Skip to Content

Play PC games on your Mac? TUAW tests CrossOver
AOL Tech

Posts with tag surface

Hands-On: Microsoft Surface at the AT&T Store

by Thomas Houston, posted Apr 17th 2008 at 6:52PMBreaking News



AT&T and Microsoft debuted the much-talked-about Microsoft Surface today in five AT&T stores nationwide. We dropped by the New York premiere to check out the 30-inch touch-based tabletop computer.

This version of the Surface doesn't offer the breadth of features shown a year ago -- it only shows information on plans, AT&T's network, and a select group of phones. Still, we're thrilled to finally see a Surface in the wild. The device excels at letting users see and explore AT&T's network coverage on the responsive interactive map. Similar to the iPhone's map interface, the Surface's map lets you easily swipe and slide your way around the U.S., and you can select a 3G overlay to see where AT&T offers greater network speeds.

The Surface only works with eight phones -- more are coming soon -- but we liked the comparison feature. Place two phones on the Surface and windows will "slide" out of each phone with information comparing battery life, media features, size, and more. These windows, as well as most others that we came across while testing the Surface, can be easily resized, dragged, and launched across the workspace with a simple flip of the wrist.

AT&T's use of the Surface may draw customers in and improve the in-store shopping experience, but we're still waiting to see what the Surface can really do when pushed to its limits (e.g. file transfer between digital devices, music downloads, restaurant information). For now, check out our gallery of photos from the premiere below:

Gallery: AT&T and Microsoft Surface

Microsoft's Surface Computer Heading to AT&T Stores This Month

by Tim Stevens, posted Apr 3rd 2008 at 8:21AM

Microsoft's Surface Computer Heading to Retail This Month

It's been nearly a year since Microsoft wowed us with its Surface tabletop computer, a multi-touch display built into a cocktail table that had a number of crazy features. You could set your phone down on it and then, via Bluetooth, literally drag files to and from the thing, pulling your pics from the camera and showing them on the screen. It allowed some crazy interaction with digital mapping programs and even let you order more beer at the bar with just a few swipes of your finer. It was all conceptual, though, and with an anticipated price of roughly $5,000 to $10,000, the things were clearly not destined for the living room in the near-term. They are, however destined for a select few AT&T shops, starting later this month.

Unfortunately, the Surface units won't be for sale. The tables will be be used as a sort of informational kiosk surrounded by whichever phones AT&T is marketing at the time (probably not the iPhone). Shoppers will be able to pick up a certain model of phone, place it on the Surface, then pull up more information about it. They'll also be able to drag and drop media onto the device itself to see how it plays videos or songs and pull up maps of AT&T's coverage area. Unfortunately it's looking like you won't be able to interact with your own phones, just the demo models, but it should still be fun to play around.

Look for the Surface to show up at high-end AT&T stores New York City, Atlanta, San Antonio, and San Francisco beginning on April 17.

From Engadget

It's Not an iPhone, It's a Big Ass Table

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Jun 22nd 2007 at 11:24AM


Jealousy is a bitter fruit. The Sarcastic Gamer has decided that since he can't afford Microsoft's Surface, he'll just mock it. It's just a bit of comedy, but it should help all of those out there whose hearts are still all aflutter over the Surface.

We're just as guilty as any of feeding the hype, so it's good to be reminded every once in a while that, hey -- its just a really expensive computer in a big-ass table.

Now someone just needs to take the iPhone down a notch, cause even we're almost sick of hearing about it. The piece of plastic that it sits in even gets an article of its own.

From The Sarcastic Gamer

Related links:

Microsoft Unveils Surface Tabletop Computer

by Terrence O'Brien, posted May 30th 2007 at 8:11AM




After a few years of taking a beating from Apple on design and innovation, Microsoft is stealing a little of Steve Jobs's thunder. Just a few weeks ahead of the iPhone, Bill Gates (or, actually, Steve Ballmer) has unveiled Surface, Microsoft's new table top computer that features a big-screen version of the multi-touch technology used on, say, the iPhone.

But the similarity pretty much ends there. Microsoft's new Surface is a full-fledged coffee-table sized PC that is completely touch-sensitive, so users sitting around it can move and open files, video conference, watch movies, play games, and flip through photos -- together! CNET spent some time with some Surface software that lets you browse a menu, order items, split the bill, calculate the tip and pay -- all from the tabletop display

Where the Surface gets really interesting is when you add peripherals to the party.

Promotional videos from Microsoft show people dropping their Zunes on the tabletop computer. Surface recognizes that a Zune has been placed there and connects to it wirelessly. Users then use their fingers to drag albums and photos to their Zune. 'Popular Mechanics' also got an early-look at the Surface photo tools and multi-touch technology, which you can check out on this video.

Dropping a wireless-enabled digital camera on the table causes Surface to download the photos, spilling them out across the display as if a shoe box full of pictures was just emptied.

The videos also show several people interacting with the table at the same time. No more leaning over a friend's shoulder to watch and direct a slide show: If he or she passes by that great picture of Billy shooting milk out of his nose too fast, just grab it with your hand and look at it with out having to physically assault your pal to take control of the mouse.

Prices are expected to be between $5,000 and $10,000 when the units start shipping around the end of the year to commercial customers. At first, Surface will not be geared towards consumers, though Microsoft hopes that within three years the technology will be affordable enough for the home. T-Mobile, Harrah's Entertainment, and Starwood Hotels have partnered with Microsoft to use Surface as kiosks in retail outlets and lobbies.

With Surface, Microsoft seems to have made computing truly communal, taking the Web 2.0 ethos of social interaction through computers and moving it into the physical world.

From Microsoft.


Gallery: Surface




Related Links:


    AOL Tech Network



    Latest Reviews from CNET.com

    CNET provides the latest tech news, unbiased reviews, videos, podcasts, software, and downloads, making tech products easy to find, understand and use.

    Top Product Reviews

    Weblogs, Inc. Network

    AOL News

    Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in:

    Joystiq
    Download Squad
    The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
    BloggingStocks
    Xbox 360 Fanboy
    Autoblog