Microsoft Surface - History
(Page 2 of 4 )
The Surface idea dates back to 2001, when Steven Bathiche of Microsoft Hardware and Andy Wilson of Microsoft Research got together to create a new technology. I always love when someone from hardware gets together with someone from research. This always leads to a cool new device in the works, typically a device I want.
In 2003 the idea really got going with a working prototype. It wasn't anywhere near the final design; it was more or less an IKEA table, with a hole on the top and a screen put in. After at least 85 different prototypes, they got the final design down and developed many applications which will allow it to be used in different environments.
How does it work?
It isn't just a big touchscreen LCD like you find on tablet PCs. The device is made of a few different parts to get the screen projected onto the surface, and get the multiple touch input. Let's start with the screen part. It's an acrylic tabletop, and when the diffuser is turned on, the surface interface shows up. The final version is 30" diagonally across.
To display the screen, the device uses a technique similar to the way a DLP TV works. When your finger or a device touches the surface, the light is reflected back into the device where multiple sensors pick up the light and transfer it to input.
Finally, powering all this is a normal computer. It will have a Core 2 Duo, 2 GB RAM, 256MB graphics card, and wireless communication. Bluetooth and 802.11G are built in, and it appears that RFID will be as well. The computer will run a custom version of Vista, with an over layer that will allow the Surface interface.
Vaporware or for real?
Devices like this often are made, but never get mass produced for the public. The devices that are "really cool" and are ahead of their time typically don't get seen again until technology catches up. Most often these devices are too expensive to produce, and for the price, few would actually want to buy one.
It appears that Microsoft sees a real market for this device; they already have a few commitments from businesses to use the Surface in their business. Each device looks like it is going to cost between $5,000 and $10,000. This is out of the range of most consumers, but is cheap enough for the medium-sized business and corporate sector. Microsoft hopes that by 2010, the production cost will fall to where it is affordable for the average Joe.
AT&T Wireless was the first to jump on board in April 2008, with four Surface devices put into their retail stores. If all goes well, more will be added over time. Harrah's Entertainment, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, T-Mobile and a distributor, International Game Technology have plans for Surface in the near future. They hoped they could have them by the end of last year; partners' custom applications are still being worked on, but it looks like this will be a go soon.
Next: What can you do with Surface? >>
More BrainDump Articles
More By jkabaseball
