Microsoft Launches New Product Category - Surface Computing

Today, well ok, Last night sometime, Microsoft launched a new product category called "Surface Computing".  The technology  which has been on display in the Digital Home of the Future at Microsoft campus is now being productized and sold to customers specifically targeting the service industry initially, but I believe will have far reaching implications over time. 

This technology was originally called "Touchlight" and some other in Microsoft Research then was under the Project "Milan" codename.

Current partners include Harrah's Entertainment Starwood Hotels and Resorts, and T-Mobile targeting an array of customer oriented tasks such as concierge services, food and drink orders. Priced at 5,000 to 10,000 dollars a piece I don't think they would shell out that kind of money unless they could translate it to fewer staff and if they replace just one individual per location they could probably have a number of these devices around the lobby.

What makes Surface Computing special?

This is a new way to interact with digital information. Here are some of keys to the technology:

·         Direct interaction. Users can actually “grab” digital information with their hands and interact with content by touch and gesture, without the use of a mouse or keyboard.

·         Multi-touch contact. Surface computing recognizes many points of contact simultaneously, not just from one finger, as with a typical touch screen, but up to dozens and dozens of items at once.

·         Multi-user experience. The horizontal form factor makes it easy for several people to gather around surface computers together, providing a collaborative, face-to-face computing experience.

·         Object recognition. Users can place physical objects on the surface to trigger different types of digital responses, including the transfer of digital content.

 Timing..

According to the Surface site the first devices won't be hitting the Winter of 2007, but you can check out some devices at hosted events coming up, details at the site. At the 5-10k dollars its not something you will find in living rooms at the outset, but I could see this technology making into any number of consumer devices, Zune even?

Via Robert I found a link to Microsoft Surface in action at Popular Mechanics really worth checking out..this is cool stuff!

Long has a link to the Surface wallpaper and a conspiracy theory about a Milan Zune coming in November, if true that would be sweet, will it be a Flash based Zune Phone with Multi-point.....hmmmm an exclusive deal with T-mobile and priced to beat the iPhone out of the market? who knows...

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