Announcing Microsoft Surface
Today, I was with our team's DE presenting at a customer on VS 2005 and ASP.NET 2.0. Before the presentation started, one of the attendees walked up to me and says "tell me about this new monitor that you guys are selling". Hmmmm. What monitor?
And then I get a phone call from Josh after lunch, "what is Microsoft Surface?". I didn't know - but it was apparent that I missed something. And then an email from another customer. Later, I found that the NBC Today Show aired a piece will Bill Gates showing a table-shaped computer doing amazing things. Reading does not do the explaining well.
Microsoft Surface, the first commercially available surface computer from Microsoft Corporation, turns an ordinary tabletop into a vibrant, interactive surface. It provides effortless interaction with digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects. Surface is a 30-inch display in a table-like form factor that’s easy for individuals or small groups to interact with in a way that feels familiar, just like in the real world. In essence, it’s a surface that comes to life for exploring, learning, sharing, creating, buying and much more. Soon to be available in restaurants, hotels, retail and public entertainment venues, this experience will transform the way people shop, dine, entertain and live.
The best explanation for now (and best viewing) for now IMO are the videos at the Microsoft Surface site, which are impressive.
For the record - I know as much as the public does at this point. It's just like the Aquantive transaction in that I found out by press release. This is probably for good reason - with 70,000 potential mouths as employees, controlling the message is a challenge.
So for now, where can you find out more? Good question! Here is what I have come across today:
- Microsoft Surface Virtual Pressroom
- Press Release: Microsoft Launches New Product Category: Surface Computing Comes to Life in Restaurants, Hotels, Retail Locations and Casino Resorts
- MSNBC: Microsoft unveils revolutionary device (page also includes TODAY show interview video)
- CNET News.Com: How the 'Milan' table PC was born
- Microsoft PressPass: Executive Q&A
- Seattle Times: Bringing something new to the table
- Starwood to Use Microsoft's Surface (Starwood's stock went up $2 today)
- Video demo from March on Popular Mechanics