Microsoft's Surface taking a while to, you know, surface

While the tech demos are always sure to draw a crowd, Microsoft's Surface is still having trouble making it past the prototype stage. Originally slated to show up in a few commercial venues this year, applications of the tech have been pushed back to next spring at the earliest. Microsoft has plans to build devices for Sheraton hotels, Harrah's casinos and T-Mobile retail spots, but CNET reports that all the custom software needed and a lack of a one-size-fits-all solution for customers has Microsoft struggling to ship anything just yet. That said, there's still plenty of interest in Surface -- Microsoft says it's received 2,000+ inquiries from companies around the world and in many industries -- and while initial versions of the tabletop device are going to range from $5,000 to $10,000, Microsoft hopes to have a consumer-affordable version in three to five years.

[Quikboy Posted Nov 9th 2007 4:33PM]

Well, since Surface is suppose to be meant for computing, and can run a lot of things, then:

Magazines - virtual
Wireless remote - do it on Surface
Laptop - that's what Surface is meant for! - computing!
Empty pizza box - is it really that hard to toss that in the trash and take it out? Man are people getting lazy.

That's all, IF Surface has the ability to do that, which shouldn't be 'too' hard. So that pretty much refutes your comment.

[phlavor Posted Nov 9th 2007 2:57PM]

Hi. I'm an Apple fanboy and this stuff is so freaking cool I just peed a little. I don't care if Microsoft, Apple or Zombie Hitler makes it, I want this Surface stuff everywhere. I don't know why people get so Coke vs. Pepsi about these things. It's an interface. It's like hating the internet because the guy who thought it up slept with your sister and never called her back. DAMN HIM!!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 9th 2007 5:47PM]

thankyou...I'm a Microsoft user and I think the iPhone is cool.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 9th 2007 5:53PM]

No it wasn't him, I invented the internet... oh wait, that was YOUR sister? Gotta go....

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 9th 2007 3:00PM]

A consumer version? No thanks. I already spend most of the day hunched over enough as it is in my chair at my desk. Why would people want to operate a computer in such a position that has themselves hunched over a table down down their my knees or waste?

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 9th 2007 3:31PM]

"Good thing this device wasn't designed by APPLE Computers cause then you idiots would be applauding it and pledging your lives to it - giving Steve Job's journalistic BJ's."

Of course if this were an Apple designed device at least we'd be *using* it instead of just reading about it. Apple's not so big on the "announce something years before it's ready" scene.

[GeekPI Posted Nov 9th 2007 5:05PM]

Perfect application that would change an industry. Computer Aided Drafting Table. Drafting tables are already huge and most of the architects I work with have one next to their computer workstations. This would fit the form factor perfectly scaled up, and make CAD so much easier. We would happily buy 30 of them for $10k each.

[Ed T Posted Nov 12th 2007 12:06PM]

Like others said, Surface is an R&D project Gates & Ballmer pulled out at the last minute to try and blunt the PR from the iPhone announcement. The technology used is dated and IMO, ridiculous. Cameras and projectors to monitor and display on a flat surface? Psst, Mr. Ballmer, the 1960's scifi movies called, and they want their props back.

The person who said Surface is the future for CAD and drafting needs to retire. The last time I saw a drafting table in use was five years ago.

[FallenArms3 Posted Nov 9th 2007 5:15PM]

I was just wondering where this went. I hope it or something similar comes out soon! This stuff is so awesome. I want to lay my Zune on it just to mess around with the contents.

[MrLinux Posted Nov 9th 2007 10:55PM]

Ah yes this thing, the engineers call it "the blue screen of touch".

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 10th 2007 5:45AM]

I saw an interesting multi-touch-table at this years k trade fair. Some german Fraunhofer guys built a large table with a real time visualization of a plastic manufacturing chain. It seems that this technology is already working.

http://a4www.igd.fraunhofer.de/projects/48

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2007 2:20AM]

So basically its a GIGANTIC iPhone? Why is that innovative? At least the iPhone fits in your pocket.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 12th 2007 1:44PM]

This may be nice. Some day. But frankly, remember when it was announced? At the Walt Mossberg convention, as a way of saying, "We have multitouch too!" Right, like I'll cart around a Surface machine to make my phone calls. The technology laid out this way, with multiple cameras under the glass to locate your finger, is at best a hotel demo. A couple of thousand of these? I'm sure the development costs would mean they'd have to sell them for $40-50,000 apiece.

Any home version would have to have, oh, I don't know, an HDTV projector? No full-size cameras underneath the screen. Would you be able to eat off this coffee table?

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 12th 2007 7:47PM]

This really isn't that surprising...like it's been stated, MS and delays in releases go hand in hand. While I think MS has problems catching up to Apple as far as innovation goes (based on opinion and my experience using products from both companies), this idea was interesting because of its attempts to make a touch-based UI something that was actually useful for business. That being said, it's definitely not something I would clamor for due to the lack of pressure-sensitivity, and the overall bulk of the machine itself (seriously, a 110 lb. machine?); the earlier prediction that it'll be about 2009 that we actually see these available on a more widespread basis sounds correct to me, and even then it'll be interesting to see if it can compete with other touch-based UIs that will be popping up around its debut (the touch screen is the new mouse IMHO).

Hopefully they make this better than Vista or the Zune...both of which were extremely disappointing for all of the features they boasted.