Alright, Microsoft: we take it all back. It was wrong, just wrong of us to impugn your promotional filmmaking skills. That
Bruce Springsteen parody? Spot on.
Awkward Vegas flirtations? True pathos. And now, to promote the launch of your latest version of the Surface table for Sheraton Hotels, you've crafted the touching story of a curious kid, a smug photo-twirler, her tardy date and a loving asian family. We don't want to spoil anything, but complications ensue, folks, and this is one nail-biter worthy of a sequel. Do they all end up going to dinner together? Or are they destined to troll Craigslist that evening, seeking their missed connection...
You: Cute family.
Me: Sultry Surface spokeswoman.
My date was a disaster, and now I'm all alone for the weekend, let me teach you how to pair your phones with the table over Bluetooth, and then we can all go get ice cream together!
Heartbreaking, simply heartbreaking. Video is after the break.
posted Aug 12th 2008 at 9:29PM
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Bassir @ Aug 12th 2008 9:32PM
I look forward to children putting their dirty hands on this device and doing absolutely nothing productive while adults completely ignore it and just talk to the concierge for their needs.
Andir3.0 @ Aug 12th 2008 10:35PM
Well, one thing's for sure... it's definitely a good way for a pedophile to attract kids away from their parents. ;)
Matthew C @ Aug 12th 2008 11:00PM
Ah... I believe the question is "WILL it blend?"
Matthew C @ Aug 12th 2008 11:00PM
responded to the wrong post...oops
eric dolecki @ Aug 12th 2008 11:06PM
A lot of people sitting around a table doing nothing. Well done.
giuliop @ Aug 13th 2008 4:53AM
@eric
They've basically brought Microsoft's own conference-room philosophy to the outside world.
Hexing @ Aug 12th 2008 9:33PM
Cool, but can it play Crysis?
andres @ Aug 12th 2008 9:37PM
no
Playstation @ Aug 12th 2008 9:46PM
Crysis? This thing can handle Crysis and Halo 3 side by side at the same time.
tawak @ Aug 12th 2008 9:50PM
I think the real question is does it do anything useful at all?
MioTheGreat @ Aug 12th 2008 10:18PM
Yes. From what I remember, it's got a relatively decent graphics card in it.
Ben @ Aug 12th 2008 10:22PM
I think that engadget needs an auto-Crysis option on the comments. Think about it... as soon as they post something, the first comment is automatically "Can it play Crysis? First!!!" Kills two birds with one stone!
J @ Aug 12th 2008 10:36PM
I think you need to add more:
FIRST!
Can it play doom?
Can it play crisis?
Can it blend?
JohnTitor @ Aug 12th 2008 10:59PM
if it can play Crysis, it won't blend
I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Aug 13th 2008 7:37AM
Cool, but will it run Linux?
neofolklore @ Aug 13th 2008 7:43AM
Preacher?
Craig @ Aug 14th 2008 10:00AM
I have seen some info on this that shows it implemented at restaurants. Placing orders, connecting to phones via bluetooth to share photos and whatnot. Also looked like patrons were watching video on it. Me thinks it would only be productive for a retail/commercial space. Not so much on the personal level
Mo @ Aug 12th 2008 9:37PM
Damn thats a long commercial, and i doubt it can play crysis
etechshop @ Aug 12th 2008 9:36PM
I dig the chick :)
Galley @ Aug 13th 2008 9:14AM
Sultry, indeed!
Randy @ Aug 26th 2008 11:30AM
She's pretty, but she doesn't really do it for me.
Sam Clark @ Aug 12th 2008 9:44PM
Lol, just lol, thats truly all i can say
andres @ Aug 12th 2008 9:56PM
weak vocabulary?
Kurian @ Aug 13th 2008 3:31AM
I guess its better than only being able to say 'omelette du fromage'
Mam00th @ Aug 12th 2008 9:49PM
At least this ad is an improvement over the viva las vegas one...
Christian @ Aug 12th 2008 10:35PM
@Good_Bytes
of course the iphone commercials are rendered, really not that big of a secret. They have to fit all the info into a 30 second commercial. And I had already seen that video.
sonicwind @ Aug 12th 2008 9:55PM
Watch out! That guy can erase your memory!
yode @ Aug 12th 2008 10:57PM
lawl, the Haitian
waiownsyou @ Aug 13th 2008 2:22AM
Uh-oh, someone doesn't watch Heroes...
BAN!
neofolklore @ Aug 13th 2008 7:46AM
That would give the Surface a BSOD. wait, which memory
hexhunter @ Aug 13th 2008 11:24AM
LOL, I thought he was the psychic guy from The Shining...
But is he the Haitian from Heroes, or Abbadon from Lost?
bluestriker @ Aug 12th 2008 9:57PM
Man, that music was intense. You can just FEEL the power.
jay @ Aug 12th 2008 9:59PM
Anyone know where I can download that song playing in the background? It's uplifting, yet hip with the kids.
Andir3.0 @ Aug 12th 2008 10:37PM
You have a need to attract kids?
Abuzar Baloach @ Aug 13th 2008 1:29AM
Try chocolate.
Alex @ Aug 13th 2008 7:20AM
Apparently it attracts Cougars as well.
Good_Bytes @ Aug 12th 2008 10:00PM
Surface started to be developed way before your iPhone.
Its not crap, it works, and you see live real footage. Not a pre-rendered video like the iPhone ads:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaN1Nz1Dyls&eurl=
It's a gadget, like your iPhone.
dcoaster @ Aug 12th 2008 10:03PM
This same concept has been in Microsoft's little museum in Redmond for years. A series of cameras and projectors showing a picture on a glass, vertical screen. Very entertaining a few years back.
thatrotierkid @ Aug 12th 2008 10:09PM
I wish you would be your avatar and slowly disappear
digitallysick @ Aug 12th 2008 10:14PM
Now you can "touch" the bluescreen of death. I bet it runs on vista like everything else, count down until it is hacked.....3....2...
John @ Aug 12th 2008 10:16PM
Paul, why don' t you just call them Oriental? Not to be PC but let's give us Asians some respect!
"a loving asian family"
mike @ Aug 12th 2008 10:26PM
Ah?
What year is it? "Oriental" is a bloody throwback racist term.
"Asian" IS PC.
Weirdo.
Tony @ Aug 12th 2008 10:38PM
As an Asian, where my ancestors were descended from ASIA, I would prefer to be called Asian. See the correlation?
neofolklore @ Aug 13th 2008 7:47AM
or because they're Asian we can call them Asian.
John @ Aug 13th 2008 8:17AM
Stupid comment system! I was trying to point out the fact he didn't bother to capitalize "Asian". But I guess my comment didn't make the point correctly.
Mr. Clever-Clever @ Aug 12th 2008 10:20PM
"Hands Off ! It's my turn you bastard!"
Davsot @ Aug 12th 2008 10:26PM
the best part is the music
deyanimay @ Aug 12th 2008 10:34PM
Do you think they are actually saying anything and enjoying themselves or just "blah blah blah *smile* blah *laugh*."
Christian @ Aug 13th 2008 3:46AM
@Good_Bytes
of course the iphone commercials are rendered, really not that big of a secret. They have to fit all the info into a 30 second commercial. And I had already seen that video.
I think surface is awesome!
WixosTrix @ Aug 12th 2008 10:39PM
i dont understand why u ppl have to hate on it so much as if not a single person will ever go to it or benefit from the surface. i'm sure if apple made it there'd be a million comments by now about how wonderful it is...u guys kill me.