Microsoft hints at possible "Oahu" consumer Surface device
By Donald Melanson 
posted Oct 14th 2008 4:54PM
posted Oct 14th 2008 4:54PM
Microsoft's already set to launch the Surface SDK this month, and it looks like it might possibly be looking to take it one big step further, at least if a recent market research survey is any indication. In it, Microsoft asks for participants' thoughts on a possible "Oahu" computing device with an "innovative multi-touch screen." That, the survey says, could be configured in several different "forms," including a table for meals, a countertop, or even an old school-style games table. As you might expect, there's not much in the way of exact technical details to be found, but the hypothetical device would apparently be large enough for four people to use at the same time, and it would supposedly be able to connect to various portable devices "when you put them on the screen." No indication of a possible release date, of course, but the survey did ask participants how likely they would be to purchase the device if it cost $1,499.
Whoa there Micro, you saying what? I'd buy it!
No kidding. I can think of ways to get it connected to my network & use it as a very spiffy remote control for all our media in a much more visual fashion than buttons. Plus flipping through photos, looking up stuff while still in the living room but not on some lap burning computer.. $1500 is high but I'd probably spring.
Drop it another 100 or so(WITH NO GOD AWFUL REBATES) and Im sold..not a huge fan of MS, but it looks like something cool to kill time w/
With Windows 7 coming out next year and it having multi-touch function. Surface and Win7 will make an interesting product. Just have a better UI.
this is just the new multi touch trackpad for windows 7
I'd buy it. Microsoft, if you want a beta tester, give me a call.
This table top computing system reminds me of the devices used in the book Enders Game by Orson Scott
Totally! But that seemed to be more on the size of an eating tray, like something you eat in bed with. This sounds like it would be more of a table, yet smaller then Surface I guess?
Good call on the Ender's Game though!
$1,199.98 and maybe I'll buy one.
We're already bored with Surface (it should've been kept more of a secret).
Speak for yourself, I don't get bored when manufactors are somewhat informative instead of denying everything to get some viral advertising going.
I was trying to get the big M to lower the price by saying we're bored of it.
Jeez ... thanks for ruining everything.
Has anyone told Microsoft there's no market for this? I imagine this would do as well as the UMPC debacle.
What I think comsumer's would really go for is a device similar to HP's TouchScreen that's wall-mountable and made as a central PC for the family.
But what do I know, I'm just a guy trying to put out a fire.
The market is for commercial which is much larger and more crucial than the personal computer market.
Microsoft could create a market for it. New houses are built all the time. All they have to do is get deals with contractors to have these things built into the house, like the counter top thing, people would get used to it, need more like it, and it could be a success. That's my theory. Force it upon the consumer, Microsoft knows how to do that.
What applications could this have?
Touch air hockey?
Elbows off the table alarm?
Coffee getting cold alarm.
Mood lights?
You seem like you have never played with virtual drops of water before. Do you have any idea how long you can do that for? a LONG time.
Love the TMNT avatar.
The uses would be endless.
Conference rooms for businesses, restaurant tables, museums, ordering your own damn fast food...
Wow, 4 people?!?!? Does that mean even when families sit down to the dinner table together they wont talk to each other?
I'd buy one as soon as they become available.
(as long as they're waterproof, and you can play 2-4 player pong while eating dinner)
Already saving.
Saving what exactly? The whales? Footballs? Humanity?
I like the idea of coffee getting cold alarm but for food xD
I can see many uses for this at home, like... Imagine strategy games, or a new crazy way to play multi-player tetris. If we can put objects on the surface, then we could put a banana while playing pacman? :P Okay, maybe it's difficult to figure out some GOOD ideas for this application, but since there's no market for this yet, that just leaves microsoft an open opportunity to create one. Personally, a central computer system, or a 3D sketching table would be the ideal thing. Granted touch is more advanced than this, but personally I would like to see it happen. Just don't let it turn out like the Wii, continue the innovation and don't let mini-games get out of your way!
I meant surface instead of touch (why after so many years, there still isn't an edit button?)
so I am the only one not interested in this device during the recession?
yes.
btw, its people like you who are perpetuating the situation. if look at recent data, technology's still selling pretty well, all things considered.
Just do not mortgage your house to buy it.
I'm completely interested. I refuse to be part of the mental clusterf*ck depression, perpetuated by the herd mentality. How f-ed up do you need to be to be like "the market is the worst it's ever been, great time to cash out." Yeah, mmhmm.
If that market research was done in person I'm sure it drew a lot of confused looks.
"Excuse me sir, I'd like to ask you a few questions about a potential product: called Oahu!"
"Bless you!"
"Eh?"
"What?"
"Err...nevermind..."
*Asks someone else instead*
Copying apple on multi-touch gestures, aren't we?
ummm...no utilizing the system known as multi touch to create an awesome product.
and if apple had thought of this first? well you'd lay down and die before you let anyone think it is a bad idea.
does it still require an elaborate set of cameras?
If they're going to make it thinner, probably not...
The way it looks from the concept shot, I'm hoping that it is thinner and portable, like a tablet PC with multitouch...
It didn't before, why would it now?
@ kjb434
Well, the original Surface used multiple cameras for a complex DI setup... So, in a way jon is right.
if it does all the wireless crap the Surface does, I'll take one. Come home, set down the phone/mp3 player/digital cam on it, let it wirelessly sync everything. Maybe even the laptop.
Use it as a central media storage, view photos, store movies and stream them to the HDTV, store music and stream to the stereo.
Basically a home server with a large touch interface that interfaces with wireless devices without plugging in.
Agreed, the most awesome would be if they integrated some kind of wireless short range charging solution.
About the HD movies...how about making the multi-touch screen HD (possible?) and allow it to flip up...sorta like a backwards laptop. That way you could have the option of watching them on it. Since some people still don't have an HDTV like me...course I'm still a minor so I blame my parents for that. :P
$1500??? Maybe, if the thing has a good resolution, then maybe...
You know, an Apple Macbook Pro costs more, and isn't as impressive as this...
mmm... this thing could add a whole new dimension of "touch" for all the goatse fans out there.
Looking down to watch a movie or surf the Internet? PREPOSTEROUS!
I see this device and all I can think of is "AAAAAH MY SORE NECK!"
This a simply a touch screen pc laid out on it's back. Not impressed with this.
in all the time Surface has been out, I haven't once see anything related to surfing the net or watching movies. The closest thing I've seen the the internet in previews is getting directions or information on a place of interest. You do know computers are capable of doing far more things than looking at porn.
Looking down to read a news paper or write a note? PREPOSTEROUS!
I see this table and all I can think of is "AAAAAH MY SORE NECK!"
This a simply a vertical board on legs. Not impressed with this.
I can't wait for this. I liked that feature where you just lay your smart phone on the screen and it pulls up the menus and the ability to transfer files.
So useful! 8^)
Hell yes.
It needs a hard surface that can be built into a kitchen bench top. Be able to spill coffee on it, put plates and on it etc.
And also, the Computer part of this needs to be separate from the screen. If I am going to build this into my house, I am going to want to upgrade the CPU every few years.
As for uses... the days Calendar, Contacts, Web browsing, Skype, Maps, Video and Music... all the stuff you use your computer for, but built into the kitchen rather than in a Laptop.
Heck yes.
I would only spend $1,499 if it works with my Mac, iPhone, iPod, apple TV, buy movies and music off of iTunes, and if EA makes a really cool C&C game for it.
Well, Zune software instead of iTunes, of course.
That would be cool enough to make me actually buy a Zune.
i wonder why they would name something after this island....
I think surface is a great product and all but now i see that they have gone from a so called Big Ass Table to a Dishpan. Would they be including Windows 7 Dishpan Edition? Can't wait to make some cake on it.
If I got one of these, my cat would lay on it.
Relevant? No...
Or just give VIsta better touchscreen support and let the market handle this niche.
In all honesty, Microsoft needs to realize that they are way outclassed by Apple in user interface innovation. What Microsoft should do is just sit back and let Apple spend the resources (and headache) inventing a next-generation multi-touch gesture input paradigm and then basically copy their system so future Windows and OSX versions have compatible interfaces. Don't get me wrong, I'm not an MS hater, nor an Apple fanboy. I'm a .NET developer, and believe Microsoft has great enterprise and server products, they just need new leadership and direction on the client versions of Windows. Anyways, we all know that whatever the problem may be, Microsoft's UI team just doesn't get it most of the time. I'm not talking about slick graphics and color schemes, which many people confuse with user interface design. I'm talking about usability, intuitiveness and consistency -- three major aspects of user interface design which most of us can agree that MS just cannot get right. So why spend all the time and headache?? Let Apple do what they do best. Perhaps MS and Apple could even agree to create an ISO standardization of multi-touch gesture controls or something. The last thing we all need are two entirely different, competing user interface paradigms that are trying to replace the mouse.....
BTW, regarding Windows, I think MS needs to just wipe the slate clean of Win32 and legacy crud, and just use a simple virtualization layer to run old Apps. They can keep many of the Vista software stacks (driver model, networking, etc) but optimize the kernel for parallel processing and integrate .NET 4.0 into the foundation of windows 7.
A different perspective might bring up even better ideas.
Just make it small enough to fit in my pocket and drop the price to $199.... oh wait. ;-)
In all seriousness, though, the concept is cool and it looks like they are trying to move it closer to a realistic market positioning. Will be interesting to see if it gains traction.
Btw, I am surprised that they are just now coming out with a Surface SDK. They took almost as long as Apple - except without any really useful built-in applications to start with.
i love microsoft's codenames..always referencing ideal vacation spots..and always appropriate for the purpose:
oahu means "the gathering place"..a great fit for a multi-user device.