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Touchscreen Microsoft Surface Table Checks Into Sheraton Hotels

by Paul Miller, posted Aug 13th 2008 at 11:15AM

Alright, Microsoft: we take it all back. It was wrong, just wrong of us to impugn your promotional filmmaking skills. That Bruce Springsteen parody? Spot on. Awkward Vegas flirtations? True pathos. And now, to promote the launch of your latest version of the Surface table for Sheraton Hotels, you've crafted the touching story of a curious kid, a smug photo-twirler, her tardy date and a loving asian family. We don't want to spoil anything, but complications ensue, folks, and this is one nail-biter worthy of a sequel. Do they all end up going to dinner together? Or are they destined to troll Craigslist that evening, seeking their missed connection...

You: Cute family.
Me: Sultry Surface spokeswoman.
My date was a disaster, and now I'm all alone for the weekend, let me teach you how to pair your phones with the table over Bluetooth, and then we can all go get ice cream together!

Heartbreaking, simply heartbreaking. Video is after the break.

Continue reading Touchscreen Microsoft Surface Table Checks Into Sheraton Hotels

Microsoft Multi-Touch 'Sphere' Surfaces in Redmond

by Thomas Ricker, posted Jul 29th 2008 at 6:09PM

There it is, right on cue Microsoft's Surface has gone spherical over at Microsoft Research. Rumored since March, the prototype relies upon an infrared system to detect hands, fingers, and objects as well as an internal (not external like Surface) projection system developed by Global Imagination (and customized by Microsoft) to deliver its multi-touch UI.

At the moment, Microsoft is demonstrating photo manipulation, a spinning globe, 360-degree video, and a simple Pong-like game, the latter giving us a taste of future gaming possibilities. Sphere is expected to make its first public appearance Tuesday at Microsoft's Faculty Summit in Redmond. Ultimately, it will appear in public spaces like lobbies as part of a larger ecosystem of Surface gear. The prototype UI looks a bit jumpy compared to its tabletop cousin -- hit the read link to see the video for yourself. [Source: seattlepi]

Video: Microsoft's Surface Coming to Vegas

by Thomas Ricker, posted Jun 12th 2008 at 9:46AM

See all those beautiful people? You don't know them. And pushing your specs up the bridge of your nose while seated in front of Microsoft's Surface won't change that. Nevertheless, next time we're adjusting our gadget-laden fanny packs in Vegas, we'll be doing so at the i-Bar in the Rio hotel -- the newest home to Microsoft's big ass multi-touch table. Check out the video cheese after the break. [Source: Microsoft]

Continue reading Video: Microsoft's Surface Coming to Vegas

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

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

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

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Touchscreen Microsoft Surface Table Checks Into Sheraton Hotels

Microsoft Multi-Touch 'Sphere' Surfaces in Redmond

Video: Microsoft's Surface Coming to Vegas

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

Gallery: AT&T and Microsoft Surface

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

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

Microsoft Unveils Surface Tabletop Computer

Gallery: Surface

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