Comments on: Microsoft Surface: consumer version in 2011?

By: Chris, San Diego, CA

Chris, San Diego, CA — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:41:05 +0000

These table have cameras in them. Is this what everybody wants – tables collecting biometric data such as fingerprints, facial photos, personal effects photos (eg, serial numbers from the undersides of devices one lays on the table such as laptops and cellphones, etc.)?

By: Justin - Burlington, Ontario, Canada

Justin - Burlington, Ontario, Canada — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:24:06 +0000

We must remeber that this is the first item in this field of development(the iPhone is not in the same category as the Microsoft Surface though they both use similar technology). The first computers did not have all the fuctions that everybody wanted and were really only used by those who had some form of stake in the technology or those who were enthusiasts (sounds familiar).

I have seen many people on many forums complaining about size and orientation but I could see this technology being re-assembled so that the main components and the screen + cameras will be independant of eachother, in something similar to a server hosting 1 (or possibly more) independant screens placed in different locations. In this way the screen could be mounted on the wall or on a drafting stand for easier use. I myself am 6'8" and even sitting leaning over a table is exteremely unappealing. Just remeber that these types of design considerations are not set in stone an could change at any time.

I could see many uses for this technology in fields like:

- art, Photoshop would be ideal for a system like this

- retail, I'm sure that they will allow you to put in your credit card number in manually

- video games, Like what was said ealier RTS games would be awesome utilizing this technology

- modeling, I would love to see 3DS Max running on this

- home functions, such as viewing movies, photo albums, whiteboard, etc

As for viruses, if a hacker really wants to get a virus on any technology that you own (credit cards, home pc, handheld devices, etc) they will do so in ever increasingly creative ways.

Anyway enough of this tangent, I have only one question. Does anyone else look at this and see Star Trek written all over it?

By: Rick, Greeley, Colorado

Rick, Greeley, Colorado — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:18:31 +0000

Actually, there is a major third player in the touch screen inovations, the one that really showed it was practical and had mass appeal, Nintendo with their DS.

By: nathan, selah, WA

nathan, selah, WA — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:12:18 +0000

loveittttt

By: Chris, Humble, TX

Chris, Humble, TX — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:26:26 +0000

To the guy who thinks he can catch a virus on his credit card through a surface: wow, just wow. I see lots of "hey, that's neat" uses for this technology, plus some useful ones, I like the comment that mentions learning games. Simple image editing (take image from camera, then give the "fix" utilities from Windows Photo Gallery), sticking with Microsoft's wares – it could asct as an intermediary interface for your zune to your computer. I'm not sure if these will be full blown computers or not, I get the impression that they are not, so I assume tehy will not have storage. This would be the ultimate "Media Center Extender" though… And to be fair, I believe Microsoft put in for the patent on this technology before Apple patented the technology that drives the iPhone and iPod Touch. I'm not sure why they are so slow to market with this stuff, some of it has to be dealing with the negative bias people seem to hold against them. I have my own negative thoughts, Windows Me for example I consider a virus… This seems like a genuine attempt to shoehorn their way into a market that Apple has been all but uncontested in – Digital Entertainment.

By: Duy N. Tucson, AZ

Duy N. Tucson, AZ — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:53:46 +0000

Practical applications? One word. Education. Make something like this consumer ready, and you have something that families can sit around to play and learn.

By: Yuvaraju.M,Chennai,Tamilanadu

Yuvaraju.M,Chennai,Tamilanadu — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:39:53 +0000

Microsoft surface will make so many changes in this software field.Really it is wonderful

By: Leon Atl, GA

Leon Atl, GA — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:14:15 +0000

I bet half these comments would be different if it was another company doing it….. Wake up !!!! If i could sit at a bar and touch the tabletop 4 my drink !!!! bring it

By: Leo Columbus, Ga

Leo Columbus, Ga — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:12:13 +0000

"Here we go again. How many times has Microsoft ‘promised’ and not delivered? Read Bill Gates’ The Road Ahead. Written in 1994 he has still not delivered promised ‘revolutionary’ technologies. Leave it to Apple to deliver a touch interface on technologies – oh, they already do!"

Don't Forget Bill gates owns 1/2 of apple too…… please remove foot from mouth

By: Papa Smurf, Fairfax, Vergina

Papa Smurf, Fairfax, Vergina — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:28:41 +0000

Microsoft is just one big bad joke