ZDNet is available in the following editions:
Sign up to ZDNet UK's daily newsletter.
The software giant has been showing off some of the applications of its interactive tabletop computer in London
This table-like device is Microsoft's Surface computer, which the company has been showing off in London.
It uses a 30-inch screen, several cameras, a Vista PC and a projector to create an interactive, touch-sensitive environment that reacts to objects coming into contact with its flat surface.
In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in.
You can also log in with Facebook. Log in or create your ZDNet UK account below
By signing up for this service, you indicate that you agree to our Terms and Conditions and have read and understood our Privacy Policy. Questions about membership? Find the answers in the Community FAQ
SHleG: Do you remember building a clockwork scorpion kit (I'm pretty sure I have a photo of it somewhere) — I think it was called something like...
10 minutes ago by songmaster on Software with everythingGood I love Yahoo! Their search engine is getting better than Google as of late. I find more of what I want on the first page, and usually within...
41 minutes ago by Chris Wortman via Facebook on Linux Mint 13 ramps up for KDE release openhgs has made the point for Windows 8 multiple monitors without realising it! With Windows 7 you have to switch the mouse and so your focus...
2 hours ago by PatrickG on Windows 8 could speed multi-monitor uptakeMozilla has threatened to stop supporting Linux. I guess that UBUNTU is going with another browser. I indicated that if Mozilla stops supporting...
4 hours ago by Leslie Satenstein via Facebook on Firefox rapid release improves Fedora LinuxMuch as I abhor Microsoft's licensing practices, this is almost certainly down to purchasing IT equipment via 3rd party consultants - you get the...
4 hours ago by Andy Bolstridge via Facebook on 6 million wasted licences and £1,200 PCs: welcome to government IT
@openhgs Windows users have had multiple desktops since Linus started writing Linux. They just haven't shipped as standard because not enough...
21 hours ago by Jack Schofield on Windows 8 could speed multi-monitor uptake @Phil at Cloud4 What, Microsoft gets £1,200 per PC and £1,622 per server? Gosh, I'm amazed....
21 hours ago by Jack Schofield on 6 million wasted licences and £1,200 PCs: welcome to government IT You guys have no idea what is going on at Autonomy. Autonomy could have been a much more profitable organization. The sales operations at Autonomy...
22 hours ago by craigsc on HP cuts 27,000 staff as Autonomy chief Lynch leaves
How does this impact on dual or multi booting? Seems to me to more or less prohibit this, from Windows 8 anyway. Will Grub 2 recognise Windows 8,...
22 hours ago by Moley on Windows 8 start-up speed forces USB boot workaround
I don't understand why there cannot be a slight pause during the boot process so the user can press a key. Many operating systems do this, even if...
24 hours ago by apexwm on Windows 8 start-up speed forces USB boot workaround You can now buy the Xi3 modular computer in the UK at http://www.ocdistribution.com . This can be bought with the Tand3m software, pricing and...
1 day ago by Gavin Goodman on CES 2012: Xi3 microSERV3R
I agree: Mike Lynch can clearly build a business and manage strategy. I suspect the exit of Mike is more likely the end of a planned handover...
1 day ago by Phil at Cloud4 on HP cuts 27,000 staff as Autonomy chief Lynch leaves This is unbeleivable government wastage with only one winner... Microsoft 1 - Tax payer Nil!
1 day ago by Phil at Cloud4 on 6 million wasted licences and £1,200 PCs: welcome to government IT So what do you do when you can't boot into windows? Why can't I just hold Shift while I power up instead of having to boot into windows and click a...
1 day ago by Mispam on Windows 8 start-up speed forces USB boot workaround I've also seen that Mac OS X for Intel machines is supposed to run in VirtualBox, which would also be a nice solution. I've never tried it though.
1 day ago by apexwm on xTreme Triple Booting: Linux, Mac & Windows What I wonder is why when companies are caught bang to rights in not providing contracted services, people bend over to smear the customers? Surely...
1 day ago by dave heasman on Virgin throttles broadband for high-speed customers Strange statement from HP regarding Mike Lynch and not capable of scaling a company. Autonomy was a $7bn purchase which started as a small company...
1 day ago by pjc158 on HP cuts 27,000 staff as Autonomy chief Lynch leaves Or - possibly, they will destroy business by ensuring people do not invest where there is no return. Another socialist idea, well beyond it's...
1 day ago by lojolondon on Open Data Institute will act as biz incubator
Good stuff Jake, very interesting. Thanks. jw
1 day ago by J.A. Watson on xTreme Triple Booting: Linux, Mac & Windows "the cost of a second LCD screen is about the same as one day of an office worker's time, so this should soon be recouped in extra productivity."...
1 day ago by openhgs on Windows 8 could speed multi-monitor uptake
This guide from Mimecast considers why email security is essential, who the major players are and their strengths and... Read more
Would you believe the first ever business computer totted up the price of cakes, bread and pies? You would if you knew it was operated by a British tea-shop company. Take a trip down computing memory lane with this guide to great British... Read more
Are you getting maximum performance out of your Exchange infrastructure? This white paper looks at seven key aspects of controlling an Exchange email... Read more
Front End Developer/Designer - Harrogate 26,000 - 33,000 My client based in Harrogate is seeking a...
Legal Service Desk Analyst / Technical Support Analyst / Support Analyst My client a Global Magic...
Fraud Consultant (Mobile Payments)A Fraud Consultant is required to assist with...
Talkback
I am always a sucker for something new and flashy - and while Surface might turn out to be another Microsoft hardware white elephant - it's heartening to some degree to see Redmond sticking its neck out slightly with something a bit wacky and blue-sky. Despite the best efforts to inject some hip back into Microsoft with the Zune - and more recently the Zune 2 - I think the more of these genuinely exciting technologies Microsoft can get behind the better. They have got money to burn and its better spent on this than on anti-competiton lawyers.
I don't like to criticise but this looks a lot like the ReacTable that was being used on Bjork's Glastonbury set. The actual technology of the man-machine interface is remarkably low tech. ReacTable has come from Barcelona Uni (I think) and is an open source project.
How many people are going to jump at the chance of owning one of these? An expensive item just to use as a coffee table or to accidentally throw your car-keys onto.
Even with a wifi system to interface with cameras and other gadgets i'm really struggling to see a use for it in the home, hotels maybe, labelled "the new and swanky information point".
I can't even look at the thing without thinking of the spoof video was out earlier this year http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZrr7AZ9nCY
“One day, your computer will be a big-as* table.”
Bill Gates gave an excellent demonstration of a practical application for a surface table at CES. It was used as the kitchen work surface.
When food packets where placed on it the table would show the ingredients/nutritional values etc. But also if you put multiple items it would show you a recipe for a meal you could create with those items.
With surface being so versatile it doesn't need to have one use. It can be educational/entertaining for small children who can better interact with the large touch friendly surface than with a keyboard and mouse. It can be practical such as the kitchen example. It can be creative with multiple artists working together on a design and hundreds of applications yet to be thought off.
I particular look forward to seeing them in restaurants as I have allergies. Being able to see the ingredients either by navigating the menu on the surface rather than the limited info on traditional paper menu's or being told the ingredients when food items are placed on the surface will save me from the usual long wait while the waitress goes and asks the chef.