Microsoft Surface going spherical?

While we've yet to see the rollout of Microsoft's Surface, rumor has it that other versions have at least made it to the prototype stage. According to ZDNET's sources, Microsoft has a "spherical Surface prototype" bouncing around the Redmond campus. What's intriguing is how they managed to stuff a rear projection unit and IR cameras into a ball. Presumably, we're talking about a different touch-sensitive technology to that used in the table-top surface. You know, assuming the rumor is true.

[Dylan K @ Mar 6th 2008 7:01AM]

I'd rather have a big ass table than a big ass ball.

[Raheem @ Mar 6th 2008 7:06AM]

Microsoft Balls™

[fred @ Mar 6th 2008 8:37AM]

Okama Gamesphere!

[Dan S. @ Mar 6th 2008 9:24AM]

Actually, it's now known as "OoGhiJ MIQ'txxXA" (Klingon for superior galactic intelligence).

(I have a feeling it may encourage users to stop and use a bathroom -- you know, rather than just doing it as they walk.)

[ShadowMaker @ Mar 6th 2008 10:40AM]

'Blue Screen of Death Star'

[ryan @ Mar 6th 2008 7:11AM]

yeah this just went from mildly useful to completely stupid. i'd like to watch as peoples cameras and phones just fall right off

[andrew @ Mar 6th 2008 7:15AM]

wow ur dumb.......

[Wwhat @ Mar 6th 2008 9:27AM]

You mean he's funny, dummy

[Raghu @ Mar 6th 2008 9:57AM]

@ Ryan

Apparently most people have already forgotten the original Surface and its phone and camera interfaces. I agree with Wwhat... funny comment, for those who really read and remember things. Stupid ADD kids...

[xthaox @ Mar 6th 2008 7:13AM]

Steve BALLmer !

[monkfishbandana @ Mar 6th 2008 11:42AM]

BALL Gates?

[andrew r @ Mar 6th 2008 7:15AM]

i like the idea...sounds like a cool idea for a personal device versus the massive table...kewl , go redmond

[wickedpheonix @ Mar 6th 2008 7:30AM]

To let you know where this is going to, that looks like a Crystal Ball. You know, the kind old psychics wearing headbands with incense use to try to tell your future - which is a crock.

[Allan @ Mar 6th 2008 7:39AM]

Whether it's true or not... perhaps they should focus on the flat version first and make sure it works and people can actually figure it out before they go making it into a globe.

[John Doe. @ Mar 6th 2008 9:46AM]

Its called a prototype for a reason dumbass. What? You think a company like MS who has a few billion in the bank can't work on multiple projects at once without draining resources? This isn't Apple afterall, who can't work on the iPhone and Leopard at the same time.

[Revels @ Mar 6th 2008 7:52AM]

The first step to the Playstation 9
http://youtube.com/watch?v=XtHOP8h911I

[Kurian @ Mar 6th 2008 7:56AM]

Ugh...inevitable ugly seams.

[steviant @ Mar 6th 2008 7:58AM]

To compete in that form factor it will need to reveal the secrets of the mysterious future and be able to be used with weird wavy hand gestures in a dark and misty room.

[GRoY @ Mar 6th 2008 6:29PM]

Add google earth on that thing and you've got Douglas Coupland's invention from the end of jPod.

[maxd @ Mar 6th 2008 9:50AM]

one day, your globe will be a big-ass... globe that lights up? Interesting idea, but i can't come up for any useful applications other than advertising and some sort of google-earth-on-crack type of thing.
does that mean we're now looking at blue planet of death??

[CrackedButter @ Mar 6th 2008 8:06AM]

Didn't I see one of these in Lord of the Rings?

[Eric @ Mar 6th 2008 1:24PM]

You're thinking of a Palantir.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palantir

[John B. @ Mar 6th 2008 8:10AM]

The only way I can see something like this being useful is if it were just a half dome, so it was a curved surface sitting on a flat base. Even then, it would have no advantages over a flat surface and would still be annoying to use.

A complete ball though? I can't imagine a single use for something that ridiculously unusable.

[Geir E @ Mar 6th 2008 8:25AM]

Microsoft Surface Crystal ball fortune teller edition.

[Blackster @ Mar 6th 2008 8:34AM]

i can already see something like this coming to us in the near future when visiting our favourite witch:
customer: so what does it say?
witch: please wait, my crystal ball hung up and i have to reboot it!

[Mark @ Mar 6th 2008 8:50AM]

Crashtal ball

[j03r1co @ Mar 6th 2008 8:38AM]

I think it's an impressive step up in technology

[eros_18 @ Mar 6th 2008 9:11AM]

Definitely have to agree with you on that. Going from a flat surface to a round object is a step in the right direction for developing the technology. Granted the 'ball' would have to be small to have any real advances.

[Jagannath A @ Mar 6th 2008 8:41AM]

Microsoft Oracle ;)

[Alex Padilla @ Mar 6th 2008 8:52AM]

Not gonna lie, this spherical touchscreen computer thing is pretty hard to grasp. However, it wouldn't surprise me if this was actually done. I'm sure Microsoft has TONS of products over at Redmond that they're working on just for research purposes.

And, for the record, I still think Surface is the future of computing.

[Jonathan @ Mar 6th 2008 9:26AM]

Quarters, quarters, I love quarters.

[Chris Aubeck @ Mar 6th 2008 9:26AM]

Could reinvent the way we use our balls in social encounters.

[av8or @ Mar 6th 2008 9:29AM]

not to get all nerded out here, oh wait, this is engadget, anyhoo
it's like the controls for goa'uld ships
http://www.sg1.cz/epizody/s9/thumb/SG1_906_12.jpg

[Ed T @ Mar 6th 2008 10:30AM]

Yeah sphere, whatever. Maybe M$ "R&D" should invest in projects with a real payoff, like a version of Vista that creates PPT files and CDs compatible with older (XP & W2K) systems. Last night we watched as a PhD scientist fumbled for ten minutes trying to get his presentation started. Turns out he burned his PPT files on a CD using Vista -- TILT! -- he ended up using a chalkboard and hand written notes.

[Erik @ Mar 6th 2008 2:59PM]

Maybe this "PhD scientist" should learn to output his office files as compatible with 97-2003 compatible...

[Nick Thorpe @ Mar 6th 2008 10:47AM]

looks very interesting, would liek to see how they project into the sphere?

as its what i do pretty much all day anyway :)

www.immersivedisplay.co.uk

[Jared @ Mar 6th 2008 11:05AM]

touch-sensitive balls!

this is sure to make some of those 4th graders laugh

[hydrogen_wv @ Mar 6th 2008 12:01PM]

I'm sure this thing will go through dozens more changes before it is released. I think too many people are focusing on the shape and not the technology behind it.

I think it would be neat sitting around a table playing a game with 3 other people that was specifically made for this... if it hits the market, it will probably happen.

I agree that the flat surface seems more functional, but maybe they have some better ideas that these people that get paid more money than i'll ever see in my life were able to come up...

I think some of you forget that there are people more creative than you... and that if you put enough semi-creative people in a room, one of them just might have a good idea! :)

[imatt @ Mar 6th 2008 12:25PM]

Like a palantir?

[Zhalfim Deyn @ Mar 6th 2008 12:47PM]

Have no fear! The Sphere is here!

...in the R&D section of course...

[Branedy @ Mar 6th 2008 1:30PM]

When this goes Pear shaped, let me know ;-)

[Aaron @ Mar 13th 2008 1:51PM]

I think it sounds pretty cool. I could imagines having one on a table in your living room that just looks like an ornament with some kinda picture/movie slideshow running but then you can use it to surf the net check emails and play some quirky games etc. It could be good for things like video editing and stuff. I can imagine a minority report-ish feel.

[Blaktornado @ Mar 6th 2008 12:38PM]

"It could be good for things like video editing and stuff"

No, it really couldn't.

[Blaktornado @ Mar 6th 2008 12:38PM]

"It could be good for things like video editing and stuff"

No, it really couldn't.