New Computing Platform

Hi Guys,

Check this link out
www.microsoft.com/surface/

I first saw demos of this technology about 12 months ago...didn't actual expect Microsoft to be the first to offer a commercial product.

Looks cool, but still runs Vista.....

R

Hmm, I'm not too sure - I prefer my coffee table not to be running an OS at all. Then again the 'capability to recognise objects placed on the surface and take appropriate action' sounds good. Wonder If I could get it to refill my tea mug?
Seriously though, do you think the thing has any practical application?

Hmm, I'm not too sure - I prefer my coffee table not to be running an OS at all. Then again the 'capability to recognise objects placed on the surface and take appropriate action' sounds good. Wonder If I could get it to refill my tea mug?
Seriously though, do you think the thing has any practical application?

hehe -- "prefer my coffee table not to be running an OS"...

A coworker of mine actually showed me this and the price of the thing is $10,000..

Sometimes its not about if there will be an immediate (or somewhat immediate) implementation of the technology, sometimes its about inventing for the sake of inventing......to show the world that they are still on top of things, innovating, being competitive, "leading the future," blah blah....if you think about it.......I saw an article that Microsoft also invented colored barcodes, but that wasn't the typical style, it was an arrangement of little dimonds on a paper.

K

Its interesting, certainly, but as I said I'm not sure it has much practical application. For a different take on this, have a look at the robotic desk lamp at techtv.mit.edu/file/139 - now there's something I reckon people might buy

Now that lamp is cool!

The Surface seem to have practical application, it looks more like one of those "whatever" things that just seem to be helpful. Probably big casinos would be the first to implement them, since they could easily use them for card games and whatnot.

Either way, Microsoft would have to push really hard to get others to develop their products to be able to work with the Surface.

The Lamp - I want one

The surface, I saw an article on it recently. I think, in "the future" it will have many practical applications. Definately, in bar/restaurants I can see this speeding up the ordering/serving times, no longer will you have to wait for the Waiter(ess) to come to your table. You can simply sit down, order your meal etc and wait for it to arrive. Further into the future, it could be used for "automatic" houses etc.

So, yes, I do think that with a bit or work and imaginative selling it will work.