Microsoft Surface

“Microsoft Surface (Codename: Milan), is a multi-touch product from Microsoft which is developed as a software and hardware combination technology that allows a user, or multiple users, to manipulate digital content by the use of natural motions, hand gestures, or physical objects”

– Is how Wikipedia defines “Microsoft Surface“.

“Microsoft Surface turns an ordinary tabletop into a vibrant, interactive surface. It’s the first commercially-available surface computing platform from Microsoft. The product provides effortless access to digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects.”
– Is how the “Surface” team describes it.

Whatever might be the definitions, I can only say onething – its just amazing. I got a chance to play with it a couple of weeks back and it was love at first sight. Alas, there is no second sight yet. So, I can only bask in the past glory 🙂

So, why did I like it? Well, I was enchanted by the multi-user, multi-touch interface firstly. Next, it was the sheer beauty of the product. I was moving a kid’s image with my hand and the kid was jumping, walking and running according to my hand movement. This was in one of the things meant for children to create videos, perhaps. But, isn’t it equally attractive to adults? Oh, I was moving my hand around a image on screen and the picture elongated and compressed as per my hand! See some of the demo videos over here and you can understand what “Surface” can do 🙂

There is such a lot that one can do with this product. Wonder how it will be if this becomes accessible to everyone. Perhaps, it changes the way people use and interact with a computer, drastically. Ofcourse, its not available for individual customers. Its target audience are the commercial sites like – select AT&T retail locations, at the iBar located in the Rio All Suite Hotel , a casino in Las Vegas, at select Sheratons in the U.S., the Disney Innovations House in Anaheim, California and at Hotel 1000 in Seattle etc.