Microsoft Surface

Group 3

Jeremy Moody, Bryson Tharp, Carrie Chudy

Key Words: IT, Hardware, Infrared

An emerging technology in the IT world is Micros= oft Surface. This new hardware en= ables its user, or multiple users, to view and interact with digital content in a= way never seen before. Through ev= eryday motions, gestures, and objects, users can explore, learn, share, create, and even purchase using Microsoft Surface.&nbs= p; This new technology will open up many opportunities in the business world by simplifying everyday computing actions as well as increasing the abilities of the computing platform.

Microsoft Surface is a 30-inch table-like comput= ing surface that allows multiple users to access the hardware with ease. Using cameras to detect human touc= h and certain objects, Surface processes the information then projects the input = via infrared wavelengths.

Microsoft Surface works by using four major components, including, direct interaction, multi-touch, multi-user, and obj= ect recognition. In the direct interaction component, users are able to interact with Surface by using nat= ural gestures and motions, allowing you to “grab” digital content and manipulate it. For instance, = users can transfer music files, pictures, etc, by simply placing their hand on the Surface at the location of the content and moving it to the desired location. The multi-touch com= ponent applied with Surface is very unique to touch screen computing. Most touch screen enable hardware = allows one point of contact. Surface however allows users to utilize several points of contact simultaneously. An illustration of this can be see= n when using the paint feature on surface. Using your finger as a paintbrush, users can “paint” with all ten of their fingers at once if they so choose. Surface’s multi-user compone= nt allows it to be very business friendly.&nb= sp; With a table-like computer that measures 30 inches, more than one or= two users can access Surface, making it very beneficial when input is required = from many people. For instance, if= six people were overlooking business plans on a modern computing surface, only one wou= ld get to physically input ideas at a time.&n= bsp; However, with Microsoft Surface, all six would be able to gather aro= und the tabletop simultaneously imputing information, allowing for faster and m= ore customized service. But perha= ps the most intriguing component to Microsoft Surface is object recognition. This component allows Surface to c= onnect with objects placed on the computing surface, opening up many new opportuni= ties for the user.

Microsoft Surface was originally developed = as an interactive gaming table, functionally mixing the physical and virtual worlds. After the idea was presented to Microsoft’s founder and chairman, Bill Gates, prototypes quickly began evolving. Reali= zing that this unique computing surface would be useful in several different applications, developers started to focus their efforts in places other than simply gaming. With a solid prototype, Surface was put to use by software developers, hardware develope= rs, and researchers. It wasn̵= 7;t until 2005 that the current Surface form was developed. As a 30-inch interactive tabletop, Microsoft Surface began hitting the commercial markets, changing normal computing into “Surface” computing.

Currently, Surface is only available commercially. Some well known settings for Surface include AT&T, Harrah’s Entertainment venues,= and Sheraton Hotels and Resorts. = AT&T implements Surface by showing the different plans and features offered for different phones and areas. An AT&T customer can choose multiple phones, all with tags enabling Surfac= e to apply object recognition, place them on the Surface and instantly see the “pros” and “cons” of each choice. Harrah’s Entertainment uses Microsoft Surface as a way to help guests interact and become familiar with= the Vegas attractions. Guests can= meet other guests, create their own drinks, and even take a virtual tour of the Vegas strip, all while sitting in the bar at the Surface computer. Sheraton Hotels and Resorts are al= so implementing Surface. They are placing these interactive computers in the lobbies of select hotels, allowi= ng guests to access a wealth of information about local information and entertainment. In the future, Microsoft Surface plans on being available in several other venues such as restaurants, retail outlets, and entertainment settings. =

Wi= th the digital age we live in today, everyone is trying to get things done faster = and be more effective the first time. Microsoft Surface allows users to do just that, personalize aspects = of life never realized before and in a very timely fashion. With it’s ability to impleme= nt components of direct interaction, multi-touch, multi-user, and object recognition, Microsoft Surface sets itself apart from competitors and is tr= uly and emerging technology.

References

Microsoft Surface FAQS.&nb= sp; Retrieved September 25, 2008, from http://www.m= icrosoft.com/surface/about_faqs/faqs.aspx

Microsoft Surface. = Wikipedia Online. Retrieved Sept= ember 26, 2008, from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Surface

What are the four major components of Microsoft Surface?

= a. = direct interaction

= b. multi-touch

= c. = multi-user

= d. object recognition

= e. = all of the above

A unique aspect of Microsoft Surface is that it does not utilize a

= a. = camera

= b. mouse and keyboard

= c. = infrared wavelength

= d. power source

Microso= ft Surface comes in what form?

= a. = box

= b. book

= c. = software

= d. table-like

= e. = has no form

Microso= ft Surface is currently only available

= a. = commercially

= b. personally

= c. = emotionally

= d. both ‘a’ and ‘b’

= e. = none of the above

Who currently uses Microsoft Surface?

= a. = AT&T

= b. Harrah’s Entertainment

= c. = Sheraton Hotels and Resorts

= d. all of the above

= e. = none of the above