Announced: Microsoft Surface

vibrokatana said:
old concept, I would rather see holographic projectors and thermoptic touch sensors.
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they do have holographic projectors whose images u can even manipulate...... but this is actually a tech being commericialized and would be nice to have
 
This concept has been around for decades, sure. But, it has never really been used outside of the military or other specialized projects... certainly never in consumer's hands, which is why Microsoft is doing this.
 
Remember the scene from Aliens when they were looking over the schematics for the Terra-form facility trying to seal off all the entrances so the xenomorphs couldn't get to them?

They mostly come at night....mostly.
 
That looks like some really cool technology! BUT I would much rather have a holographic projector. If I was rich, I'd definitely pick Surfaces up and make it into a neat coffee table.
 
nothing new here. the iphone has this as well and i have seen it on touch screens form 10 years ago. This is another attempt by MS to get tablets to finally make money instead of loose it..:)
 
Nobody is saying this is a new concept to begin with. I was saying before that this is something that regular consumers haven't really had the chance to get their hands on (no pun intended). Heck, I haven't seen a whole lot of this technology before today, and Microsoft just happens to be the one commercializing it first (at least for wide-release).

Yeah, Microsoft Surface and iPhone are similar, but they are used for completely different purposes and situations. Case in point: you probably don't want to carry around a 30-inch diagonal table with you. :p (Tablets are only good for certain situations as well.)

BTW, I'm not directing this post to you, HCS -- I'm just throwing my thoughts out there for general consumption.


EDIT: Reality called; wanted self-awareness back.
 
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It's a nifty idea, but it looks more like microsoft is trying to proprietorize the entire thing and try to keep competition from coming in. That and it will be slower to use then my mouse (and require a higher maintenance and cost) so I will likely not buy this thing for some time to come (even if it was available today)
 
SirThom, you're a beast.

I saw a video somewhere with Gates showing off his creation. It was pretty cool. It would be amazing at restaurants and lots of fun to play with! And it looks so mac-ish too!
 
Looks neat, but, I don't know how functional that would actually be.

1. If I continually touched my screen it would get rather dirty which kind of negates any ease you would get from it. Remember how greasy Pac-man games would get just from having people touch them. Although there are touch screens you don't have to touch (just get near) I don't think those would go untouched either.
2. I don't think a mouse on it would function well for many applications, games etc. Small movements are easier and quicker to do.
3. I think the pen keyboard is cooler. Search You Tube for "virtual keyboard" . It still looks like it has problems with bright light though so it's not exactly practical :( . I'm waiting for them to come up with a ring that houses a computer, projects a keyboard AND projects a color screen too :D

Given the price the touch screen will cost (even with the price drop in 3 to 5 years according to the wiki) and it's limited applications it will probably be the exclusive province of commercial applications and those who are rich and want to show off. Anyway I do think it looks neat, but, I don't think it is practical.
 
vibrokatana said:
It's a nifty idea, but it looks more like microsoft is trying to proprietorize the entire thing and try to keep competition from coming in. That and it will be slower to use then my mouse (and require a higher maintenance and cost) so I will likely not buy this thing for some time to come (even if it was available today)
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You have a point. That and it would be useful for Real Time Strategy, but First Person Shooters... I mean, come on.
 
ChickenSoup said:
You have a point. That and it would be useful for Real Time Strategy, but First Person Shooters... I mean, come on.
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I watched a Youtube video of a similar technology used to play Warcraft III. It was interesting, but definitely slowed an unexperienced player down.
 
I have to say, this is a rather nifty technology.

When you stop and think about it, isn't it absurd that we're still using primitive devices like keyboards and mice (mouses?) to operate computers?
 
Tek7 said:
When you stop and think about it, isn't it absurd that we're still using primitive devices like keyboards and mice (mouses?) to operate computers?
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Um, no... :p lol I love mah keyboard. Although thought-powered technology has always been on my want-someone-to-develop technology. Just stick your head in like an electromagnetic thing that looks like those hair-curlers they have at hair dressers.
 
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