Nerve Endings Firing Away

Microsoft launched their latest offering in interactive technology – Microsoft Surface – that promises to redefine user-interaction through physical and natural hand gestures [TechCrunch announcement]. The simplest example in our daily lives where this is implemented today are your ATMs or the latest grocery checkout interfaces. Although a tad dated and in development for a long time, Microsoft has now extended this technology for personal use by ordinary people.

The demo videos on their site are simply amazing and explore a host of possibilities including playing around with your digital photos, videos, or even swapping songs between two MP3 players (of course, they used a Zune for a demo instead of the ubiquitous iPod). I also loved the multi-person interactive sessions, mapping features and comparison of two products in regards to their specs and cost. The best part about it is of course using your hands and fingers to navigate through different applications. I remember seeing my parents stuggle with a mouse cursor (they still do!) Here is a Behind the Scenes video from Popular Mechanics. See screenshots below:

But of course behind all the glitter and glamor, we must ask certain important questions if Microsoft wishes to make this table as ubiquitous as the iPod or the digital camera:

How much will it cost? – frankly it is not much use to the ordinary layperson if it is gonna cost an arm and a leg no matter how technologically inclined you are. Of course, prices can drop once it gets popular but then we would have a downgraded version as well which being Microsoft I am sure they will (look at the various Vista options). Rumor has it that it costs several thousands of dollars right now and is available only for commercial establishments like hotels and casinos.

Compatibility issues? – Being in the age of DRM and DMCA, will the Surface accept only Microsoft products? Will it do the same jhatang stuff as shown in the video if you place an iPod or Creative MP3 player or a Nikon digital camera. If it needs widespread acceptability, then it better otherwise I just might hang a ‘powered by Microsoft’ banner across my home.

Software glitches? – Since we are talking about Microsoft, are we going to rest assured they are not going to load it with unnecessary bells and whistles? I can almost envision the Blue Screen of Death in my face when I most need the Surface [a photoshop version already exists].

Was it Microsoft’s idea? – Usually such innovations do not come from the Microsoft stable. Even the first Windows version was a rip-off of Apple’s Mac OS. The Touch Table has already being demonstrating a similar product albeit with more technical uses and less prettier people. Is Apple’s iPhone a first step in creating an initial model for popular touch screen applications although they too are known to keep secrets?

Spill-proof or rough use? – If it is indeed meant to be a coffee table then is it protected from coffee spills? Perhaps not and maybe Microsoft wouldn’t even appreciate propping your legs on it while watching TV, right? It is more like a large horizontal computer screen. Nothing wrong with that except it should be promoted as such.

Crazy factor? – People being people are going to try out all kinds of stuff unless you warn them not to. Then they’ll go ahead and do it anyway and upload their videos on Youtube doing that which you could also see on the Surface. For e.g. if you pee on it, will it give you instant urine test results? Or better still, imagine all the pron apps you can make for this table.