Steve Ballmer on Microsoft Surface at All Things Digitial

[robbyx]

just about anything!!!!

Video conferencing, document collaboration, working on a building plan by yourself and with others, video editing, photo editing, making music and editing the music. Doing and visualizing math problems, stats, charts, graphs, wow I can go on and on.

Add voice response and recognition and you can also trow away the keyboard and mouse.

Remember when you were a kid, use that imagination to interact in a different way.

It's a TABLE! Where's the keyboard? How are you going to collaborate on a document? By straining your neck and staring down onto a table? How do you input data? A virtual keyboard?

Video conferencing? Give me a break! Again, a table is the WORST design for such an application.

So maybe they mount it vertically. Great, a touch screen. This is nothing new. It looks great. The UI is slick. The concept of placing physical objects on the table and then interacting with them is also very cool. But, again, nothing new. What's the difference between dragging a photo to an icon on your desktop versus a big icon on the table?

I give M$ credit for the wow factor. They did a good job with the presentation. But when it comes to features, I don't see this as anything special.

 

[Marky_Mark]

Is Ballmer imagining Steve's neck between his grasping hands?

I hate that shrieking freak of a man. He's absolutely barking mad. There's no justice in this world that he's that rich.

 

[Porchland]

Mossberg also asks "if Microsoft will stick with Zune, given the seemingly impossible task of catching up to Apple’s iPod", to which Ballmer stated "We're firmly behind Zune." Meanwhile, Ballmer denies that Microsoft will ever develop a Phone.

Ick, how embarrassing!

"Uh, Zune? Yeah, we're sticking with that. Phone? Um, we, uh, no."

Actually, I'm pretty impressed by the demo of Surface. The applications for it Microsoft dreamed up for it on the web site are actually pretty interesting, but I'm not sure how you dumb it down enough to make it usable in a kiosk setting without it just being another touch display. And then there's cost.

It's a lot to get right, but it looks at least interesting at this point.

WTG, you old dinosaur! For today anyway.

 

[twoodcc]

i just don't like some of ballmer's comments

 

[Espoir07]

I don't know if it's already been mentioned, but, using that table all day - isn't that going to kill your back and/or neck?

 

[RojoLeo]

I don't know if it's already been mentioned, but, using that table all day - isn't that going to kill your back and/or neck?

As of right now, that's not its purpose. It's meant to be used in commercial environments, for brief periods of time, by the clients.

I haven't read through all the comments here, so maybe it's already been brought up, but doesn't this remind anyone else of Minority Report?

Wicked awesome. I think this is the next logical step in computing.

And, how can anyone even begin to compare this to the iPhone? Seriously, WTF? Because it has multitouch? Why not compare it to OSX because it has icons?

This is revolutionary, and far more than just a touchscreen.

 

[EagerDragon]

It's a TABLE! Where's the keyboard? How are you going to collaborate on a document? By straining your neck and staring down onto a table? How do you input data? A virtual keyboard?

Video conferencing? Give me a break! Again, a table is the WORST design for such an application.

So maybe they mount it vertically. Great, a touch screen. This is nothing new. It looks great. The UI is slick. The concept of placing physical objects on the table and then interacting with them is also very cool. But, again, nothing new. What's the difference between dragging a photo to an icon on your desktop versus a big icon on the table?

I give M$ credit for the wow factor. They did a good job with the presentation. But when it comes to features, I don't see this as anything special.

Visual is a single factor, angle it the way you like it, it is a surface (not speaking of the actual table), hang it on the wall if you like, angle it like a drafting board, add speech, talk with your remote and local partners. Have them draw remotely on your board, forget the keyboard, talk point, interact.

 

[EagerDragon]

I don't know if it's already been mentioned, but, using that table all day - isn't that going to kill your back and/or neck?

MS made it a table but it does not have to be. Apple would make it a surface that can be angled or mounted for example on the wall. Drafters will angle it so it is familiar with the way they normaly work.

While MS makes it a table, Apple would make it practical.

 

[eto]

featured video posted.

 

[bredlo]

Ballmer stated "We're firmly behind Zune."

...and the Zune is firmly behind the iPod.

 

[~Shard~]

Wicked awesome. I think this is the next logical step in computing.

And, how can anyone even begin to compare this to the iPhone? Seriously, WTF? Because it has multitouch? Why not compare it to OSX because it has icons?

This is revolutionary, and far more than just a touchscreen.

Yeah, but the majority of people here have probably seen the prototypes, footage and so forth of this technology for the past year, if not longer - otherwise, where have you been lately?! No one should really be blown away by this. Yes it's cool but it doesn't differ much form Apple's multi-touch demo from over a year ago... The technology exists, and yes, is very cool and will ultimately be revolutionary, but it's not like Microsoft came out of nowhere with this approach and application.

 

[weitzner]

From what I understand, this is a complete system from MS, like the Xbox, or Zune. I don't think they're taking the PC/OS approach on this one.

Now after kinda defending MS on that, I am kinda jarred that they did this. I'm don't know exactly what Apple has patented on the multi touch dillio, but from what I understand, the gestures used IS patented by Apple, and from the MS video, they use the same gestures to do the same things...

But after reading all the comments, and reading all those rumors of touch screen displays across the range for Apple, I feel a little better about it all

Perhaps I misunderstood. I thought this was a prototype that was developed to demo the software. Kind of like when intel builds a laptop. It seems to me that if M$ is going to build this, then they should start building their own PCs too. I guess time will tell...

 

[~Shard~]

...and Zune is firmly behind iPod.

Ballmer stated "We're firmly behind Zune."

...and the Zune is firmly behind the iPod.

Sorry man, check Page One - you were totally beaten to the punch on that one. Better luck next time.

 

[RojoLeo]

Yeah, but the majority of people here have probably seen the prototypes, footage and so forth of this technology for the past year, if not longer - otherwise, where have you been lately?! No one should really be blown away by this. Yes it's cool but it doesn't differ much form Apple's multi-touch demo from over a year ago... The technology exists, and yes, is very cool and will ultimately be revolutionary, but it's not like Microsoft came out of nowhere with this approach and application.

Really? Well color me red with embarrassment. Please provide links to where this technology was demoed before as I find it extremely interesting.

 

[~Shard~]

Really? Well color me red with embarrassment. Please provide links to where this technology was demoed before as I find it extremely interesting.

No need to apologize, not everyone can stay up on all the latest technologies all the time.

Check this out - it was from February 2006 I believe, over a year ago now...

 

[72930]

No need to apologize, not everyone can stay up on all the latest technologies all the time.

Check this out - it was from February 2006 I believe, over a year ago now...

This is much better...but later on...

 

[neildmitchell]

Waca Waca Waca...I can't help but think it looks like a PacMan machine!!!

LOL! Thats what I was thinking!
Id wait till Apple released a table and then, I would use it only as a Classic Video Game console. Pac Man, Donkey Kong, Burger time...That would be sweet!

MS made it a table but it does not have to be. Apple would make it a surface that can be angled or mounted for example on the wall. Drafters will angle it so it is familiar with the way they normaly work.

While MS makes it a table, Apple would make it practical.

Great mids do think alike. I was thinking that the technology would be great for drafters and artists if it angled like a drawing board too. Digital art would truely come of age.

Think Different
(MS makes it a table, Apple would make it practical.)

 

[neildmitchell]

At first I thought Ballmer reminded me of Ed Asner, but that is an insult to Ed.

The my friend thought, Young Frankenstein....maybe a little

Gollum seems more fitting, in my opinion

 

[ajhill]

New PC vs Mac Commercial for Surface!!!

Okay Here's the new PC v Mac Tv ad

Interior white room, PC is seated at his new Surface coffee table computer. Mac walks in. MAC is wearing sunglasses, Hawaiian shirt, swimsuit. On his arm is JESSICA ALBA wearing a killer bikini.

MAC: "Hey PC, whatcha doing?"

PC: "Oh hey Mac, I'm just using my new Surface computer. You wanna see it work?"

MAC: "Oh...Sorry PC, JESSICA and I are headed for the beach. You wanna join us?"

PC: "I wish I could by I have to wait for these pictures to finish downloading over Bluetooth."

MAC: (Holding up his new iPhone) Okay, we'll be at the beach. I'm taking my new iPhone so you can send me an email if you change your mind. Later!"

PC: Ooooh, Hey you wanna see my new Surface tropical beach screensaver?"
MAC? MAC? Where'd he go? Maybe I could get an extension cord....

CUT TO APPLE INC. LOGO



Well....

What would your new Mac/PC commerical be like?

 

[elgruga]

I assume that someone has already stated what a pile of CRAP this is.
I DONT want to 'inter-act' with a frickin coffee table.

Ballmer really is a complete idiot.

This has almost no purpose, except for maybe Kiosk type applications where you need info in a hotel or tourist place or something.

And they already have - well, Kiosks doing that.

Somebody close Microsoft down and hand the cash back to the shareholders, and would the last idiot there please turn off the lights? Thanks.

For those of you who think this is somehow 'new' or 'special' - you need help.

 

[mlrproducts]

ANOTHER APPLE THEFT!!!

No, no.....

Not the tech, but the NAME! "Surface?" I mean, that is something Apple would have called it.

 

[pieman02]

Plenty, from graphic design to your standard interface with your GUI. Imagine no keyboard or mouse, only your fingertips. Need a keyboard? tap on the keyboard icon and one appears on the screen to type on. Point and tap to open files ... this will open a whole new world of computer interaction.

This technology is fantastic (although I hate the idea of MS making $ off of it) and this is the way the world is going, ultimately. Just watch Minority Report ... it's not that far off.

If it is true that this isn't pressure-sensitive multitouch, but instead just infrared or something, a button-less keyboard would not be nearly as impressive as it is on the iPhone.

Did you see when he was drawrind the "D" how far the line was behind his finger...seems kinda laggy for a tap-on-the-screen-mouse IMO

 

[MacGuffin]

Holeee beans, Mrs. Heinz!

At last, thanks to Microsoft's visionaries, you'll be able to play Air Hockey everywhere.

 

[Marky_Mark]

Okay Here's the new PC v Mac Tv ad

Interior white room, PC is seated at his new Surface coffee table computer. Mac walks in. MAC is wearing sunglasses, Hawaiian shirt, swimsuit. On his arm is JESSICA ALBA wearing a killer bikini.

MAC: "Hey PC, whatcha doing?"

PC: "Oh hey Mac, I'm just using my new Surface computer. You wanna see it work?"

MAC: "Oh...Sorry PC, JESSICA and I are headed for the beach. You wanna join us?"

PC: "I wish I could by I have to wait for these pictures to finish downloading over Bluetooth."

MAC: (Holding up his new iPhone) Okay, we'll be at the beach. I'm taking my new iPhone so you can send me an email if you change your mind. Later!"

PC: Ooooh, Hey you wanna see my new Surface tropical beach screensaver?"
MAC? MAC? Where'd he go? Maybe I could get an extension cord....

CUT TO APPLE INC. LOGO

This is fantastic! I only wish I'd thought of it first..!

 

[hulugu]

I hate to disagree, but I will. As a graphic designer, I could use this RIGHT NOW if it were implemented properly.

I suppose practicality is in the eye of the beholder. This same argument was made against 8-core Macs before they came out ... just look at the MacRumors thread! Now they're here, everyone is drooling over them, and lo! people have a use for them!

The idea is really cool, but will MS be able to drop the cost down to make it something you'd actually buy and use. Right now its a $10,000 light-table, but with the right software and seemless integration with other devices this could rock. I think this is different from 8-core Macs, which are just an upgrade to a known concept, the desktop PC, Microsoft's Surface requires a new way (maybe using old ways) to deal with our data and thus its usefulness hinges on the integration, something that frankly Microsoft's never been particularly good at.
With the exception of the Xbox, I can't think of a MS application or device that didn't need a good kicking to get online.

I love the idea though.