Microsoft Launches Multitouch Surface Computing

[puckhead193]

i can see this in bar, hotels etcc like other have said, but i don't think it will change the way human use computers...
it will end up in trendy hotels and bars

 

[PodPacker]

Wow?

I wish I would've gone to bed. I'm too tired to come up with a smart remark, so I'll leave you all with this:

Be sure you clear out those naughty bedroom pics before putting your camera down on one of these.

Way to go Bill, something we didn't know we wanted and thankfully can't afford.

 

[Rot'nApple]

This is cool stuff. Some of you need to back it off just a bit. Who cares where it comes from, who they used, etc?

The iPhone will put this touch screen technology out to the masses/consumers quicker but it is good to see that the race is on in getting this to larger formats such as desktop computing.

Now I am waiting for Apples eventual salvo. But for now, I can applaud MS.

Waiting for Apple's eventual salvo... maybe it comes, maybe it doesn't. Remember, everyone kept harping on the Newton when Steve said the PDA is dead or at least not the direction where Apple would be going. But it did reincarnate into something similar aka iPhone years later. That's only because Steve saw the potential for entering a huge market and carving out their niche of the cell phone smart phone pie. If it weren't for that and suppose there was no iPhone, there'd be no new Newton/PDF either, because Steve wouldn't have it.

So again, maybe the salvo will come, maybe not, is all I'm saying.

 

[jaw04005]

Microsoft has a lot of futuristic ideas that never get implemented. Most of these ideas are displayed in their "digital home" at the Redmond campus, and that's where they stay.

It doesn't mean their ideas not "cool" per say, but I've been around long enough to realize the vast majority are not cost-effective, practical or live up to their original promise.

The end "consumer" product always turns out to be less than revolutionary (Media Center PC, Tablet PC, Smart Displays, Digital Picture Frames, etc).

In this case, Microsoft demoed the technology at CES as a consumer-oriented device. Then two-years later shipped an expensive, limited purpose device aimed at commercial vendors.

 

[mikeinternet]

this isn't 'good' or 'bad' news. it is not even news. multi-touchsreens with wireless? maybe the idea of cameras recognizing "non-tech" items is new... but what exactly was the computer going to do with that soda?

 

[dscottbuch]

Realism not cynicism

There is nothing new here, other than possibly a reasonable interface to some devices, this is why the negativity. MS doesn't seem to have added anything, any design thought, any product concept, etc. to Jeff Han's tech. They have once again bought something/cpied something, put their brand on it but without any enhancement, development or innovation.

What's new??

 

[law guy]

That's very cool

That's just fantastic technology. One of the neatest products to be brought to production by Microsoft in awhile. Thanks for the link MR - I've emailed it around to several friends that I think will enjoy it.

 

[HailToTheVictor]

CNET has a video also

 

[sminman]

So is this is the product that they where going to release tonight?

Who cares... It would have been cool if it was for consumers.

 

[kcmac]

Waiting for Apple's eventual salvo... maybe it comes, maybe it doesn't. Remember, everyone kept harping on the Newton when Steve said the PDA is dead or at least not the direction where Apple would be going. But it did reincarnate into something similar aka iPhone years later. That's only because Steve saw the potential for entering a huge market and carving out their niche of the cell phone smart phone pie. If it weren't for that and suppose there was no iPhone, there'd be no new Newton/PDF either, because Steve wouldn't have it.

So again, maybe the salvo will come, maybe not, is all I'm saying.

Apple is already putting some of this to use. I don't see how you can come to your conclusions. I had several Newtons, and the iPhone my friend, is no Newton. 🙂 😀

 

[CANEHDN]

Come on guys. You act like Apple is the original one to do this. Microsoft isn't and neither is Apple. Take it for what it is. This is quite impressive. Not bad Microsoft.

 

[samh004]

Where's my ability to edit, crop and do other stuff anyway. How about slideshows on the table of a stack of photos. Oh yeah, they developed this thing, but no real software and functionality behind it.

Well it's just a small video right now without many details behind it. Most people don't know much about the iPhone right now either.

They said it's based on Vista, so there will probably be some development going on, or already completed, that allows the kind of functionality you are looking for, however they can't please everyone in one little video.

And speaking of scratches.... imagine placing your metallic camera or phone on your expensive $10,000 display 😱 Now (since MS's unit is meant for public places) imagine hundreds of people doing so (though I'm not sure why they would).

You make a good point, perhaps they have added a scratch resistant layer on the surface to deal with that ?

 

[queshy]

those videos are super cool - it's kinda scary knowing what our future will look like! M$ is taking over the world lol

 

[stefman]

This technology seems similar to what's in the iPhone. Apple could come out with a reasonably priced consumer tablet next month if they wanted to.

 

[3D-Troll]

I'm still waiting for the killer app with these multi-touch screens. So far I have only seen them reorienting and zooming stuff (pictures, google earth). But how long before this gets old? Has anybody ever seen somebody actually doing stuff with it? It's cool for a demonstration, but right now it just seems like an expensive toy.

Steffen

 

[sbrownla]

Noooooo!!!

how boring. a big tablet...

i just have to say that multitouch was started on tablet PCs, not on the iPhone. people keep attributing multitouch to the iPhone which is not where it started.

thx.

 

[aricher]

I just finished watching the video. That is freaking cool. Especially when he takes a pic of his friend, puts the camera on the table, photo appears on table, he puts his phone on the table and drags the photo over to the phone, and then picks up the phone with the photo stored on it. That's pretty awesome..

Conspiracy theory #1 - Could it be smoke & mirrors like the first Macintosh keynote - a well rehearsed/synced video. "OK, now put the cell phone down on the X."

 

[Phormic]

I can't help but feel that what we're seeing here is more Segway like, technology in search of a product. It's undoubtedly very, very clever and will guarantee lots of "ooh's" and "aah's" but I'm struggling to think of any real or practical application for a mass market. Apple's multi-touch, on the other hand, takes similar technology and implements it to fulfil a practical technological problem.

What Microsoft has here is something they can maybe sell to hotels or airports to provide user information in the public sphere but I can't help but think it might end up in Las Vegas casinos, as a means of ordering overpriced cocktails in bars, while Apple sells iPhones by the truckload.

 

[Rot'nApple]

Aloha everyone,

Did anyone else notice how "Mac like" it appears in design? It appears that Micro$haft not only copies software, but hardware design as well.

HawaiiMacAddict

That's just MS creating products but using a different logo aka Zune or X-box 360 or this magic table, which didn't have the feel of Vista or the Window's logo plastered somewhere.

I guess MS is hoping things like this will sell better if people don't think it came from MS and you have to upload a SP-1 patch etc.

In fact, I went to MS website earlier today, er yesterday and from it's homepage and all the other links found on the homepage, I found none that led you off to the Zune or Zune Marketplace or if it's there, it's not easy to spot. Is not MS proud of their attempt at the iPodkillerwannabe? At least with Apple's site, BAM, link easy to spot, itms icon right in the dock...

 

[ezekielrage_99]

I can't see how a product designed for consumers that wont be bought by consumers will succeed.

I think Bill Gates has been watching Minority Report again.... atleast they didn't take any security "eyedeas" from Demolition Man😀

 

[dongmin]

The technology has a lot of potential. But what Microsoft has to do is not worry about any specific application but rather build a rigorous set of developer tools that lets others use their imagination and run with this stuff. Imagine what you could do by combining Multitouch (whoever's implementation) and Google Earth. Or with video games. Or with any kind of 3D model/space applications. Or interactive Powerpoint/Keynote.

It is very possible that some version of Multitouch will be a feature of Leopard (and Leopard developer tools) in which case Apple will have a head start in getting the developer community in on this technology.

One thing to remember is that this is not a real product, yet. For all we know, this product may not go beyond the 'proof of concept' stage. You can do a lot of cool things with tech demos, but bringing to mass market is a whole another animal. I'll withold judgement until I see an actual shipping product and a price tag to go along with it.

 

[mac17]

ok so now what did steve mean when he said by macworld "and boy have we patented it" (multi-touch) if microsoft has basicaly the same technology?😕

 

[kingofkolt]

Conspiracy theory #1 - Could it be smoke & mirrors like the first Macintosh keynote - a well rehearsed/synced video. "OK, now put the cell phone down on the X."

No.

 

[guifa]

Very interesting. Although it has no appeal to the mass market right now due to cost, this could be interesting when the prices come down enough to bring this "transferring" technology to the consumer level.

But, the multi-touch stuff is old hat. I wonder how much M$ had to pay Jeff Han for this...

I don't think they paid anything. The Popular Mechanics video features an interview with Han, but I think that's similar to showing a video about the graphical prowess of the PS3 and then having an XBox 360 rep saying "graphics are great" and the Wii guy saying "interaction is best". Different company, but just trying to give some context for the viewer. Han isn't in any clips with M$, and if it's his technology (or mainly his) you'd think he'd be demoing it.

The vid also states that companies like TMobile will be using it for display room stuff, but the Han markets to military etc.

 

[verniesgarden]

I wonder what will happen if you set an iPhone down on want of these??? will the world explode? or will they sprout arms and multitouch each other?