Microsoft hints at possible "Oahu" consumer Surface device

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.

[pavlindrom @ Oct 14th 2008 5:00PM]

Whoa there Micro, you saying what? I'd buy it!

[Anthony @ Oct 14th 2008 6:23PM]

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.

[c-dub @ Oct 14th 2008 5:02PM]

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/

[mailbox01 @ Oct 14th 2008 5:03PM]

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.

[Ekauq @ Oct 14th 2008 5:07PM]

this is just the new multi touch trackpad for windows 7

[Alex Padilla @ Oct 14th 2008 5:06PM]

I'd buy it. Microsoft, if you want a beta tester, give me a call.

[Jay @ Oct 14th 2008 5:09PM]

This table top computing system reminds me of the devices used in the book Enders Game by Orson Scott

[jammy @ Oct 14th 2008 5:51PM]

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!

[miko34 @ Oct 14th 2008 5:10PM]

$1,199.98 and maybe I'll buy one.

We're already bored with Surface (it should've been kept more of a secret).

[Sarig @ Oct 14th 2008 6:18PM]

Speak for yourself, I don't get bored when manufactors are somewhat informative instead of denying everything to get some viral advertising going.

[miko34 @ Oct 15th 2008 4:03AM]

I was trying to get the big M to lower the price by saying we're bored of it.
Jeez ... thanks for ruining everything.

[chrisaroz @ Oct 14th 2008 5:13PM]

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.

[kjb434 @ Oct 14th 2008 6:11PM]

The market is for commercial which is much larger and more crucial than the personal computer market.

[WixosTrix @ Oct 14th 2008 6:19PM]

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.

[Decoy @ Oct 14th 2008 5:14PM]

What applications could this have?

Touch air hockey?
Elbows off the table alarm?
Coffee getting cold alarm.
Mood lights?

[Abuzar Baloach @ Oct 14th 2008 5:16PM]

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.

[Stevo @ Oct 14th 2008 5:33PM]

Love the TMNT avatar.

[kjb434 @ Oct 14th 2008 6:13PM]

The uses would be endless.

Conference rooms for businesses, restaurant tables, museums, ordering your own damn fast food...

[Valicore @ Oct 14th 2008 6:26PM]

Wow, 4 people?!?!? Does that mean even when families sit down to the dinner table together they wont talk to each other?

[DarkLord7854 @ Oct 14th 2008 5:15PM]

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)

[Vander @ Oct 14th 2008 5:19PM]

Already saving.

[Samboini @ Oct 14th 2008 6:02PM]

Saving what exactly? The whales? Footballs? Humanity?

[AnonymousCoward @ Oct 14th 2008 5:21PM]

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!

[AnonymousCoward @ Oct 14th 2008 5:23PM]

I meant surface instead of touch (why after so many years, there still isn't an edit button?)

[htd @ Oct 14th 2008 5:21PM]

so I am the only one not interested in this device during the recession?

[a ham sandwich @ Oct 14th 2008 5:32PM]

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.

[Vander @ Oct 14th 2008 5:59PM]

Just do not mortgage your house to buy it.

[Valicore @ Oct 14th 2008 6:32PM]

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.

[404 @ Oct 14th 2008 5:22PM]

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*

[iKurt @ Oct 14th 2008 5:29PM]

Copying apple on multi-touch gestures, aren't we?

[systm dsk @ Oct 14th 2008 5:34PM]

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.

[jon @ Oct 14th 2008 5:30PM]

does it still require an elaborate set of cameras?

[Tokume @ Oct 14th 2008 5:55PM]

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...

[kjb434 @ Oct 14th 2008 6:14PM]

It didn't before, why would it now?

[Tokume @ Oct 14th 2008 6:25PM]

@ kjb434
Well, the original Surface used multiple cameras for a complex DI setup... So, in a way jon is right.

[coffee @ Oct 14th 2008 5:32PM]

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.

[Valicore @ Oct 14th 2008 6:34PM]

Agreed, the most awesome would be if they integrated some kind of wireless short range charging solution.

[Cody @ Oct 14th 2008 6:56PM]

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

[Sam Zebian @ Oct 14th 2008 5:32PM]

$1500??? Maybe, if the thing has a good resolution, then maybe...

[pavlindrom @ Oct 15th 2008 8:59AM]

You know, an Apple Macbook Pro costs more, and isn't as impressive as this...

[Shea @ Oct 14th 2008 5:32PM]

mmm... this thing could add a whole new dimension of "touch" for all the goatse fans out there.

[Brent @ Oct 14th 2008 5:40PM]

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.

[WixosTrix @ Oct 14th 2008 6:26PM]

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.

[Troels C @ Oct 14th 2008 7:40PM]

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.

[timothy.brazer @ Oct 14th 2008 5:59PM]

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^)

[Greg Mcp @ Oct 14th 2008 6:36PM]

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.

[BestRN @ Oct 14th 2008 7:12PM]

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.

[Greg Mcp @ Oct 14th 2008 8:44PM]

Well, Zune software instead of iTunes, of course.
That would be cool enough to make me actually buy a Zune.

[calvin @ Oct 14th 2008 7:16PM]

i wonder why they would name something after this island....

[nick @ Oct 15th 2008 9:56AM]

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.