Let me start by saying that I’m the least technologically savvy person I know – just in case you didn’t detect the hint of sarcasm in the name of my blog. Having said that, I’m also a little bit behind the times hence my new found interest in multi-touch surfaces. I think the iPhone is genius, so imagine my fascination with Microsoft’s “Milan” project; a coffee table that doubles as a computer…a computer that allows collaborative, hands-on work…..a computer that recognizes other gadgets/electronic appliances on contact.
The surface of the coffee table has a diffuser with an infrared LED light source aimed at it. This turns a mere acrylic surface into something that responds to contact at multiple points and is able to recognize objects placed on it based on their shapes. Its CPU which is under the surface has all the components of a regular desktop computer but with WiFi, Bluetooth and RFID. What really blows my mind are the amazing things that can be done with this computer. First of all, it can be customized/configured to come in any shape. It can also be mounted on the wall (especially since one of my initial concerns was the backache that would inevitably result from bending over the coffee table).
How many times have you embraced your spontaneous side and ordered a novel dish at a restaurant? And how many times have you thought “goodness! I should have stuck with a good old plate of pasta” upon seeing your food? Imagine walking into restaurants with Microsoft surface computers set up as tabletops so you could browse the menu and see pictorial representations of what your order is going to look like or even ‘google’ the dish before ordering.
As clueless as I am when it comes to IT, I can see the advantages that surface computing will contribute to a lot of activities both business-wise and for personal use at home…..especially when it becomes affordable enough for everyone to own one….or two.
In recent news…..Microsoft is launching a modified version of Windows Vista called Windows 7, in a couple of months. According to Business Week's Stephen Wildstrom, the new operating system is said to relieve all Vista-related headaches in terms of compatibility and performance issues.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18936536/
http://video.popularmechanics.com/services/link/bcpid932579976/bclid932553050/bctid933742930
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
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