Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[New shear touch technology lets you skip a double-tap, push your device around (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/11/shear-touch-technology-lets-you-skip-a-double-tap/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/11/shear-touch-technology-lets-you-skip-a-double-tap/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/11/shear-touch-technology-lets-you-skip-a-double-tap/#comments Shear touch on Engadget's site

Most every touchscreen in the market today can only register your finger input as coordinates; that's fine for most uses, but it leads to a lot of double-taps and occasionally convoluted gestures. A pair of researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, Chris Harrison and Scott Hudson, have suggested that shear touch might be a smarter solution. Instead of gliding over fixed glass, your finger could handle secondary tasks by pushing in a specific direction, or simply pushing harder, on a sliding display. Among the many examples of what shear touch could do, the research duo has raised the possibility of skipping through music by pushing left and right, or scrolling more slowly through your favorite website with a forceful dragging motion. The academic paper is still far away from producing a shipping device, although a Microsoft doctoral fellowship's partial contribution to funding the study indicates one direction the technology might go. You can take a peek at the future in a video after the jump -- just don't expect a tablet-based Van Gogh this soon.

[Thanks, Chris]

Continue reading New shear touch technology lets you skip a double-tap, push your device around (video)

New shear touch technology lets you skip a double-tap, push your device around (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 May 2012 01:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Carnegie MellonCarnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegieMellonCarnegieMellonUniversityMicrosoftMicrosoft SurfaceMicrosoftSurfaceresearchsciencesurfacetouchscreentouchscreensvideoFri, 11 May 2012 01:13:00 EST<![CDATA[The Distro Interview: Microsoft Principal Researcher Bill Buxton]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/23/the-distro-interview-microsoft-principal-researcher-bill-buxton/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/23/the-distro-interview-microsoft-principal-researcher-bill-buxton/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/23/the-distro-interview-microsoft-principal-researcher-bill-buxton/#comments The Distro Interview: Microsoft Principal Researcher Bill Buxton

Bill Buxton has spent most of his career getting between humans and computers. While his initial focus was on music and digital instruments, that eventually led to an interest in human-computer interaction, and pioneering work with multitouch systems and other user interfaces. He worked with the famed hotbed of innovation Xerox PARC in the late 1980s and early 90s, and was later Chief Scientist for software firm Alias Wavefront before claiming the same title at SGI Inc. when that company acquired the former in 1995. After a time running his own Toronto-based design and consulting firm, he moved on to Microsoft Research in 2005, where he continues to serve as the organization's Principal Researcher.

We recently had a chance to pick his brain and get his thoughts on a range of issues, including state of design at Microsoft, the future of natural user interfaces, and whether we're really entering a "post-PC" era.

Continue reading The Distro Interview: Microsoft Principal Researcher Bill Buxton

The Distro Interview: Microsoft Principal Researcher Bill Buxton originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill buxtonBillBuxtonbuxtondesigndistro interviewDistroInterviewinterviewmicrosoftmicrosoft researchmicrosoft surfaceMicrosoftResearchMicrosoftSurfaceMSRnatural uinatural user interfaceNaturalUiNaturalUserInterfaceNUIsurfaceMon, 23 Apr 2012 14:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Surface 2.0 now shipping, packing PixelSense and Gorilla Glass]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/16/surface-2-0-now-shipping-packing-pixelsense-and-gorilla-glass/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/16/surface-2-0-now-shipping-packing-pixelsense-and-gorilla-glass/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/16/surface-2-0-now-shipping-packing-pixelsense-and-gorilla-glass/#comments Surface 2.0Samsung's SUR40 has been a long time coming. The 40-inch next-gen Surface was unveiled at CES 2011, but it's only just now starting to ship, following the 2012 edition of that gadget show. It finally went up for pre-order in mid-November for $8,400, but at the time we still had no clear date for shipments. Those of you waiting impatiently to get your table-PC can rest easy however, as the AMD-based Win7 machine should already be en route to your doorstep -- provided you coughed up the cash one of course. We guess it was just a matter of finally getting that sensor-in-pixel tech worked out. Head on after the break for the full PR.

Continue reading Surface 2.0 now shipping, packing PixelSense and Gorilla Glass

Surface 2.0 now shipping, packing PixelSense and Gorilla Glass originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmicrosoft SurfaceMicrosoft Surface 2.0MicrosoftSurfaceMicrosoftSurface2.0now shippingNowShippingsamsungsamsung sur40SamsungSur40shippingsurfacesurface 2.0Surface2.0Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung 'Optical Sensor in Pixel' LCDs rolling out, ready for Surface 2.0]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/02/samsung-optical-sensor-in-pixel-lcds-rolling-out-ready-for-su/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/02/samsung-optical-sensor-in-pixel-lcds-rolling-out-ready-for-su/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/02/samsung-optical-sensor-in-pixel-lcds-rolling-out-ready-for-su/#comments Samsung SUR40
With Samsung's Microsoft Surface product, the SUR40, already available for pre-order, the company says its 1080p 40-inch "Optical Sensor in Pixel" LCD panels have gone into mass production. Those optical sensors help to more accurately interpret multi-touch input without interrupting display signals, offering a more fluid, interactive experience. Tempered glass overlaying the display supports 176 pounds of load and up to 50 touch points at once, which should be more than enough for a Pacific Giant Octopus or any jerk that leans on your $8K table. While the SUR40 is certainly a showcase device for these panels, it isn't the only practical application -- Samsung says it's thin enough and light enough to wall-mount, and hopes to see it used by stock brokers, financial analysts and schools.

Continue reading Samsung 'Optical Sensor in Pixel' LCDs rolling out, ready for Surface 2.0

Samsung 'Optical Sensor in Pixel' LCDs rolling out, ready for Surface 2.0 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kiosklcdMicrosoftMicrosoft Surfaceoptical sensor in pixelOpticalSensorInPixelsamsungSamsung Electronicssamsung sur 40SamsungSur40sur40surfacesurface 2.0Surface2.0touchscreenFri, 02 Dec 2011 19:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface available for pre-order in 23 countries, expected to ship in 2012]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/17/samsung-sur40-for-microsoft-surface-available-for-pre-order-in-2/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/17/samsung-sur40-for-microsoft-surface-available-for-pre-order-in-2/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/17/samsung-sur40-for-microsoft-surface-available-for-pre-order-in-2/#comments Microsoft's Surface hasn't exactly exploded on the sales figure front, but with next-gen model pricing estimated at $7,600 $8,400 and limited availability, we're not surprised that the table of the future hasn't begun popping up in hotels and retails stores the world over. That may slowly change, however, with one of the most recent models -- Samsung's SUR40 -- finally coming up for pre-order today. Enterprise customers (or deep-pocketed individuals) can reach out to dedicated sales reps in any of 23 countries to place an order, including the U.S. and Canada, parts of Asia, and most of Europe. An exact ship date has yet to be released, but don't expect the 40-inch 1080p multitouch table to start popping up until early next year. Want to start touching and tapping today? Check out our hands-on with an early SUR40 from CES.

Update: Microsoft wrote in to let us know that pricing has jumped a bit -- to $8,400 -- since this year's earlier estimate. International pricing will vary by country.

Continue reading Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface available for pre-order in 23 countries, expected to ship in 2012

Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface available for pre-order in 23 countries, expected to ship in 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080pamdmicrosoftmicrosoft surfaceMicrosoftSurfacepre-orderpreorderSamsungsamsung sur 40Samsung SUR40samsung sur40 for microsoft surfaceSamsungSur40SamsungSur40ForMicrosoftSurfacesur 40SUR40surfacesurface 2surface 2.0Surface2Surface2.0Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Research celebrates 20 years of crazy innovation]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/28/microsoft-research-celebrates-20-years-of-crazy-innovation/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/28/microsoft-research-celebrates-20-years-of-crazy-innovation/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/28/microsoft-research-celebrates-20-years-of-crazy-innovation/#comments Microsoft Research was founded way back in 1991 as a way of turning cutting edge concepts into products. Over the years, the division has been behind some of the most exciting ideas that have come out of Redmond, from fluffy mice to HIV / AIDS research. The department is celebrating its 20th anniversary by highlighting some of its favorite projects over the next four weeks, so we're beating it to the punch with some of picks. Check out our list below.

Continue reading Microsoft Research celebrates 20 years of crazy innovation

Microsoft Research celebrates 20 years of crazy innovation originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 01:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20 years20th anniversary20thAnniversary20Yearsanniversarye booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readere-readersmicrosoftmicrosoft researchMicrosoftResearchredmondresearchsurfaceWed, 28 Sep 2011 01:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Meet Patty, Microsoft's Surface 2.0 stress test robot]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/19/meet-patty-microsofts-surface-2-0-stress-test-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/19/meet-patty-microsofts-surface-2-0-stress-test-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/19/meet-patty-microsofts-surface-2-0-stress-test-robot/#comments Locked behind a gated fence and unseen by the public until now, lives Patty, Microsoft's Surface 2.0 stress test robot. Designed to see just how much Gates' touchscreen can take, this lady bot uses 80 compressed air-driven probes, six motors and a robotic moving head to apply maximum stress to the display. It works as such: by giving Patty a command, engineers can move probes across the screen at 25 inches per second -- mimicking the movement of fingers, hands and whatever else it might encounter IRL. With so much multitasking, it's no wonder she comes with a giant red emergency stop button -- just in case. See Patty do her thing by hitting the source link below.

Meet Patty, Microsoft's Surface 2.0 stress test robot originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 02:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gesturegesturesmicrosoftmicrosoft surfaceMicrosoftSurfacemultitaskingmultitasking gestureMultitaskingGesturepattyrobotstres testsstress teststress test robotstress testsStressTestRobotStresTestssurfacesurface 2.0Surface2.0Fri, 19 Aug 2011 02:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Surface-controlled robots to boldly go where rescuers have gone before (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/microsoft-surface-controlled-robots-to-boldly-go-where-rescuers/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/microsoft-surface-controlled-robots-to-boldly-go-where-rescuers/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/microsoft-surface-controlled-robots-to-boldly-go-where-rescuers/#comments Ready to get hands-on in the danger zone -- from afar? That's precisely what an enterprising team of University of Massachusetts Lowell researchers are working to achieve with a little Redmond-supplied assistance. The Robotics Lab project, dubbed the Dynamically Resizing Ergonomic and Multi-touch (DREAM) Controller, makes use of Microsoft's Surface and Robotics Developer Studio to deploy and coordinate gesture-controlled search-and-rescue bots for potentially hazardous emergency response situations. Developed by Prof. Holly Yanco and Mark Micire, the tech's Natural User Interface maps a virtual joystick to a user's fingertips, delegating movement control to one hand and vision to the other -- much like an Xbox controller. The project's been under development for some time, having already aided rescue efforts during Hurricane Katrina, and with future refinements, could sufficiently lower the element of risk for first responders. Head past the break for a video demonstration of this life-saving research.

Continue reading Microsoft Surface-controlled robots to boldly go where rescuers have gone before (video)

Microsoft Surface-controlled robots to boldly go where rescuers have gone before (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DREAM ControllerDreamControlleremergency respondersemergency responseEmergencyRespondersEmergencyResponseGesture ControlGestureControlgesturesHolly YancoHollyYancoMark MicireMarkMicireMicrosoftMicrosoft ResearchMicrosoft Robotics Developer StudioMicrosoft SurfaceMicrosoftResearchMicrosoftRoboticsDeveloperStudioMicrosoftSurfaceresearchresearchersrobotRobotics Developer StudioRobotics LabRoboticsDeveloperStudioRoboticsLabrobotsSurfaceUMLUniversity of Massachusetts LowellUniversityOfMassachusettsLowellvideoThu, 11 Aug 2011 18:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's Rock and Rails touchscreen lets you massage your photos with both hands]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/11/microsofts-rock-and-rails-touchscreen-lets-you-massage-your-pho/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/11/microsofts-rock-and-rails-touchscreen-lets-you-massage-your-pho/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/11/microsofts-rock-and-rails-touchscreen-lets-you-massage-your-pho/#comments If you ever get tired of poking away at your smartphone's screen like a doorbell, you're not alone. The forward-looking folks over at Microsoft Research have been working away at a new touchscreen system designed pick up on more natural, whole-hand movements, effectively allowing users to break free from the finger-based paradigm that governs most tactile devices. Developed in coordination with engineers at Microsoft Surface, the company's Rock and Rails interface can detect three basic hand gestures: a balled fist, which holds items on the screen, an extended hand that can align objects (see the cell marked "d," on the right) and a curved paw, around which users can pivot images (see cell b). This taxonomy opens up new ways for users to crop, re-size or generally play around with their UI elements, though it remains unclear whether the display will trickle down to the consumer level anytime soon. For now, it appears to operate exclusively on the Surface, but more details should surface when the system's developers release a paper on their project, later this year. Hit the source links to see a video of the thing in action.

Microsoft's Rock and Rails touchscreen lets you massage your photos with both hands originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 May 2011 00:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cropshandimagesinterfaceMicrosoftMicrosoft Researchmicrosoft rock and railsMicrosoft SurfaceMicrosoftResearchMicrosoftRockAndRailsMicrosoftSurfaceresearchrock railsrock and railsRockAndRailsRockRailsscreensurfacetactiletouchscreenUIWed, 11 May 2011 00:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Surface SDK gets input simulator, opens doors to indie devs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/04/surface-sdk-gets-input-simulator-opens-doors-to-indie-devs/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/04/surface-sdk-gets-input-simulator-opens-doors-to-indie-devs/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/04/surface-sdk-gets-input-simulator-opens-doors-to-indie-devs/#commentsMicrosoft Surface Input Simulator There's one big, table-shaped obstacle to developing apps for Microsoft's Surface: you kind of have to own one. A new Surface 2 SDK, landing this summer, will sidestep that problem with an input simulator so devs can test their code on any Windows 7 PC. You can tap fingers, place tags, or paint "blobs" for your virtual SUR 40 to interact with, and even fake multitouch gestures by "stamping" a finger in one spot then moving a second one. If the Surface you're programming for happens to be movable (though we're not sure who would put a $7,600 computer on hinges) you can also alter the tilt of the display to trigger UI changes. You'll still need access to one of these behemoths to make sure your wares work in the really real world, but at least the preliminary work can be done on any old laptop or desktop. Frankly, this is something we'd have thought would be included from day one -- as they say, better late than never.

Surface SDK gets input simulator, opens doors to indie devs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 May 2011 22:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developmentmicrosoftmicrosoft surfaceMicrosoftSurfacemultitouchsdkSUR40surfacesurface 2surface 2 sdksurface 2.0surface input simulatorSurface2Surface2.0Surface2SdkSurfaceInputSimulatorWed, 04 May 2011 22:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's home of the future lulls teens to sleep with tweets (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/03/microsofts-home-of-the-future-lulls-teens-to-sleep-with-tweets/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/03/microsofts-home-of-the-future-lulls-teens-to-sleep-with-tweets/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/03/microsofts-home-of-the-future-lulls-teens-to-sleep-with-tweets/#commentsMicrosoft Home Microsoft Home is a sort of "world of tomorrow" for the computer nerd set where Surface takes the place of video phones and dinner pills. The only difference is that, unlike those World's Fair staples, Redmond's vision of the not-so-distant future isn't open to the public. This is a private testing ground where researchers can try out concepts, like a watch that records health data and syncs it with your home network or a media center that can analyze video and identify products and locations featured on screen. You might not be able to swing by the campus and visit, but you can catch a glimpse of suburban life in 2025 -- populated by touchscreen wireless charging trays and interactive walls -- in the video after the break. We'll take it all, except the wallpaper -- we don't need #winning tweets floating overhead while we try to get some shut-eye.

[Thanks, Vygantas]

Continue reading Microsoft's home of the future lulls teens to sleep with tweets (video)

Microsoft's home of the future lulls teens to sleep with tweets (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 May 2011 11:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital wallpaperDigitalWallpaperfuturehome of the futureHomeOfTheFutureinteractive wallpaperInteractiveWallpapermicrosoftmicrosoft homeMicrosoftHomesurfacetwittervideowireless chargingWirelessChargingTue, 03 May 2011 11:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Research teases Windows Phones controlling Surfaces and crazy desktop UIs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/25/microsoft-research-teases-windows-phones-controlling-surfaces-an/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/25/microsoft-research-teases-windows-phones-controlling-surfaces-an/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/25/microsoft-research-teases-windows-phones-controlling-surfaces-an/#comments Hey, look, at this point, we just want ourselves some good, old-fashioned copy and paste -- but we'll give Microsoft some credit for looking a year (or two, or ten) beyond that watermark at what could be coming down the pike for human-machine interaction -- and specifically, how phones could play a role. In a presentation and promotional video pulled together this week, Microsoft Research boss Craig Mundie shows how you could tilt your smartphone to control a bubbly, colorful look into your personal life on your desktop machine and how you could snap a photo and then drop the handset onto a Surface for instant transfer (perhaps a bit like HP's Touch to Share), among other gems. Of course, this is all pure research at this point -- it's any guess whether these comments could make the jump to production, and if so, when -- but it's fun to watch. Follow the break for video.

[Thanks, Jake]

Continue reading Microsoft Research teases Windows Phones controlling Surfaces and crazy desktop UIs

Microsoft Research teases Windows Phones controlling Surfaces and crazy desktop UIs originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craig mundieCraigMundiemicrosoftmicrosoft researchMicrosoftResearchresearchsurfacevideowindows phonewindows phone 7WindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7wp7Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's Surface becomes the world's biggest remote control for the AR.Drone (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/microsofts-surface-becomes-the-worlds-biggest-remote-control-f/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/microsofts-surface-becomes-the-worlds-biggest-remote-control-f/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/microsofts-surface-becomes-the-worlds-biggest-remote-control-f/#comments Whether it's sheer boredom or the pursuit for something awesome, we really don't care -- the motivation behind writing software to allow Microsoft's Surface to control Parrot's AR.Drone is as immaterial as the wireless connection between the two devices. Jump past the break for video of this pair of much-loved niche machines getting their groove on.

Continue reading Microsoft's Surface becomes the world's biggest remote control for the AR.Drone (video)

Microsoft's Surface becomes the world's biggest remote control for the AR.Drone (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 07:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ar dronear.droneArDronedevelopmentfrancefrenchhackhackingmicrosoftmicrosoft surfaceMicrosoftSurfacemodmoddingparrotparrot ar droneParrotArDronequadrocopterquadrotorresearchsoftwaresurfacevideoThu, 27 Jan 2011 07:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Amnesia Razorfish Connect lets your smartphone share your Surface]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/26/amnesia-razorfish-connect-lets-your-smartphone-share-your-surfac/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/26/amnesia-razorfish-connect-lets-your-smartphone-share-your-surfac/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/26/amnesia-razorfish-connect-lets-your-smartphone-share-your-surfac/#comments It's practicality may be a bit questionable until folks actually start using Surfaces in their homes, but Amnesia Razorfish has now produced a rather unique way to share content between your smartphone and Microsoft's would-be household device. The basic idea is fairly simple: just place your smartphone (or tablet) on the Surface, and then simply drag photos and other documents directly onto the device (where you can also, incidentally, preview them instantly). Exactly how that's done isn't clear, but the company says the so-called "Connect" system "utilizes a range of technologies including WiFi, Bluetooth, proximity detection, unique ID and phone accelerometer, depending on the type of phone and location." Somewhat ironically, the system only works with iOS devices at the moment, but Amnesia Razorfish says it's hard at work on bringing it to Android, Windows Phone, and BlackBerry as well. Head on past the break for the video.

Update: The lead developer on Amnesia Connect just chimed in to let us know that the system doesn't actually use Bluetooth, and that it relies on a parallel Tcp- and Udp-Socket connection to get the screen syncing "as close as possible to realtime." Any devices simply need to join the open WiFi network created by the Surface and then launch the app.

Continue reading Amnesia Razorfish Connect lets your smartphone share your Surface

Amnesia Razorfish Connect lets your smartphone share your Surface originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amnesia connectamnesia razorfishamnesia razorfish connectAmnesiaConnectAmnesiaRazorfishAmnesiaRazorfishConnectiosmicrosoftmicrosoft surfaceMicrosoftSurfacesmartphonesmartphonessurfacevideoWed, 26 Jan 2011 20:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface hands-on with video! (update)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/07/samsung-sur40-for-microsoft-surface-hands-on-with-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/07/samsung-sur40-for-microsoft-surface-hands-on-with-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/07/samsung-sur40-for-microsoft-surface-hands-on-with-video/#comments Microsoft offered a brief glimpse of its revised Surface earlier this week at the Ballmer keynote, but now we've had a chance to check the Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface (as its officially termed) for ourselves. The "2.0 experience" firmware is early and a bit buggy right now (especially with finger input), but there's plenty of time fix that up before its launch later this year. The hardware itself is much thinner, with a 4-inch profile that can now be placed vertically against the wall (although we suggest using the stylish legs when possible). The 40-inch 1920 x 1080 gorilla glass display was crisp as all out, but since we could get close and scrutinize, you'll definitely notice the pixels. The first demo we got to see is also probably the most impressive, wherein a paper with "I can see" written on it is scanned and read very clearly (a dev monitor was hooked up to show what Surface could "see"). Meanwhile, we couldn't help but touch every point to watch the ripple effect emanate from our fingers.

Apps are arranged in a row that you can sift through or rotate 180 degrees for someone facing opposite. We kept accidentally opening apps when we tried to scroll through, which is annoying but again, we were reminded it's early firmware. Some of the apps we have seen before with the original Surface -- some changes are required to make compatible, but we're told it's a fairly smooth transition process. Some highlights from what we saw:
  • Bing, which for now only does image search (maps and local to come). The screen right now is a bit too sensitive and would detect sleeves as much as it would our fingers (you can see typos galore in the gallery). Images are scattered about a new results widget, and you can move around a bit from there or pull out individual ones to rotate and scan.
  • A Red Bull with a printed code on the bottom that launches on-screen prompts for videos that you can smoothly rotate and scale on the fly, and a RBC Royal Bank that'll make you feel really guilty about that cup of coffee from this morning.
  • Oldies like Social Stream, Garibaldi Panorama, and Galactic Alliance.
Another plus for the SUR40? It's cheaper than its predecessor -- but at $7,600, it's still not ready for consumer market. We've got a ton of pics below and video after the break!

Update: We've added our full impressions and cleaned up the footage after the break. Enjoy!

Gallery: Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface hands-on

Continue reading Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface hands-on with video! (update)

Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface hands-on with video! (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces 2011ces2011hands-onmicrosoftmicrosoft surfaceMicrosoftSurfacesamsung sur 40samsung sur40 for microsoft surfaceSamsungSur40SamsungSur40ForMicrosoftSurfacesur 40Sur40surfacesurface 2surface 2.0Surface2Surface2.0videoFri, 07 Jan 2011 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft and Samsung unveil SUR40, the 'Surface 2.0 Experience' you still can't buy (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/microsoft-and-samsung-unveil-sur40-the-surface-2-0-experience/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/microsoft-and-samsung-unveil-sur40-the-surface-2-0-experience/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/microsoft-and-samsung-unveil-sur40-the-surface-2-0-experience/#commentsMicrosoft and Samsung unveil SUR40, the It's been years since Microsoft first wowed us with Surface, years that we've been looking at cool applications for the smart tables, but still Microsoft thinks you aren't ready. Or aren't rich enough, anyway. Samsung has unveiled the "SUR40 with Microsoft Surface," a third-party implementation and what's being called the "2.0 Experience." On the outside things look a bit different, with a variety of pedestals that the thing can be mounted to, including one with two wood panels that flow up to cradle the display. But, if you like, the 40-inch, 1080p screen and the 2.9GHz AMD Athlon II X2 processor and Radeon HD 6700M behind it is now wall-mountable, meaning it really isn't technically a smart table at all. Up top the interface looks more polished and refined, and naturally Windows Phone 7 support has been added, as you can see in the video below. It all looks rather good, we think, but it's all rather focused on businesses as ever.

Continue reading Microsoft and Samsung unveil SUR40, the 'Surface 2.0 Experience' you still can't buy (video)

Microsoft and Samsung unveil SUR40, the 'Surface 2.0 Experience' you still can't buy (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 09:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080pamdcesces 2011ces2011microsoftsamsungsur40surfacesurface 2.0surface experienceSurface2.0SurfaceExperiencewall-mountablewindows phone 7WindowsPhone7Thu, 06 Jan 2011 09:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft shows off next generation of Surface, has per-pixel touch detection]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/05/microsoft-shows-off-next-generation-of-surface-has-per-pixel-to/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/05/microsoft-shows-off-next-generation-of-surface-has-per-pixel-to/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/05/microsoft-shows-off-next-generation-of-surface-has-per-pixel-to/#comments Microsoft's Surface still isn't for consumers, but it's getting a whole lot wilder. We just saw the next generation of Surface, which has infrared "pixel sense" detection in each pixel, meaning instead of multiple single points of touch, the screen can image your entire hand in all its detail. This should allow for some pretty wild UI improvements, but Microsoft's primary demo was the tried-and-true rippling water effect. The technology was developed in conjunction with Samsung, and measures four inches thick -- it's obviously not going into your next tablet. Under the hood is an AMD CPU / GPU combo. The wildest part, however, is pictured above: placing a piece of paper with writing on it on top of the screen / sensor lets you "scan" the contents of that piece of paper. Microsoft showed us a demo of a bank application that lets you swipe a mailer up against the screen and have it be detected and read by the screen. As for a release, there's no word on when this is coming out, but Microsoft says it will be cheaper than the current generation of Surface when it does. We asked about the potential for this sort of technology in smaller form factors, and were told it only scales down to around 24-inches, and we really get the feeling that Microsoft doesn't have any plans to bring Surface to Joe Consumer any time soon.

Gallery: Microsoft shows off next generation of Surface

Microsoft shows off next generation of Surface, has per-pixel touch detection originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewscesces 2011ces2011microsoftmicrosoft surfaceMicrosoftSurfacesurfacesurface 2Surface2touchscreenWed, 05 Jan 2011 17:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft lands its largest ever Surface order... from a karaoke bar (update: new video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/14/microsoft-lands-its-largest-ever-surface-order-from-a-karaoke/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/14/microsoft-lands-its-largest-ever-surface-order-from-a-karaoke/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/14/microsoft-lands-its-largest-ever-surface-order-from-a-karaoke/#comments There's not much to see right now, but it appears that Red MR is well on its way to becoming one of the most advanced (and probably the most amusing) karaoke bars in the world. Ahead of its Hong Kong debut this Saturday, said company has already installed six Surfaces in its two bars, and is aiming to fit more to fill up all 80 rooms -- and that number could go up to 300 in the near future -- once Microsoft has ramped up production. With Red MR's customized software (still under wraps), customers will be able to pick songs, order food, watch TV, and play games on the Surface while listening to a drunk rendition of My Heart Will Go On. Oh, and there'll also be a few Kinects dotted around the bars, but it's not exactly clear whether they'll be in the rooms as well. Anyhow, we'll be flying out to Hong Kong to check it out later this week, so stay tuned. For now, you can watch a demo of the Surface's Liar's Dice game after the break.

Update: Our friends over at M.I.C Gadget found a video from Apple Daily that teases the karaoke UI. Have a look after the jump.

Continue reading Microsoft lands its largest ever Surface order... from a karaoke bar (update: new video)

Microsoft lands its largest ever Surface order... from a karaoke bar (update: new video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>azurechinahong kongHongKongkaraokekaraoke barKaraokeBarkinectmicrosoftmicrosoft azuremicrosoft surfaceMicrosoftAzureMicrosoftSurfacemultitouchmultitouch tableMultitouchTablered mrRedMrsurfacevideowindows azurewindows phone 7WindowsAzureWindowsPhone7xboxxbox 360xbox kinectXbox360XboxKinectTue, 14 Dec 2010 12:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft LightSpace brings Surface (plus shadows) to any table (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/04/microsoft-lightspace-brings-surface-plus-shadows-to-any-table/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/04/microsoft-lightspace-brings-surface-plus-shadows-to-any-table/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/04/microsoft-lightspace-brings-surface-plus-shadows-to-any-table/#commentsMicrosoft LightSpace brings Surface (plus shadows) to any table (video) It's hard not to love the crazy stuff happening at Microsoft Research, but it's also hard to imagine when any of it is going to actually start changing the way we interact with our PCs. Surface was bested by SecondLight as the coolest tech we can't buy, and now here comes another successor: LightSpace. This gets rid of the expensive table in favor of a (surely not cheap) series of projectors hanging from the ceiling paired to a 3D camera. The camera detects the relative position of things and instructs a projector to apply a Surface-like interface onto any flat surface. From there a user can literally grab any file they like and carry it over to another surface, where it will be displayed. It's all demonstrated quite handily in the video below, and while the system does look a wee bit rough at the moment, the potential is surely there. Just like it was with SecondLight, and Surface, and Courier...

Continue reading Microsoft LightSpace brings Surface (plus shadows) to any table (video)

Microsoft LightSpace brings Surface (plus shadows) to any table (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d3d camera3dCameralightspacemicrosoftmicrosoft researchMicrosoftResearchprojectionsurfacevideoMon, 04 Oct 2010 13:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Principal Researcher Bill Buxton: Surface will be in homes within three years]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/13/microsoft-principal-researcher-bill-buxton-surface-will-be-in-h/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/13/microsoft-principal-researcher-bill-buxton-surface-will-be-in-h/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/13/microsoft-principal-researcher-bill-buxton-surface-will-be-in-h/#comments Microsoft's Principal Researcher recently sat down for a very long interview with The Globe and Mail. The next big thing in tech, he says, is something like Microsoft's already available (but super expensive) Surface. So what does the next version of the Surface look like? Well, it's going to be much thinner -- "no thicker than a sheet of glass," but most importantly, it will cost much much less. The man who helped design what ultimately became Surface says that soon enough, the cameras will be embedded within the device itself, making it a low-cost, in home product rather than the niche product it is today. Buxton also said in the interview that he thinks we'll begin seeing home implementation within the next three years. We sure hope that he's correct.

Microsoft Principal Researcher Bill Buxton: Surface will be in homes within three years originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill buxtonBillBuxtonmicrosoftsurfacetechnologythe futureTheFutureMon, 13 Sep 2010 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Vodafone's Microsoft Surface: like Go Fish for phones]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/03/vodafones-microsoft-surface-like-go-fish-for-phones/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/03/vodafones-microsoft-surface-like-go-fish-for-phones/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/03/vodafones-microsoft-surface-like-go-fish-for-phones/#comments Microsoft worked with Vodafone late last year to deploy Surfaces to a few dozen stores in several European countries (much as AT&T has done in the US), and one of those units happens to be set up at the carrier's IFA booth this week. The basic idea here is that each available model appears as a card that can be twirled, resized, and flung around the screen. When the software first starts, the cards start in a deck from which you can "deal" onto the table -- but when we first approached it, the Surface had obviously already been played with because the cards were in complete disarray. Not too helpful when you're a befuddled buyer trying to browse models and make a choice from a dizzying selection of handsets, but that doesn't mean it's not cool -- if nothing else, parents, it's something to babysit the kiddies for a few minutes while you go about your business in the store. Follow the break for video of the Surface in action.

Gallery: Vodafone's Microsoft Surface: like Go Fish for phones

Continue reading Vodafone's Microsoft Surface: like Go Fish for phones

Vodafone's Microsoft Surface: like Go Fish for phones originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hands-onifaifa 2010Ifa2010microsoftmicrosoft surfaceMicrosoftSurfacesurfacevideovodafoneFri, 03 Sep 2010 16:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Multi-robot command center built around Microsoft Surface (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/28/multi-robot-command-center-built-around-microsoft-surface-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/28/multi-robot-command-center-built-around-microsoft-surface-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/28/multi-robot-command-center-built-around-microsoft-surface-video/#comments While we've given up on ever winning an online match of StarCraft II, that doesn't mean top-down unit control schemes are only for nerds in their mom's basement with their cheap rush tactics and Cheeto fingers and obscene triple digit APMs (we're not bitter or anything). In fact, we kind of like the look of this robot control interface, developed at UMass Lowell by Mark Micire as part of his PhD research. The multitouch UI puts Microsoft Surface to good use, with gestures and contextual commands that make operating an unruly group of robots look easy, and a console-inspired touch control setup for operating a single bot from a first person perspective as well. There are a couple videos after the break, the first is Mike operating an army of virtual robots, using Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio to simulate his soldiers and environment, but the second shows his first person UI guiding a real robot through a maze, in what amounts to a very, very expensive version of that Windows 95 maze screensaver.

Continue reading Multi-robot command center built around Microsoft Surface (video)

Multi-robot command center built around Microsoft Surface (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>command centerCommandCenterinterfaceinterface designInterfaceDesignmark micireMarkMiciremicrosoftMicrosoft Robot Developer Studiomicrosoft robotics developer studiomicrosoft robotics studiomicrosoft surfaceMicrosoftRobotDeveloperStudioMicrosoftRoboticsDeveloperStudioMicrosoftRoboticsStudioMicrosoftSurfacerobot developer studioRobotDeveloperStudiosurfaceuiumass lowellUmassLowellvideoSat, 28 Aug 2010 17:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft hints at touchless Surface combining camera and transparent OLED (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/29/microsoft-hints-at-touchless-surface-combining-camera-and-transp/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/29/microsoft-hints-at-touchless-surface-combining-camera-and-transp/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/29/microsoft-hints-at-touchless-surface-combining-camera-and-transp/#comments We've always wondered whether Microsoft's multitouch table would actually ever arrive, dreaming of Minority Report hijinx all the while, but after seeing what the company's Applied Sciences Group is currently cooking up -- a touchless telepresence display -- we'd rather drop that antiquated pinch-to-zoom stuff in favor of what might be Surface's next generation. Starting with one of Samsung's prototype transparent OLED panels, Microsoft dropped a sub-two-inch camera behind the glass, creating a 3D gesture control interface that tracks your every move by literally seeing through the display. Combined with that proprietary wedge-shaped lens we saw earlier this month and some good ol' Johnny Chung Lee headtracking by the man himself, we're looking at one hell of a screen. Don't you dare read another word without seeing the prototype in a trifecta of videos after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft hints at touchless Surface combining camera and transparent OLED (video)

Microsoft hints at touchless Surface combining camera and transparent OLED (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applied Sciences GroupAppliedSciencesGroupface trackingfacetrackinggesturegesture controlGesture recognitionGestureControlGestureRecognitionhead trackingheadtrackinglensMicrosoftMicrosoft Applied Sciences GroupMicrosoft SurfaceMicrosoftAppliedSciencesGroupMicrosoftSurfacemotion sensingmotion trackingMotionSensingMotionTrackingOLEDprototypesamsungsurfacetelepresencetouchlesstransparent oledTransparentOledvideowedgeTue, 29 Jun 2010 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[GestureTek intros 42-inch multitouch GestTable, your HDTV suddenly turns jealous]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/09/gesturetek-intros-42-inch-multitouch-gesttable-your-hdtv-sudden/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/09/gesturetek-intros-42-inch-multitouch-gesttable-your-hdtv-sudden/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/09/gesturetek-intros-42-inch-multitouch-gesttable-your-hdtv-sudden/#comments Still looking to snap up your own Surface? Ain't got the cheddar to buy that one that comes free with a yacht? In all honesty, we're in no position to make promises about the affordability of this one, but GestureTek is gearing up to offer the world yet another option with the curiously titled GestTable. This 42-inch beast of a table contains a multitouch LCD with a lovely 1080p resolution, which means that you could theoretically watch the next installation of the Batman series on the same surface that's holding your cup of joe. Not that we'd recommend that, but hey.... In related news, the company is introducing the new 70-inch GestDisplay, a massive freestanding multitouch panel aimed primarily at businesses looking to give prospective customers a way to interact with the wares they're about to inevitably buy. As we alluded to earlier, there's nary a mention of price, but feel free to dip into the nitty-gritty just past the break.

Continue reading GestureTek intros 42-inch multitouch GestTable, your HDTV suddenly turns jealous

GestureTek intros 42-inch multitouch GestTable, your HDTV suddenly turns jealous originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GestDisplayGestTableGesturetekInfoCommInfoComm 2010Infocomm2010microsoftMicrosoft SurfaceMicrosoftSurfacemultitouchsurfacetabletouchtouchscreenwindows touchWindowsTouchWed, 09 Jun 2010 15:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's Manual Deskterity project reveals pen and touch input, Courier's future?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/09/microsofts-manual-deskterity-project-reveals-pen-and-touch-inpu/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/09/microsofts-manual-deskterity-project-reveals-pen-and-touch-inpu/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/09/microsofts-manual-deskterity-project-reveals-pen-and-touch-inpu/#comments
Apple may have made its thoughts on the stylus clearer than ever at its iPhone OS 4 event, but it looks like Microsoft Research is intent on redefining what's possible with a little pen-based input and, if this recently-revealed video is any indication, we're not about to stop them. Dubbed Manual Deskterity, the project is currently based around a Microsoft Surface device, and shows how pen and touch input can be combined for a range of tasks that wouldn't be possible with just one or the other -- using a photo as a straight-edge (as seen above), for example, or using the pen as an X-acto knife to cut a photo while you hold it in place with your finger. Of course, while the project is currently using a Surface, it's hard not to see how it could also be applied to something like Courier, especially considering the strong emphasis on creativity that echoes the Courier demo videos. Head on past the break to check out the whole thing for yourself.

Continue reading Microsoft's Manual Deskterity project reveals pen and touch input, Courier's future?

Microsoft's Manual Deskterity project reveals pen and touch input, Courier's future? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>courierManual DeskterityManualDeskteritymicrosoftmicrosoft researchMicrosoftResearchpenpen inputpen-based inputPen-basedInputPenInputresearchsurfacetouchtouch interfaceTouchInterfacevideoFri, 09 Apr 2010 13:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Entelligence: Will Surface ever surface?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/18/entelligence-will-surface-ever-surface/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/18/entelligence-will-surface-ever-surface/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/18/entelligence-will-surface-ever-surface/#commentsEntelligence is a column by technology strategist and author Michael Gartenberg, a man whose desire for a delicious cup of coffee and a quality New York bagel is dwarfed only by his passion for tech. In these articles, he'll explore where our industry is and where it's going -- on both micro and macro levels -- with the unique wit and insight only he can provide.

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." I'd paraphrase Arthur C. Clarke's famous quote for the CE market by saying that any sufficiently advanced new product needs to look like it just came off the Starship Enterprise. I'd say Microsoft Surface was a product that met my definition as well as Clarke's when it launched a few years back -- and it should have changed computing quite a bit. Sadly, I haven't spoken to the Surface team in a long time and it looks like it may never go anywhere in the end.

The Surface concept was great. It was a Windows PC inside a table with a 30" touchscreen on top, and cameras that could sense what's happening on screen. The result is you could use a Surface device just by touching the screen with your finger -- but unlike other large touch screens at the time, Surface was multitouch, so you could use all your fingers at the same time. More importantly, multiple users could engage with each other. It was a PC but didn't look or run like a PC, which was genius -- you'd never know it was running Windows, but there was no development learning curve. It was totally optimized for that big honking touch surface area, and applications that worked with it -- I'm sure it could run Office, but that's not something it's was ever likely to do. Surface was PC evolution happening in real time. It's really something you needed to see up close and in thirty seconds before the light bulb went on. Sadly, most people have never seen or worked with a Surface unit. Beyond a small retail rollout at AT&T stores in NY that seems to have ended, the last time I saw one was the Edelman PR offices, where it sat like a large coffee table and did pretty much nothing.

Continue reading Entelligence: Will Surface ever surface?

Entelligence: Will Surface ever surface? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columncolumnsentelligencemicrosoftmicrosoft surfaceMicrosoftSurfacesurfaceThu, 18 Mar 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Research working on portable Surface]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/02/microsoft-research-working-on-portable-surface/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/02/microsoft-research-working-on-portable-surface/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/02/microsoft-research-working-on-portable-surface/#comments Microsoft's Surface has managed to carve out a small niche for itself, but there's only so many places that a large, touchscreen installation can find a home (a yacht, for instance). Microsoft Research seems to be aware of that, and it's apparently been hard at work on a more portable Surface for some time now. As you can see above (and in the video after the break), the so-called Mobile Surface would rely on a combination of a projector and a camera (and mobile phone, in this instance), which would offer about the same level of interaction as a regular Surface, and even a few advantages -- like being able to use a pair of drumsticks to play the drums. If this all seems a little familiar, it should, as Light Blue Optics and others have already employed nearly identical systems to turn any surface into a touchscreen display. Curiously, Microsoft Research has since pulled the Mobile Surface page from its website, but you can find all the pertinent details by diving into the links below.

Continue reading Microsoft Research working on portable Surface

Microsoft Research working on portable Surface originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmicrosoft researchmicrosoft surfacemicrosoft techfestMicrosoftResearchMicrosoftSurfaceMicrosoftTechfestmobile surfaceMobileSurfaceprojectorsurfacetechfestTue, 02 Mar 2010 17:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Surface SDK opens doors to all]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/20/microsoft-surface-sdk-opens-doors-to-all/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/20/microsoft-surface-sdk-opens-doors-to-all/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/20/microsoft-surface-sdk-opens-doors-to-all/#commentsHaving made the dev kit for the Surface available to select partners in June (a tiny bit late), Microsoft has now officially let the software loose for all and sundry to explore, experiment, and hopefully innovate with. Whereas Surface Developer units have been required till now to successfully design and test an app, the SDK should allow thrifty designers to produce content for the massive multitouch coffee table without necessarily owning one themselves. For the sweetest (so far) example of what can be achieved with the Surface's capabilities, click this link right here.

[Thanks, Phillis]

Microsoft Surface SDK opens doors to all originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev kitdevelopment kitDevelopmentKitDevKitmicrosoftmicrosoft surfaceMicrosoftSurfacemultitouchpdc 2009Pdc2009sdksoftwaresoftware development kitSoftwareDevelopmentKitsurfacesurface sdkSurfaceSdktouchscreenFri, 20 Nov 2009 03:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Surfacescapes puts Dungeons & Dragons on Surface, makes your d20 obsolete (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/surfacescapes-puts-dungeons-and-dragons-on-surface-makes-your-d20/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/surfacescapes-puts-dungeons-and-dragons-on-surface-makes-your-d20/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/surfacescapes-puts-dungeons-and-dragons-on-surface-makes-your-d20/#commentsSurfacescapes puts Dungeons & Dragons on Surface, makes your d20 obsolete (video) We've seen some fancy applications for Microsoft's Surface, the touchable, strokable, caressable computing device/big-ass table, but not a single one has made us twitter in nerdy glee like Surfacescapes. Created by a team at Carnegie Mellon University, it's an implementation of Dungeons & Dragons in 3D, something that has of course been done dozens and dozens of times before, but this is different. Way different. It brilliantly brings the tabletop style of play to Surface, with players moving real figurines over virtual battlefields, rolling virtual d20s and d6s to deal real damage against digital dire wolves and the like, opponents who can move and attack automatically. Sure, it takes some of the imagination out of the experience, but it'll also make re-rolling your character a heck of a lot easier -- not to mention eliminating the dungeonmaster's folder of magic, mystery, and crudely drawn maps.

Continue reading Surfacescapes puts Dungeons & Dragons on Surface, makes your d20 obsolete (video)

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Surfacescapes puts Dungeons & Dragons on Surface, makes your d20 obsolete (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carnegie mellon universityCarnegieMellonUniversitydddungeons dragonsDungeonsDragonsmicrosoftmicrosoft surfaceMicrosoftSurfacerpgsurfacesurfacescapestabletop gamestabletop gamingTabletopGamesTabletopGamingTue, 20 Oct 2009 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's office of the future features interactive walls and Surface but, sadly, no Clippy]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/07/microsofts-office-of-the-future-features-interactive-walls-and/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/07/microsofts-office-of-the-future-features-interactive-walls-and/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/07/microsofts-office-of-the-future-features-interactive-walls-and/#comments
You know, Microsoft Research isn't just about prototype tablets and the occasional multitouch mouse. No sir, it's also about designing work environments that are so impractical that you can bet you'll never see one in real life. For today's example we have a sort of Microsoft Office: no, not the productivity suite, rather a room that integrates interactive wall displays, Surface, and video conferencing. There is even an assistant / avatar for issuing voice commands, and while this demo has it played by a human being we have hopes that Clippy might be making a comeback. Ready to check it out yourself? Of course you are! The video is after the break.

[Thanks, Chris]

Continue reading Microsoft's office of the future features interactive walls and Surface but, sadly, no Clippy

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Microsoft's office of the future features interactive walls and Surface but, sadly, no Clippy originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clippydisplaysmicrosoftmicrosoft researchMicrosoftResearchoffice wallOfficeWallsurfacetouchwallWed, 07 Oct 2009 20:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's Turtle and Pure 'Pink' phones and Surface Tablet: take 2 ]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/microsoft-turtle-and-pure-project-pink-phones-and-surface-tablet/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/microsoft-turtle-and-pure-project-pink-phones-and-surface-tablet/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/microsoft-turtle-and-pure-project-pink-phones-and-surface-tablet/#comments Right on cue, Mary Jo Foley has chimed in with her expert opinion on the latest Project Pink rumor. Weekend gossip that has Microsoft and Sharp "unleashing" a pair of slider phones codenamed "Turtle" (pictured above) and "Pure" in January (likely at CES). JoFo thinks that it's possible that the rumored handsets could be announced in January, but any phone from Microsoft's Pink skunkworks project wouldn't launch until Windows Mobile 7 was ready, an OS not expected to ship on consumer devices until the end of 2010. Still, a January announce certainly aligns with the modern product buzz life-cycle: the iPhone landed six months after its unveiling while the first Google co-branded phone -- T-Mobile G1 -- took almost a year to bump hands of anxious consumers.

Foley also addressed 9to5Mac's tease of a "much, much bigger and juicier" rumor related to a Microsoft tablet in the late prototype phases. According to her sources, a new Microsoft tablet is part of something called "Alchemy Ventures" and contains at least one exec from Microsoft's Surface team and presumably led by our buddy, J Allard. You'll recall that Microsoft was already rumored to be working on "Oahu" a Surface-based tablet for consumers. So when might we see it? Mary Jo speculates that Microsoft could be waiting to see what Apple's working on before showing off Redmond's competing design. In other words: February.

[Via WMPowerUser]

Read -- "Turtle" pic
Read -- Mary-Jo Foley on Pink and Tablet

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Microsoft's Turtle and Pure 'Pink' phones and Surface Tablet: take 2 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alchemyalchemy venturesAlchemyVenturesappledangermary jo foleyMaryJoFoleymicrosoftmobileotherspinkproject pinkProjectPinkpurerumorskunkworksspeculationsurfacetabletturtlewindows mobilewindows mobile 7windowsmobileWindowsMobile7Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's Turtle and Pure 'Pink' phones and Surface Tablet: take 2]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/microsoft-turtle-and-pure-project-pink-phones-and-surface-tablet/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/microsoft-turtle-and-pure-project-pink-phones-and-surface-tablet/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/microsoft-turtle-and-pure-project-pink-phones-and-surface-tablet/#comments Right on cue, Mary Jo Foley has chimed in with her expert opinion on the latest Project Pink rumor. Weekend gossip that has Microsoft and Sharp "unleashing" a pair of slider phones codenamed "Turtle" (pictured above) and "Pure" in January (likely at CES). JoFo thinks that it's possible that the rumored handsets could be announced in January, but any phone from Microsoft's Pink skunkworks project wouldn't launch until Windows Mobile 7 was ready, an OS not expected to ship on consumer devices until the end of 2010. Still, a January announce certainly aligns with the modern product buzz life-cycle: the iPhone landed six months after its unveiling while the first Google co-branded phone -- T-Mobile G1 -- took almost a year to bump hands of anxious consumers.

Foley also addressed 9to5Mac's tease of a "much, much bigger and juicier" rumor related to a Microsoft tablet in the late prototype phases. According to her sources, a new Microsoft tablet is part of something called "Alchemy Ventures" and contains at least one exec from Microsoft's Surface team and is presumably led by our buddy, J Allard. You'll recall that Microsoft was already rumored to be working on "Oahu" a Surface-based tablet for consumers. So when might we see it? Mary Jo speculates that Microsoft could be waiting to see what Apple's working on before showing off Redmond's competing design. In other words: February.

[Via WMPowerUser]

Read -- "Turtle" pic
Read -- Mary-Jo Foley on Pink and Tablet

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Microsoft's Turtle and Pure 'Pink' phones and Surface Tablet: take 2 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We didn't think too much of Obscura Digital's multi-touch hologram when we spotted it last August, but evidently the company has been working overtime in order to outfit Hard Rock's newest cafe with a monstrous interactive video wall. Hard Rock Cafe Vegas Strip is the chain's second venue in Sin City, but it's far and away the one to hit if you're a self-proclaimed nerd. Aside from having access to a number of Microsoft Surface-based installations, you'll also spend a good bit of time navigating the Rock Wall. The 18- x 4-foot touch wall (video after the break) enables up to six guests to simultaneously surf through the outfit's expansive memorabilia collection, with options to zoom and flick through oodles of images. Obscura claims that it just might be the world's highest resolution interactive display available to the public, with a trio of HD projectors beaming the content from behind the glass. Not like you really needed another excuse to add one more HRC shirt / pin / glass to your collection, but feel free to express your gratitude in comments below.

Read - Hard Rock's press release
Read - Obscura Digital's take

Continue reading Video: Hard Rock Cafe Vegas Strip gets ginormous interactive Rock Wall

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Video: Hard Rock Cafe Vegas Strip gets ginormous interactive Rock Wall originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 05:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hard rockhard rock cafeHardRockHardRockCafelas vegasLasVegasmicrosoftmicrosoft surfaceMicrosoftSurfacemusicnevadaObscura DigitalObscuraDigitalrock wallRockWallsurfaceTechnomedia SystemsTechnomediaSystemstouch paneltouch screenTouchPaneltouchscreenvegasvideoWed, 09 Sep 2009 05:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Nao humanoid robot gets its hands on Microsoft's Surface]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/02/nao-humanoid-robot-gets-its-hands-on-microsofts-surface/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/02/nao-humanoid-robot-gets-its-hands-on-microsofts-surface/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/02/nao-humanoid-robot-gets-its-hands-on-microsofts-surface/#comments
We're no strangers to Aldebaran Robotics' little humanoid robot, Nao -- in fact, we've seen plenty of him over the years. We've also spied our fair share of Microsoft's Surface table, too -- but you know, we've definitely never seen the two together in the same room. Interacting. Sounds pretty interesting, right? It did to us too, so we popped some popcorn and sat back to enjoy a full minute's viewing bliss of these two -- and we have to say, it was well worth it. Nao demonstrates his dexterity at zooming in and out on a photograph of a tiger (which looks suspiciously exact to one we paint-by-numbered last year), and moves around a stack of various other photos, too. It's all great, impressive fun, and we have to say, the fact that Nao is spewing French makes it all the cuter, and though it's been a while since we cracked our college texts, we're fairly certain he says "Microsoft Surface is so awesome, but I'm holding out for Windows 7" at one point. Video is after the break.

Continue reading Nao humanoid robot gets its hands on Microsoft's Surface

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Nao humanoid robot gets its hands on Microsoft's Surface originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aldebaran RoboticsAldebaranRoboticsmicrosoftmicrosoft surfaceMicrosoftSurfacenaorobotrobotssurfacevideoWed, 02 Sep 2009 08:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Store concept revealed in leaked design presentation?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/24/microsoft-store-concept-revealed-in-leaked-design-presentation/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/24/microsoft-store-concept-revealed-in-leaked-design-presentation/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/24/microsoft-store-concept-revealed-in-leaked-design-presentation/#comments Microsoft's very real brick-and-mortar stores are not too far off now, and it looks like Gizmodo got its hands on a Powerpoint presentation purportedly from "design and brand strategy" consultant firm Lippicott for how these retail outlets might turn out. The presentation overall is reminiscent of Apple's stores, complete with its own "Answer Bar" for troubleshooting. Other highlights include lots of Surface demos scattered about the interior, a massive "digital media wall" screen that wraps around the store, and stage areas for Windows 7, Media Center, WinMo, and netbooks. Additionally, the slides discuss in-store events centered around Project Natal, the ever-secret project codenamed Pink, and most importantly... the option to throw your birthday party on location. While it's not 100 percent clear what the purpose of some of these slides might be -- or if this is even the firm the big M has gone with -- there is a lot here that's piqued our curiosity. Whether or not this ends up being indicative of the final product, something tells us that last bit about the birthday parties is gonna be key to its success -- get on it, Steve.

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Microsoft Store concept revealed in leaked design presentation? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For most people, there is only one name that matters in the world of Microsoft Surface / "rave" integration. And that name? Al Roker. But that hasn't stopped the company from continuing to develop new and innovative ways to show off its super-sized touchscreen device in the milieu of clubland. VPlay, for instance, is a live video mixing tool that allows one to display video clips and live images, manipulate effects, and concoct some pretty complex signal paths with your bare hands. Interested in giving this one a spin? No word yet on a commercial release, but do make sure you peep the video after the break.

Continue reading VPlay brings video mixing to Surface, seriously improves Microsoft's office parties

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VPlay brings video mixing to Surface, seriously improves Microsoft's office parties originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 May 2009 01:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftsurfacevideo editingvideo mixingVideoEditingVideoMixingvjvplayFri, 29 May 2009 01:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Touch Pack brings Surface experience to Windows 7]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/27/microsoft-touch-pack-brings-surface-experience-to-windows-7/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/27/microsoft-touch-pack-brings-surface-experience-to-windows-7/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/27/microsoft-touch-pack-brings-surface-experience-to-windows-7/#comments Our initial experience with Windows 7's multitouch was decidedly less than stellar, but it looks like Microsoft's taking the initiative to ramp up the usability with the newly-unveiled Touch Pack. It's a software suite consisting of three games and three Surface apps, including a a globe you can pinch and twist around, the ever-popular surface collage for images, and and a zen-inspired lagoon screensaver. OEMs making touchscreen-capable Windows 7 rigs are being offered the pack to use as a pre-installed option, so look for these to arrive around the same time as the new OS, which should be sometime this holiday season. In the meantime, GottaBeMobile's gotten their hands on the app collection early, and you can view their efforts in the video after the break.

Gallery: Microsoft Touch Pack brings Surface experience to Windows 7


Read - Windows 7 Team Blog
Read - GottaBeMobile's hands-on

Continue reading Microsoft Touch Pack brings Surface experience to Windows 7

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Microsoft Touch Pack brings Surface experience to Windows 7 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 May 2009 20:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmicrosoft surfacemicrosoft touch packMicrosoftSurfaceMicrosoftTouchPackmulti touchMultiTouchsurfacetablettablet pctablet pcsTabletPcTabletPcstouchtouch packtouch screenTouchPackTouchScreenwin 7Win7windowswindows 7windows 7 touchwindows 7 touch packWindows7Windows7TouchWindows7TouchPackWed, 27 May 2009 20:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's Surface gets its first Service Pack, devs and yacht owners rejoice]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/17/microsofts-surface-gets-its-first-service-pack-devs-and-yacht/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/17/microsofts-surface-gets-its-first-service-pack-devs-and-yacht/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/17/microsofts-surface-gets-its-first-service-pack-devs-and-yacht/#comments Forget the future for just one second. Kicking off its TechEd conference last week, Microsoft released Service Pack 1 for its tabletop-inclined Surface. The update's mostly developer-centric -- not too surprising given its small customer base at present -- with one of the only bullet points that'll directly interest the end user being new calibration guides for setting up the system without needing an external display. No indication on if set up still requires a keyboard a mouse, but if that's a concern, keep your fingers crossed they find a way around that before you pony up the $13,000 to join Lazarra and Roker as an early adopter.

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Microsoft's Surface gets its first Service Pack, devs and yacht owners rejoice originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 17 May 2009 12:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Video: Microsoft's Future really does make your computer a big-ass table

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Video: Microsoft's Future really does make your computer a big-ass table originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 May 2009 02:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft's Surface has been shipping out to corporate customers for a year now, but we haven't heard much about the backend setup of the $17,000 table -- sure, we know it's fun when it's up and running all those custom apps, but what's it like after the unboxing? Incredibly frustrating, says FD kinesis's Gordon Miller. Hired to implement a Surface solution for a client, Miller and his team first spent 30 minutes on the phone with MS phone support trying to locate the power socket, and another lengthy period of time poking at an unresponsive touchscreen before realizing that the Surface doesn't respond to touch out of the box. Yep, you read that right -- Microsoft's $17,000 big-ass touchscreen table requires a keyboard and mouse to set up, something which isn't noted in any of the marketing or manuals. Ouch. Hopefully that'll get fixed before this thing ships to consumers in 2011, but in the meantime, hit the read link for the entire harrowing tale -- it's a pretty fun read for a Friday afternoon.

P.S.- We actually talked to Gordon on the phone for a quick minute and he said that Microsoft's been in touch about the experience -- he's working on an new post about that which we'll link when it goes up.

Update: As promised, here's the followup, which includes Microsoft's response.

[Via Daring Fireball]

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Microsoft Surface setup impressions: "filled with mind-bogglingly frustrating usability issues" originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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