Today Microsoft unveiled Surface, a new computer system in the form of a coffee table and a 30-inch touch screen allowing for complex interaction with users. Computers with touch screens are nothing new since such devices have been around for many years. The important innovations are the 5 build in cameras that observe the world (can be used to read bar codes on objects) and the haptic interface which allows it to respond to more than one touch at a time. The latter makes it possible for the user to do things such as finger painting. In addition, multiple users collaborating on a project could work simultaneously such as for example manipulating two different photographs at the same time. The new device will cost somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000 so initially it is not meant for home use. In fact, Surface will make its first appearance in T-mobile stores and properties owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. and Harrah's Entertainment Inc.
The best way to appreciate the system is to watch it in action. So, here is a demonstration video that I found on YouTube (there are many more videos there including Microsoft's promotional videos,)
I really like the planned restaurant application. If you have ever had the pleasure of going out with a large group of people, then you probably know how hard it is to split the bill at the end. The Surface computer will make such a task trivial since people will be able to order food and drinks, then split the bill by setting down a card or a room key and dragging their menu items onto the card.
The only thing I wonder about is how is Microsoft's technology related to Jeff Han's multi-touch screen. For those who don't know, Han founded Perceptive Pixel Inc. to commercialize a touch screen he developed at the NYU Courant Institude of Mathematical Sciences. Check out this video of him showing off his creation,
Microsoft's product is clearly similar and so I am wondering if they licensed the technology from Han's company or if the just copied it. Coming to think of it, Apple's upcoming iPhone will also be boasting very similar technology. So, either Han is going to be a very wealthy guy after today or just another story of how the big companies screwed the little guy. In time, we will know.
6 comments:
6:06 PM
I wrote an article on Perceptive Pixel a while back, and it seems that their multi-touch tech and the iPhone multi-touch are the same thing, both of which Apple own the patent for.
Still, Microsoft with their endless stacks of cash might have found a way to tip-toe around that patent.
10:12 AM
It is not that clear from the info posted about Surface, but I think that Microsoft uses the 5 cameras to track the user's fingers and all the other objects so they might just be using a different technology than Apple and Perceptive Pixel; I think the latter actually use a touch sensitive screen.
PS: Your new blog looks nice!
4:26 PM
Actually, I retract my previous statement. I re-did a reference check on whether PP and Apple used the same technologies, and couldn't find any trustworthy sources on it. They seem to be technically unrelated, but Jeff Chen has made some statements regarding the iPhone to make one scratch heads (just published an article on it if you're interested).
Thanks for the compliments! :)
3:21 AM
If you watch Microsoft's "Hands-on first look" video on popularmachines (http://www.brightcove.com/title.jsp?title=933742930), you'll see that Jeff Han was in it too.. so im sure Microsoft got the technology from him and worked this product out with him. There's no patent problems here I guess..
5:34 AM
Thanks for the link Zahasman! But to me it seems Jeff is only there to explain multitouch, at least there's no direct mention of him collaborating with MS.
1:59 PM
the only problem with this is that we have already done enough damage to our postures. Why be even more hunched over? If it goes vertical, i'm in.
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