Simviation Forums

Microsoft Surface. What do you like it and what do you don't like? Do you think it is going to be a big success? What tech advances do you think will be in it?

I find that the Microsoft Surface OS seems to be cool. It feels so Star Trekie. Just imagine a coffee table doing everything for you.

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/

It's a interesting spin on the idea. They were bound to come up with it eventualy! It's not all that new though. The technology has been around since the 90's, although it is cheaper now, the same basic idea already exists. For example, I was at a mall in Pennsylvania (can't remeber town) that had the front lobby "paved" in the touch sensitive stuff. You could draw, write, and play games on it. If you just walked around on it, animated charachters would follow you around. It was pretty entertaining to my easily amused mind!

It's way more than merely walking over a touch sensative floor.  It not only responds to touch, but it communicates with a number of other hand held devices.  VERY impressive!  I can see it being an appliance in just about every home.  Set your camera on top, and Surface allows you to view and share the photos.  Set your music device on top, and surface allows you to add, and change selection lists.  I'm impressed.  Seems these are just the , uhhh, hem, surface of the number of possibilities.

Of course, there is always the rediculousely high price tag. But thanks to Moore's Law and the way the market changes and reacts towards new and old technologies and innovations, we can expect to initially see them in public areas like airports and cafes. Over time, we'll then see them in homes. How much time will that take? I don't know.

its a very good idea, but a bit of a gimmik.

however.... i want one...

I will want one... when I'm rich lol

Technology you see on TV is very typically derived from communication with leading scientific and educational institutions.

In example,

How may of you noticed the communicators (flip top box) in the original Star Trek series of the 60

Nick's a naughty boy but i won't say why