty sweet.

    Now lets just get apple to build the technology into the 24" iMac and redeisgn that little guy into a more "touch" friendly design...
  • mntbikeracer1, on 11/11/2007, -27/+11All I can say is wow. Microsoft once again proved they aren't going anywhere.
  • caffeinated, on 11/11/2007, -5/+70Everyone always talks about how personal computers are still in their infancy ... this actually sounds like the step beyond keyboard+mouse and into "everyday life". If nothing else, I can finally make my own version of the minority report.
  • curbcheck, on 11/11/2007, -21/+124Minority Report did it better.
    • elcaminos, on 10/11/2007, -4/+23I was just thinking about that. I'd rather have something that recognizes my hand movements in the air than a screen thats going to get dirty and covered with fingerprints. Thats why I don't like the iphone, the screen will be gross from touching it and holding it up to your face.
    • omgomgomg, on 10/11/2007, -4/+35BREAKING: The Department of Precrime is suing Microsoft for 235 patent infringements!

      Microsoft spokesman responds: "show us the code, FUD jerks!"
    • azurepalm, on 10/11/2007, -4/+2one step at a time dude. ;)
      3d holographic projection without needing to use special goggles to see is currently being developed and i am really exited for it. i think there's a prototype already

      http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8686602725183307983&q=holographic+projection
    • ICSU, on 10/11/2007, -5/+3@elcaminos
      That's the wii remote.

      ...and wash your hands.
    • Gudlyf, on 10/11/2007, -5/+3Yep, that's one huge scratch protector pad you'd need. I can't even begin to think of how scummy that thing wold get just after a week of people dragging their greasy fingers all over it.
    • morphedparadox, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3Those screens like the ones in minority report were supposed to be coming out years ago. There was a lot of videos on teh interwebs involving two web cams mounted on to of your screen to calculate the position of your fingers. Was ace, you could close your first and word would close.

      Apple Fans, please look around at all the research being done in universities and stuff. Most of the innovations microsoft and apple "invent" come from researches in these universities.
  • mongrel, on 11/11/2007, -29/+187Finally, a table that can steal my credit card number. And potentially everything else in my wallet.
    • MikeDugg, on 11/11/2007, -22/+5lol
    • krusader3z, on 11/11/2007, -20/+3I lol'd at your comment mongrel
    • SPECOPS, on 11/11/2007, -12/+76The $6/hr paid waiter/waitress is more secure? I'd rather have a "table" know my card number, than an underpaid human any day.
    • Crashwithuhk, on 11/11/2007, -14/+7Simple solution if that's your worry: Don't put your CC or any contents of your wallet on the damn thing.

      Look at that. Problem solved.
    • bobmcsmith, on 11/11/2007, -4/+24"Simple solution if that's your worry: Don't put your CC or any contents of your wallet on the damn thing."

      There's the flaw with your plan...its a simple solution...we don't like those here :)
    • warrenchin, on 10/11/2007, -8/+1Yes, the future is going to be amazing. Doesn't matter it is MS-Surface or iSurface, i want one in my living room, and my work desk. Waitaminute... it's already stealing my credit card numbers...
    • eclectro, on 10/11/2007, -8/+3"Finally, a table that can steal my credit card number. And potentially everything else in my wallet."

      And then you get the blue screen.
  • Mystikal, on 10/11/2007, -63/+8This wont be out for a good 5+ years.
    • forumz, on 10/11/2007, -2/+86"... the first Microsoft Surface units won't hit the market until Winter 2007"
    • Banichi, on 10/11/2007, -5/+35Did you look at the site? The first 30'' table model will be available in the winter. This isn't a new technology Microsoft is just the first to bring it to market at a consumer level.

      I'm curious to see what Jeff Han has to say as he's been showing this technology off for some time now.
    • DeathRay2K, on 10/11/2007, -5/+12You realise that they plan to release this for this winter!
      This is huge! Yeah the concept has been around for a long time, but now there's a good chance it will be available by the end of the year!

      Edit: Heh, both of you beat me to it. :P
    • inkswamp, on 10/11/2007, -25/+8I honestly can't believe how many of you buy into this. It's almost amusing. This is a standard move. MS is about to be upstaged by a competitor so they have to show off some Great New Thing promo that is wildly better to throw people off and make them uncertain about buying that competing product. Meanwhile, expect that release date to slip once or maybe... hmm... three times... and maybe all those features are not necessary so we'll just trim those back a tad... yeah, people won't mind.

      I'll believe it when I see a live, working demo. Until then, it's MS Vaporware 07--yet another on the long list.
    • foxymcfox, on 10/11/2007, -23/+5When was Vista supposed to be released again?
    • LoveTheCoast, on 10/11/2007, -2/+13Good grief people - can you read?! They even say on the Surface website you can visit a public showing of it in June!
  • Shorties, on 11/11/2007, -38/+8I really like how you add things to a music playlist, but man I dont see this going anywhere for at least 10-15 years. Expensive restaurants will probably jump up at the opportunity to enhance their experiences but I dont see a reason someone would need this in their home no matter how cool it looks.
    • caffeinated, on 11/11/2007, -6/+55Do you "need" HDTV?
    • Banichi, on 10/11/2007, -5/+13Eh? I want one today. I'm sure the first model of this will be ungodly expensive but if I had the money I'd buy it in the second. I'm sure I'm not alone.
    • darkphan, on 10/11/2007, -22/+3@caffeinated:

      Actually we (in the US) do "need" HDTV, or atleast DTV, for use after February 17, 2009, when TV stations cease to broadcast analog channels.
    • hdtvdust, on 10/11/2007, -5/+16shorties circa 1985 - "I really don't see why anyone would need a personal computer in their homes in the next for the next 101-5 years.)
    • caffeinated, on 10/11/2007, -8/+7@darkphan

      Sure, but you get where I'm going ... people (read: Americans) are always one-up'ing each other no matter the practicality or necessity.
    • thesauce, on 10/11/2007, -1/+8Restaurants don't need those fancy touchscreens they use now to ring up food. Why the hell are they using those overpriced gizmos?!

      /sarcasm
    • Gizza, on 10/11/2007, -2/+9@darkphan (#6930426)
      Actually, no, you still wont NEED a HDTV, just a digital receiver. You can just buy digital set top boxes, will still work fine with your 20 year old TV.
  • fieldDigg, on 11/11/2007, -29/+7nevermind me. digg me down..
  • tophtucker, on 11/11/2007, -5/+10I think that much of the potential here lies in whether Microsoft can branch out and make it applicable in more ways than, y'know, as a ridiculously high-end restaurant table. I've seen demos of MSR stuff along these lines where the people interacting with the table aren't even in the same room, it's just done online, and the table syncs for both of them. And another where they had a bunch of plastic ramps, and the setup would scan the ramps in 3D, real-time, and project a virtual racecar onto them, driving around and jumping off the ramps, while at the same time displaying it like a videogame on a TV. Think "custom map editor using real-world props." You lose some flexibility, but it's way easier to do the simple stuff.

    I'd also like to see *giant* MS Surfaces. Wait, I have seen one, at the Sony Metreon in San Francisco and elsewhere. But who knows, this could probably take the concept a lot further.
    • tophtucker, on 10/11/2007, -3/+2Ah, here it is:
      http://on10.net/Blogs/laura/techfest-07-playanywhere-meets-playtogether/

      A bit glitchy for now, but pretty cool, and I can see that working its way into a Surface revision somewhere down the road...
    • kernelhappy, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2These are going to be silly expensive at first, and the whole coffee table thing would be a poor product application now given the initial price. I would imagine that the first productive implementations will resemble drafting tables for work that would benefit from a fluid work flow.

      So the question is, what market is going to be the first to implement these. I can totally see communication companies guying these things for their fancy war/command rooms (they already spend silly amounts of money on minimally useful setups). Maybe monitoring for manufacturing could make good use of this or even production companies for concerts and stage presentations.

      Any other ideas for viable initial implementations?
  • inkhead, on 11/11/2007, -133/+12Kinda like how it's already in the iPhone for $500 ;-) AND GASP HAS A REAL USE!!!

    sweet, to bad apple owns all the patents on it. Lots of companies have been doing this. Microsoft just announced a product that will be available for $10,000 with no pre-build software, or readymade use.

    Apple will announce by the end of the year the same technology, but working with applications, like it already does in it's Leopard OS.

    Kinda like how it's already in the iPhone for $500 ;-) AND GASP HAS A REAL USE!!!

    Goodbye Microsoft.
    • Kerjo, on 10/11/2007, -18/+55Hahahaha, jealous much?
    • HUKI365, on 10/11/2007, -34/+10Very pertinent comment. I believe Leopard will take care of this technology and we will see new iMacs similar to this design to take advantage.

      HOWEVER:

      Like the Xbox, I believe Microsoft guts to do it right. In fact even though I dislike Apple, I think it is better for Microsoft that Apple release a competitor. Otherwise there is no need to develop this technology.

      I think in twenty years people will laugh at how they though the Playstation had killed the game console, the iPod the MP3 player, and Windows the operating system.

      People will have the xbox 720 and Wii 2, the touch ZunePhone and their MS Surface running Unbuntu.

      Killer apps don't exist. Name a single company with a device that has cornered the market. Three I can think of: Walkman, iPod and Playstation.

      Two of those three have been superseded.
    • xL0Sx, on 10/11/2007, -7/+32If Apple has had this coming down the pipes for a while, why don't they bring it to market?

      Why don't they beat everyone else to the store shelves for once?

      Apple always come to market with a well put together and functional device that does one thing well, but they are always a day late and a dollar short, and charge a huge premium for it (Miss 3G or Third Party Support Much?). They also, until lately, gave you no sideways room to do some of the simple things that are sometimes a given. But release a fixer app 2 months later to address a problem that should have been fixed at product launch, and you're god's gift to the user.

      I have an iPod and I'll buy it over a Zune, but don't kid yourself. The Zune reached a little farther and tried a little harder, even if it was mistakenly so.

      I'm sick of people who will write something off just because it's not "iPod chic". If only in concept, this does make you stop and think of the possibilities.

      Have some imagination.
    • Elranzer, on 10/11/2007, -8/+36@inkhead:

      "Kinda like how it's already in the iPhone for $500 ;-)"

      You mean touchscreen technology, something the pre-dates the iPhone, and even the Newton?

      "AND GASP HAS A REAL USE!!!"

      Wait, are you suggesting that the iPhone is *not* the most impractical phone ever designed?

      "sweet, to bad apple owns all the patents on it."

      Show us the patents! FUD

      "Lots of companies have been doing this."

      Yeah, companies other than Apple, too. Before Apple. Apple doesn't own any touchscreen patents.

      "Microsoft just announced a product that will be available for $10,000"

      I'm so relieved to finally know the price. I couldn't find it anywhere on the site...

      "with no pre-build software, or readymade use."

      Yeah, I'm sure this is true too.

      "Apple will announce by the end of the year the same technology,"

      Amazing, we have a psychic in the house. I'll bet it will be white, and missing one button (for "simplicity").

      "but working with applications,"

      Because we all know Apple products have more available applications for them, right...

      "like it already does in it's Leopard OS."

      Yeah, cuz Leopard isn't just Tiger with Time Machine and bunch of features they "borrowed" from Linux (Spaces???)

      "Kinda like how it's already in the iPhone for $500 ;-) AND GASP HAS A REAL USE!!!"

      If you say it one more time, it might come true.

      "Goodbye Microsoft."

      Yeah, I know. Right after Mac OS takes over Windows as the popular operating system out there.

      Is it 1997 again??
    • codmate, on 10/11/2007, -3/+16Why is it that 0.01% of MS users bash Apple in Apple-related items, but 99% of Apple users bash MS in MS related stories?
    • bradleyland, on 10/11/2007, -3/+9"AND GASP HAS A REAL USE!!!"

      Dude! You just spit on me. Calm down.
    • SirBotchness, on 10/11/2007, -3/+6another ***** sucker for the block feature!

      Learn some goddamn facts before you type your nerd rants.
    • modelcadet, on 10/11/2007, -1/+6why do 1% of MS users bash Apple, and 99% of Apple users bash MS? Maybe... it's because MS users have JOBS (pun unintended).
    • Soulhuntre, on 10/11/2007, -1/+9"why do 1% of MS users bash Apple, and 99% of Apple users bash MS"

      Becaise a lot of Apple users have invested their identity in somehow feeling like rebels and "non sheep". They have to bash MS constantly or they lose that loving feeling they get from convincing themselves they are special.


      Linux zealots, I'm looking at you too.
    • geekee, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4@inkhead

      Apple didn't invent the touchscreen, dumbass. I've been using touchscreen technology on lab equipment for over a decade.
  • mattnyc99, on 10/11/2007, -3/+22SWEET VIDEO of Surface, plus behind-the-scenes access at Microsoft and commentary (and MORE video) from Jeff Han here: http://www.popularmechanics.com/surfacecomputing
  • Ozon, on 10/11/2007, -3/+9http://cs.nyu.edu/~jhan/ftirtouch/
  • kayson, on 10/11/2007, -36/+16More copied technology...

    This was presented a year ago at TED:
    http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/65
    • trunkster, on 10/11/2007, -17/+6Exactly, but that is nothing new for Microsoft. Actually that is nothing new for any big corporate company. Hopefully they patent the technology or made some good dough selling it to Microsoft.
    • GoingToShibuya, on 10/11/2007, -18/+3There we go! I was thinking either NextFest or TED, I always get confused. But I digress. When I saw pictures of the product and the lay out of it. It reminded me exactly of the presentation at TED.
    • coldphoenix, on 10/11/2007, -7/+24Oh c'mon, Gates has been hinting at this sort of idea and technology FOREVER...I guarantee Microsoft has had this technology in the works for years too, maybe they have actually learned from their mistakes in the past and actually want to properly make sure their product is as flawless as humanly possible before they unveil it to the public.
    • postaboy, on 10/11/2007, -5/+23It was presented last year but how long has it been in development? According to MS their Surface program has been in development for 5 years and it's only now that they have presented it. So who's copying who? Unless you provide details on your claim, your argument is null.
    • mrASSMAN, on 10/11/2007, -5/+17It's not "copied", it's advancing previous ideas. I'm sure Microsoft was involved with those presentations as they usually are. The guys at TED weren't the first ones with that concept, I can assure you.

      And I agree with coldphoenix.. this has been one of the goals of Bill Gates for decades. He has always talked about new ways of interaction and Microsofts extensive research in these types of technologies.. they even displayed this type of thing in their mockup "future homes".
    • JeffH, on 10/11/2007, -3/+11It's not the same. Whereas the highlight of that is multitouch technology, the highlight of Surface is that it intereacts with objects other than hands. Calling the surface "stolen technology" is like calling any PDA the same. PDAs aren't just ripoffs of the first touchscreens, because they use the touchscreen in a different way.
    • DeathRay2K, on 10/11/2007, -5/+20Microsoft has been actively working on this since 2001...
    • syukton, on 10/11/2007, -7/+13This isn't copied technology. If Ford makes a four-door sedan and then Chevrolet makes a four-door sedan, do we say they copied technology? No, we don't. Moreover, this may appear to be "copied" from Jeff Han because this is the first *public* mention you've seen of it, but it's been in the works for years, much longer than Jeff Han's multi-touch videos have been floating around. The sensing and recognition system is not copied from anyone and was 100% created in-house by Microsoft and it's backed by all their own technology.
    • hdtvdust, on 10/11/2007, -5/+23PRESENTED A YEAR AGO! Wow! And in that time Microsoft developed this?

      What the ***** are you thinking? For it to be announced now, it was under development for WELL over a year.
    • nreisan, on 10/11/2007, -4/+11did you even read the site?

      they have been working on it for 5 years

    • galaad2, on 10/11/2007, -15/+4another Jefferson Han video, this time at TED 2007:
      the capabilities have evolved a long way since the 2006 presentation, this time the screen is vertical and so large that multiple people can have their own space on the same multi-touch display.

      http://vpod.tv/loiclemeur/135867


      Microsoft totally copied this one, booooo
  • natjo1986, on 11/11/2007, -14/+14if this is handled wrong this could be wind up on one of those dumb top 10 lists of failed products
  • TrainingName, on 10/11/2007, -21/+8Knowing Microsoft, that's just GOT to be original.
  • TehBoofed, on 10/11/2007, -15/+5House, car, or.....table?
  • majikphat, on 10/11/2007, -14/+4It's the future in table form!
  • thebrokenlight, on 10/11/2007, -11/+5Careful not to spill your drink...
  • DeathAngel0125, on 10/11/2007, -24/+7This is just a marketing plug for another crappy Microsoft product. Buried as spam.
  • speedyrev, on 10/11/2007, -11/+6Ummm, looks like it's pretty much a specialty item. Hope you would only need to use it for a few minutes at a time, otherwise have a chiropractor standing by.
  • akirksey, on 10/11/2007, -14/+9/me wonders how many security problems this will have.
  • elpipetuanis, on 11/11/2007, -9/+48That is actually way cool, way to go microsoft.
    • Xilon, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1I did not expect this for MS... Really great. Let's just hope it's not as faulty as their other products.
  • chuckpenzone, on 11/11/2007, -5/+18I think this looks like bad ass technology from any company who provides the right developer tools and initial software, however, I don't see computing on a daily basis as being an improvement over the good old mouse (once the wow factors wares off this won't be practical). I do see this making sense for some niche applications though.

    Definitely a landmark patent case brewing though - probably involving several companies.
    • wharpua, on 10/11/2007, -3/+1The timing of this hitting the web on the night before/day of the public interview between Steve Jobs and Bill Gates makes me wonder how testy the conversation might get.

      In Jobs' iPhone keynote back in January, he did say that they patented the iPhone technologies up the wazoo, and that Apple "intended to protect them."

      Curious if things get heated tonight over this.
  • mishsquish, on 10/11/2007, -10/+2Defcon, anyone?
  • postophaguser, on 10/11/2007, -20/+2You know what? Dugg DOWN for "BREAKING".
  • Matic, on 11/11/2007, -3/+87Splitting the check 5 ways at the dinner table was frickin' awesome!
  • thisguy47, on 10/11/2007, -11/+3xbox 720?
  • orbanj, on 10/11/2007, -5/+10wow i thought this would be another parody like the ipod flea... microsoft pulled a fast one
  • D4N747, on 10/11/2007, -4/+32Actually, this is pretty interesting. Not to say we haven't seen videos of things like this before, but none of those involved something to be mass-produced. Kudos to Microsoft, they seem to be going in the right direction with this. I'd love to see a live demo.

    My only hope is that they don't go massively overpricing this if it is to come out someday.

    p.s. To those people saying "iPhone bla bla bla," You can't exactly put an iPhone on a table and expect the four other people in your family to sit there and watch you do stuff on that small screen. This is designed for one purpose just as the iPhone is designed for a different purpose.
    • betobeto, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3This is going to change our experience with computers dramatically, like nothing done with computers before. Today it's just little more than a touchscreen coffee table, but I'm sure technology in the few, forthcoming years will push this kind of experience to heights and uses we can barely imagine now. It may take 10 or 15 years to become commonplace, but I'm quite sure it will happen.

      And Apple fanboys, for once, could exercise their right to shut the F up. (Disclaimer: I own three Macs).
  • emt41, on 10/11/2007, -18/+7I actually don't have a comment about this story...I just wanted to say that those snorg t-shirt girls are gorgeous.
    • InfamousAtheist, on 10/11/2007, -7/+2@emt,

      Same comment, different thread.

      Thank you for the block button, digg.
  • NiGHTSChao, on 10/11/2007, -15/+54ZOMG BUT MICROSOFT COPIED NINTENDO AND APPLE ON TOUCH SCREEN-NESS!!!!1!!!111!1111!

    /sarcasm
  • EzarKun, on 10/11/2007, -10/+1were they really interacting with that screen?
  • cogitocogito, on 10/11/2007, -7/+6Clicking on "Find It" yields "While the first Microsoft Surface units won't hit the market until Winter 2007, over the coming months you'll have the opportunity to..."

    Looks like there was a bit of delay in shipping and a some laziness in updating the launch web site.
  • Jhorra, on 10/11/2007, -5/+9That's just sick. I just want to know how far into the future they mean in the videos. I want that functionality now!
  • zeptobyte, on 10/11/2007, -10/+12This looks very nice. Of course, since it's Microsoft it must be a worthless technology that's never going anywhere. Of course, to the Apple fanboy, this is the same thing as a touch-screen laptop, right? But if this were Apple, it would be the beginning of a new era.
    • gypsie, on 10/11/2007, -16/+2Here is the difference. When Apple releases something it is not some future pie in the sky. It is something you will be able to use right now. By the time Microsoft makes it real iPhone probably will BECOME your credit card.
    • mustard, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2@gypsie:

      Like the iPhone, yeah? I totally agree. I'm using mine right now and it's tota.... WAITAMINUTE!
    • noahhoward, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1Hi Mr. Troll, eaten any goats lately? FYI I'm an Apple fanboy and think this is awesome, it isn't new, but it is a much better execution of an old idea.
  • VanD, on 11/11/2007, -5/+56The future is going to be amazing.
    • changyang1230, on 10/11/2007, -4/+12"Marty McFly, YOU'RE FIRED!" is now possible while you are enjoying your dinner on the "surface" table.
    • CapeKid, on 10/11/2007, -6/+3@VanD
      Tell that to our robot overlords.
  • InvisibleMan, on 10/11/2007, -4/+19Yep just like the iPhone..... wait how is this even remotely like a phone?

    This is cool because its going to actually be made and sold, it is not just some pipe dream. Even if it costs $5,000, people will still buy it and eventually the cost will go down. From the Wii to Surface updating the interface between man and machine is the big think in technology this year (the Wii was November last year but you get the idea). Which is good because I am tired of still using 1970s Xerox PARC technology :)

    Now if I can just get fusion power and a flying car the 21st century will finally start to feel like the 21st century we were all promised in the early 90s.
    • mabhatter, on 10/11/2007, -8/+1Actually with the high price it won't get good adoption, that's why Nintendo opted to spend all their development time on Wiimote and not graphics.. and get the units out for less than the other guys. Tech is fundamentally changed now. Nobody cares about $600 graphics cards and $1500 processors... or $4500 TVs. People want the tech that's affordable. The price in the popular mechanics was $5000-$10000!!! that's MUCH too high. Anything over $1500 won't see good adoption. This is a clever toy and Microsoft is hedging it's bet against Apple, not really trying to change the market. Look what Wii's done in 6 months. What iPhone is going to do in 6 months. This isn't even shipping yet... then they might get the price down for mortals.... It's an over powered, expensive PC doing far less productive work than my machine right now.

      This is more of the almost cool from microsoft... it's not BIG. It's not going to threaten their Wintel Homogeny. The last time Microsoft did BIG they blew 5 Billion dollars by throwing wads of money and high tech around. I like what they're doing but it's not practical, or cost effective. In 1 year it will be a very expensive niche toy like all the others.
    • EdwardsNH, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2Actually, $5000 is about what I figured it would cost. Basically, it's a very large touchscreen (multitouch) monitor, that can handle wi-fi.

      There will probably come in business and home models, and the home model will eventually come down to a $5000 price tag.
    • noahhoward, on 10/11/2007, -4/+1"wait how is this even remotely like a phone?

      This is cool because its going to actually be made and sold, it is not just some pipe dream. "

      Umm... the iPhone is... oh never mind there's no point in explaining it.
    • InvisibleMan, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3To clarify, I don't mean the iPhone is going to be a pipe dream (Just that surface is not a pipe dream) or that the iPhone is not going to be a great product. Actually I think the iPhone will own the smart phone market, but comparing a super cool smart phone to a table top computer because they both have multi-point screens is ridiculous. Instead of hating it because hating Microsoft is cool, simple think how cool it would be to put your iPhone down on this thing and have it automatically sync and display all your info in a similar multi-touch environment.
      Imagine a world without a terrestrial bound mouse, were you computer stops simulating 3D and starts interacting in it. That is the future, its not here, but thanks to Surface, the iPhone, the Wii, and others its just a little closer.
  • mrASSMAN, on 11/11/2007, -4/+36Wow.. Microsoft actually delivered. Very cool, I'd like to see this in the future for sure. Props to MS for looking ahead and advancing our interaction with technology.

    Man I'm going to get so buried to hell for this.. Apple is great too! I like all innovators, I swear!
    • Hunabku, on 10/11/2007, -8/+1Well they haven't really delivered anything - yes they have demonstrated that they actually can envision some cool apps (FINALLY). The biggest thing here for me is the device integration - sharing media between phones, music players, cameras, etc. But it doesn't mean anything unless microsoft has some patents here or they clobber others out of the market like they do with other standards.

      Does anyone know if MS have some patents related to multitouch and device interface?
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