Microsoft Surface

Chelsea Cunningham
 What is Microsoft Surface?
• Project began in 2001
• Introduced in 2007
• A surface computing platform from
Microsoft.

“Microsoft Surface represents a

fundamental change in the way we interact
with digital content. With Surface, we can
actually grab data with our hands, and
move information between objects with
natural gestures and touch. Surface
features a 30-inch tabletop display whose
unique abilities allow for several people to
work independently or simultaneously. All
without using a mouse or a keyboard.”

- Microsoft.com
 What is surface computing?
A form of computing that offers “a natural way of
interacting with information,” rather than the
“traditional user interface.”

Direct Interaction: The ability to "grab" digital

information with hands - interacting with
touch/gesture, not with a mouse or keyboard.

Multi–Touch: The ability to recognize multiple points

of contact at the same time, not just one (Ex. one
finger, like with most touch screens), but dozens.

Multi–User: The Surface’s screen is horizontal,

allowing many people to come together around it
and experience a “collaborative, face–to–face
computing experience”.

Object Recognition: Physical objects can be placed

on the Surface’s screen to “trigger different types of
digital responses” (Ex. cell phones, cameras, & glasses
of wine).
 How is the Surface used?
• Wireless! Transfer pictures from camera to Surface and cell
phone. “Drag and drop virtual content to physical objects.”
• Digital interactive painting
• At a phone store? Place cell phone on the Surface and get
information, compare different phones, select service plan,
accessories, and pay at table!
• At a restaurant? View menu, order drinks and meal at your
table! It’s a durable surface you can eat off of (withstands spills,
etc.). Need separate checks? Split bill at and pay at table.
• Play games and use the Internet.
• Watch television
• Jukebox! Browse music, make play lists.
•Billboard for advertising
• Maps
 How does it work?
• The Surface is not a touch-sensitive screen device… The screen itself is not electronic.
• The Surface uses multiple infrared cameras beneath the screen/table top to sense objects, physical touch, etc.
• The Surface “recognizes objects based on shape or by using domino-style identification (domino tags) on the
bottom of the objects.”
• This information is processed and displayed using “rear projection”.

(1) Screen: Diffuser -> ”multitouch" screen. Can process

multiple inputs and recognize objects by their shapes or coded
"domino" tags.

(2) Infrared: The ”machine vision" is aimed at the screen. Once

an object touches the tabletop -> the light reflects back and is
picked up by infrared cameras.

(3) CPU: Uses similar components as current desktop

computers -> Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM and a
256MB graphics card. Wireless communication -> WiFi and
Bluetooth antennas (future -> RFID). Operating system ->
modified version of Microsoft Vista.

(4) Projector: Uses a DLP light engine ( rear-projection

HDTVs).
 Who’s using the Surface today?
• Currently only commercially available and being used in the retail,
hospitality, automotive, banking and healthcare industries.

• Current customers are AT&T, T-Mobile, the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino
in Las Vegas, Sheraton Hotels, Disney Innovations House in California,
Hotel 1000 in Seattle, Harrah’s Entertainment, and Starwood Hotels and
Resorts Worldwide.
 Microsoft Surface’s Future…
• Surface will continue to be sold to and used by restaurants, retail, leisure and
public entertainment venues.

• According to Pete Thompson, Microsoft’s general manager for surface

computing, the Surface could potentially be available to the “broader
consumer market” as soon as 2010. Microsoft goal is for consumers test the
Surface in commercial settings, and then want them in their own households.
Microsoft wants to expand to the consumer market by making a product
people can use in their home environment (using other surfaces like desks or
making a version that hangs on the wall).

• Computer scientists hope to incorporate this kind of technology in peoples’

daily lives… Future goals are to surround people with intelligent surfaces
(look up recipes on your kitchen counter or table, control TV with coffee table,
etc.)

• "I firmly believe that in the near future, we will have wallpaper displays in
every hallway, in every desk. Every surface will be a point of interaction with
a computer, and for that to happen, we really need interfaces like this." - Jeff
Han founder of Perceptive Pixel and NYU professor
 Problems?
• Will it catch on? Microsoft's “whiz-bang technologies” aren’t always the
most successful products… For example the smart watch, the Portable Media
Center, the Zune music player and the Tablet PC, have not caught on like the
company had hoped. Microsoft hopes “to strike a chord with consumers” with
the Surface and “expand beyond its traditional Windows and Office software
businesses.”

•
$$ $$ $ $$ Surface machines cost between $5,000 and $10,000, but
Microsoft hopes that as prices fall, the machine will find it’s way into the
consumer’s household. For it to be able to catch on with “mainstream
consumers,” the price will definitely need to come down.
Microsoft Surfa
ce Videos
 Works Cited:
•http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4217348.html?page=1
•http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4217348.html?page=2
•http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4217348.html?page=3
•http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-announces-surface-computer/
•http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/01/microsoft-surface-coming-to-att-stores/
•http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/317737_msftdevice30.html
•http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/touch-me/microsoft-surface-confirmed-touch+sensitive-10k-
minority-report-table-264338.php
•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZrr7AZ9nCY
•www.microsoftsurface.com