Microsoft Surface - pretty wild stuff

[GBrushTWood]

It's a next-generation coffee table that seems to do everything. These will start showing up in retail establishments first. Check out the official website (with cool propaganda/marketing style videos). The Popular Mechanics video is really sweet though..

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

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4217348.html

This stuff looks absolutely wild. Prior to seeing this, I never really thought of the coffee table as a platform for performing every day tasks. I think the possibilities are nearly endless when thinking about what could be incorporated into these tables, both at home and in a commercial establishment. You could view an entire restaurant menu on this, with pictures of the dish, plus nutrition information. You could really do anything..

The only thing I haven't read yet is what happens if you spill some food or drink on this insane display..

[DaveDQ]

Re: Microsoft Surface - pretty wild stuff

That's pretty wild.

I wonder what happens when you spill coffee on it.

[jmood88]

Re: Microsoft Surface - pretty wild stuff

This is kind of offtopic but whatever happened to that tile thing that Sony showed last year? There were parts in the popular mechanics video that looked like it.

[Leon]

Re: Microsoft Surface - pretty wild stuff

Its a pretty cool concept but it'll probably be a few more years before we even start seeing it available to everyone. Reminds me a lot of Minority Report and The Island though.

[aukevin]

Re: Microsoft Surface - pretty wild stuff

Looks very cool. It'd have to stand up to my feet being put on it if it is suppose to pass as a coffee table though. It needs to be scratch-proof for sure.

[DaHokieBird]

Re: Microsoft Surface - pretty wild stuff

The ability to transfer a picture between devices like that has me sold.

[DaveDQ]

Re: Microsoft Surface - pretty wild stuff

Here's anothe similiar vid from Cnet:

http://www.cnettv.com/9710-1_53-27806.html

Pretty cool stuff.

[GBrushTWood]

Re: Microsoft Surface - pretty wild stuff

I think the ability to split up a restaurant or bar tab based on what you purchased is phenomenal. That kind of thing makes life easier and efficient, which is what computers should be doing.

Of course, the downside to all this is that it appears you will need a special restaurant card to get this functionality. With this card comes increased data mining of your personal information, and the further deterioration of personal privacy. I wouldn't want to get email advertisements about the greatest turkey sandwiches in the area just because I ate on at this restaurant. Some people may start bitching about these kinds of nuisances, but they seem inevitable as this technology becomes more prevalent.