Microsoft Shows Über-cool Mobile Touch-Surface

News
By Jane McEntegart
published

Microsoft today demonstrated the company's Mobile Surface technology at its annual TechFest.

Redmond's Surface Tabletop PC has garnered a lot of attention. While everyone agrees that it's awesome, no one can really figure out a practical and economical use for the device. However, a mobile version of the same software is another story.

TechFlash has a pretty nifty video of the technology in action. The set-up shows a camera, a projector and a cell phone. A projection of the cell phone display is made on a tabletop, and the user interacts with this projection image. The coolest part of it all is that you don't need to touch the image on the table to control things. The demo below shows volume being controlled with mid-air gestures.

Check out the video below.

Jane McEntegart
27 Comments Comment from the forums
  • mrddr6
    It's cool but still doesn't look too practical.
    Reply
  • blackjellognomes
    mrddr6It's cool but still doesn't look too practical.The point isn't practicality, it's the advancement of technology. And IMO, gesture-based interfaces are practical; for example, a common problem we see in modern keyboards that we take for granted is the dirt/germ build-up. (They're claimed to have 60 times the amount of bacteria as a toilet seat?) This wouldn't be a problem with gesture-based keyboard.
    Reply
  • mlopinto2k1
    What did that guy say?
    Reply
  • mikeadelic
    Will Apple file a patent infringement lawsuit since it requires multiple fingers?
    Reply
  • commandersozo
    Yeah, didn't Apple patent fingers?
    Reply
  • gekko668
    whether its practical or not its still cool.
    Reply
  • ADM-86
    blackjellognomesThe point isn't practicality, it's the advancement of technology. And IMO, gesture-based interfaces are practical; for example, a common problem we see in modern keyboards that we take for granted is the dirt/germ build-up. (They're claimed to have 60 times the amount of bacteria as a toilet seat?) This wouldn't be a problem with gesture-based keyboard.
    when was the last time you got sick because of keyboard "Bacteria"? anyway I get your point I just don't agree or share your example.
    Reply
  • Gin Fushicho
    blackjellognomesThe point isn't practicality, it's the advancement of technology. And IMO, gesture-based interfaces are practical; for example, a common problem we see in modern keyboards that we take for granted is the dirt/germ build-up. (They're claimed to have 60 times the amount of bacteria as a toilet seat?) This wouldn't be a problem with gesture-based keyboard.
    I have a feeling it'd get just as filthy with a bunch of peoples hands all over the thing.
    Reply
  • micr0be
    mikeadelicWill Apple file a patent infringement lawsuit since it requires multiple fingers?
    I only need 1 finger to express my feelings towards apple
    Reply
  • foody
    ADM-86when was the last time you got sick because of keyboard "Bacteria"? anyway
    When was the last time you knew exactly what caused you to get sick?
    Reply