Return of the Table (w/ Touch)Microsoft’s vision of Surface Computing
Interface is a hot topic in conversations related to the future of technology. The vision is often a world of technologies with more intuitive interfaces that create a more ‘human’ experience for the user.
Go deeper and the vision is to break down the barrier between the physical and digital (virtual) world- setting us up for the ‘Post PC’ and ‘Post Mobile’ device computing era known as ‘Ubiquitious Computing‘ (where nearly all objects on the network.)
Explaining that vision of ubiquitous computing is the next step for tech evangelists. But today, their job just got a little easier…
Today is the official ‘Return of the Table’ -
and believe or not - it is Microsoft, not Apple, leading the way!
Video clips of advanced touch screens have been spreading all over the blogosphere for many months. The first wave started nearly two years ago around Jeff Han’s (NYU) work with multitouch screens (See TED Video clip) and now around his newly formed company Pixel Perspetive. Touch screens are nothing new. HP and IBM have their own touch table systems- but none have really taken a serious step forward in the mainstream media. And Microsoft is a powerful force when it comes to software development.
Today, Microsoft has released three videos of its ‘Surface’ computing platform. It is now being demonstrated at D: All Things Digital conference (Sponsored by the Wall Street Journal) and by the end of the week millions of people (via the Web) will see a new version of the ‘touch screen’ table.
The difference is timing and commerical feasibility. This is no longer a technology interface limited to special effects of Hollywood (i.e. Minority Report)– we are going to start seeing commercial applications.
Yes, the table is bulky and priced for commercial clients (retail, entertainment, restaurants, etc.) But give Microsoft, Apple, HP, IBM, Sony, (et al) two or three years and these systems could begin to appear in everyday places like our homes, schools and offices.
Just imagine school kids sitting around a table ‘together’ rather than behind their own individuals desktop PC.
Better days ahead…
[Again - video is being disrupted by Terahertz computing, OLEDs, etc. - See my previous post)
Check out these videos…
Microsoft – Teaser commercial
“… a new bridge to the digital world”
Microsoft Surface- ‘The Magic’
Microsoft Surface- ‘The Possibilities’
“… a thinner line between the virtual and physical world”