I’m here at a Microsoft event where we’re getting into the nitty gritty details of Microsoft’s touch-screen table, Surface. If you want to see an earlier version in motion, check out Matt’s hands-on from CES where he makes a fool of himself. Meanwhile, we’ll be learning about what the thing is made up of, its parts and history (it used to be called… → Read More
Microsoft Surface debuted at Harrah’s in Las Vegas yesterday. The tables come with several programs that make throwing your money away all the more enjoyable. One such program, called Mixologists, lets gamblers create their own drink, which then presumably sends the order out to the bar. There’s also one to watch YouTube videos (oh, great), and one that lets people chat and flirt and… → Read More
Just the beginning… With all the talk of multi-touch, surface computing, and mobile technology, let’s think, for a moment, where we’re all headed. Given the fact that we are all gadget geeks and give the fact that most of us will use Windows until we’re old and gray, we need to start talking about future interfaces that might supplant the standard OS entirely, multi-touch… → Read More
Microsoft seems to think the future of the computer doesn’t lie in traditional keyboards but in gesture-based controls, such as those used on the iPhone and its own Surface device. And the next version of Windows, for now just called Windows 7 or Vienna, will have much touchscreen and gesture support built in. While we’re still a few years away from all having Surfaces in our homes… → Read More
Michael is at the D6 conference in Carlsbad, California where Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates are set to take the stage this opening night and preview the user interface of Microsoft’s next operating system, known as Windows 7. It is expected to be released in 2010 and to replace Vista. During the keynote, Corporate VP Julie Larson-Green demoed new multi-touch functionality based on the same… → Read More
On Thursday May 22, Microsoft will open up its Silicon Valley office to a select crowd. The agenda – Rick Rashid (SVP Global Research) and Roy Levin (Director Silicon Valley Lab) will show twelve new research projects, focusing on search, graphics, security, privacy. No word if they’ll be showing off TouchWall, but it’s worth trying to get in just in case they do. The event is on… → Read More
Mike had a chance yesterday to try out the new Microsoft TouchWall, which debuts at the CEO Summit today (more video at that second link). Watch the vid above to see how it responds to the touch of a new user. Not bad, I’d say, although it does get a bit jittery at times. It’s impressive that all of this is possible with just a few hundred dollars worth of off-the-shelf equipment (and… → Read More
Bill Gates will demo a new multi-touch computer and interface today called TouchWall at the Microsoft CEO Summit in Redmond. TouchWall refers to the touch screen hardware setup itself; the corresponding software to run TouchWall, which is built on a standard version of Vista, is called Plex. TouchWall and Plex are superficially similar to Microsoft Surface, a multi-touch table computer that was… → Read More
http://blip.tv/scripts/flash/showplayer.swf?enablejs=true&feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcrunchgear%2Eblip%2Etv%2Frss&file=http%3A%2F%2Fblip%2Etv%2Frss%2Fflash%2F800411&showplayerpath=http%3A%2F%2Fblip%2Etv%2Fscripts%2Fflash%2Fshowplayer%2Eswf AT&T is rolling out Microsoft’s Surface today. There are no new features other than what we saw at CTIA a few weeks back. It’s… → Read More
http://blip.tv/scripts/flash/showplayer.swf?enablejs=true&feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcrunchgear%2Eblip%2Etv%2Frss&file=http%3A%2F%2Fblip%2Etv%2Frss%2Fflash%2F800411&showplayerpath=http%3A%2F%2Fblip%2Etv%2Fscripts%2Fflash%2Fshowplayer%2Eswf This video is unedited, so my apologies for the inclusion of any unwanted extra footage, but I wanted to get it up ASAP. → Read More
Earlier this year at CES I got to spend some time with Microsoft’s Surface device, and I was impressed by what they’re doing. I’ll admit I went in with the attitude of “oh, touchscreen table, big deal”, but it’s far, far more than that. Earlier today we brought you news that Surface was going to start appearing in AT&T stores, perhaps as customer service… → Read More
And you thought the Surface was all hot air! Microsoft and AT&T have teamed up to place Surface computers in AT&T stores. By placing a phone on the machine, you can call up information and specifications for any phone in the store. We’re not yet sure if you can put your drinks on the Surface machines or order back rubs from store employees. These machines will have 30 inch screens… → Read More
Microsoft’s Surface computer will make its commercial debut April 17 in AT&T stores in New York City, Atlanta, San Antonio and San Francisco. Microsoft first unveiled the Surface back in May 2007; the coffee-table like computer allows touch screen interaction with various surfaces, can recognize objects places on it and even interact with things like mobile phones. AT&T said it… → Read More
[photopress:msftsursph.jpg,full,center] Microsoft may be redesigning the Surface in order to make it more appealing to consumers. Current rumors point to a sphere-shaped Surface, which may or may not have been making the rounds in Redmond’s rec rooms. Apparently the thinking is that the current table-top design of the Surface isn’t consumer friendly enough, never mind the fact that… → Read More
Matt was impressed by the Surface back at CES so I’m inclined to go along based on his judgement. The Sarcastic Gamer gets up close and personal with the Surface’s first game called Firefly. Check out the video and see what it’s all about. It looks really neat. → Read More
When our own intrepid reporter took on the Surface at CES, he came away completely convinced and eager to acquire one to use as his coffee table since his current one (and his dog) were ruined by a vengeful and intoxicated lady friend. Well, Microsoft really, really wants to make his dream a reality, not least because they could charge him like $15,000 for the privelege. At the moment… → Read More
Big surprise here. The wonderful “multitouch” interface used by the iPhone, iPod touch, and new MacBook Air is; A) not Apple’s invention, B) famous because of Apple, and C) will begin appearing in more and more devices. → Read More
http://progressive.playstream.com/playstream/progressive/flashplayers/FLVPlayer.swf Matt Hickey got a chance to sit down with the Microsoft Surface and discovered that it’s not just a bigass table. → Read More
http://progressive.playstream.com/playstream/progressive/flashplayers/FLVPlayer.swf Hey, look at this doodad. It’s similar to a near-field technology feature that Microsoft showed off a while ago with its Surface technology except this is from Sony. You basically drop your camera on top of that cube, which is actually a media storage device. The cube senses that your camera is there and… → Read More
Another year and another keynote speech at CES tops the headlines on Techmeme. The team over a CrunchGear did a good job under the circumstances live blogging Bill Gates and others from Microsoft as they spoke on stage, but it’s a speech no one is yet seriously telling the truth about. The Microsoft keynote at CES sucked. Sucked is not a word I usually throw around with glee abandon, but… → Read More
Microsoft had hoped to get its Surface technology up and running by the end of the year. It’s now not going to be ready until Spring of 2008, which doesn’t surprise me a bit. This has been happening a lot lately. Before you ask me if and why I hate Microsoft so much, let me tell you that I’m typing this using Microsoft software on a Windows Vista computer. I’m not a Mac… → Read More
I thought UMPCs had gone the way of the Tablet PC and polio, but not so. Apparently Microsoft has just rewritten its Reader application for Origami, allowing at least a VW Beetle-load of people the opportunity to read ebooks in all their magical, blazing glory. Next: MineSweeper redesigned for maximum Microsoft Surface compatibility. Product Page via Origami Project → Read More
It’s not an iPhone, it’s a bigass table. via FurryGoat → Read More
Great parody video of the recently announced Microsoft Surface Computer. “One day, your computer will be a big-ass table.” → Read More
With the news of Microsoft Surface announced, we found detail behind how the technology might work. During the Popular Mechanics interview, Microsoft noted that the display uses a series of IR sensors to detect objects on the surface providing controls of objects. A recently published Microsoft patent application provides further insight (and images) on how these sensors work. → Read More
Just to beat a dead horse into the ground, here are our top ten picks for potential Surface interactvity gadgets, in no particular order. 1. Zune — Clearly the Zune is a no-brainer for the Surface device. You drop on your player, connect wirelessly (for the first time since you bought it, even!) and start caring and sharing your music and movies. What could be cooler? Come on, iPod. → Read More
Now that Microsoft is leading us into a strange, table-shaped, and surprisingly dirty future, what does the blogospher have to say about it all? While we all know that this thing will probably never — in its current “cool thing at the mall” form — land in our homes, we’re excited nonetheless. Striding boldly into the chasm between man and machine is not an easy task… → Read More
As of 12:01 EST, we know the identity of Microsoft’s mystery guest. It seems that Redmond is launching Surface — an interactive “desk” that can sense styli and objects and interact with other devices using RFID and other wireless protocols. Told ya so. It will be available in Harrahs and Starwood Casinos as well as in select T-Mobile stores. That’s right — you… → Read More
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