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The Surface Computer – Just Scratching the Surface?

[10/26/2012 update: The above video was published on June 4, 2007, about 3 weeks before the release of the first iPhone. This video combined various news release footage from Microsoft to describe a table-size device Microsoft called Surface. It also made fun of the potential implications of new technology by looking back to get a glimpse of what the future might look like. In retrospect, Microsoft was probably trying to take away the thunder of the then impending release of the iPhone. The rest of the text described the video].


Text from 6/4/2007

Microsoft’s announcement of their Surface computer last week caused a bit of buzz. Reading about it just touches the surface of the things it can do. This is one case, where video is much more powerful than the written word. The Surface computer, when combined with Microsoft’s robotic vision could lead to a revolution bigger than the PC. Watch this video to get a glimpse of this vision.

[Editor’s Note: The following text and player below reference the video host Revver, which was where the above video was originally hosted. Revver ceased to operate in 2011.]

At the end of the video, there may be an entertaining commercial (you will need to click the photo that appears at the end of the video). This commercial is inserted by Revver and the first two I have watched have been from Microsoft. Revver apparently inserted the commercials based on the content of the video.

 

 

4 responses to “The Surface Computer – Just Scratching the Surface?”

  1. Ken Pyle Avatar

    Steve Hawley, an avid Mac fan, pointed out that Apple’s iPhone will have an interface that is similar in concept to Microsoft’s Surface Computer (as reported on in the last issue of the Viodi View). Further, he points out that Jeff Han, formerly of NYU and founder of Perceptive Pixel, demonstrated multi-touch computing years ago.

    Thanks Steve…

  2. Ken Pyle Avatar

    The above video was created on June 4, 2007, about 3 weeks before the release of the first iPhone. This video combined news release footage from Microsoft, along with some fun public domain video to describe a table size device Microsoft called Surface as well its potential to change the way we live. In retrospect, Microsoft was probably trying to take away the thunder of the then impending release of the iPhone.

    It’s amazing that it took 4+ years for the Surface to finally become a reality; albeit in a much smaller form. The question is whether it will go the way of the Zune or whether it will be the future of computing.

    As a last note, this video was originally posted on the now defunct site, Revver. It has been re-posted to YouTube.

  3. […] scoop on the Microsoft Surface from 5 years ago. Getting a glimpse of the future by looking back not only 5 years ago, but 70+ years […]

  4. […] announcement similar to Microsoft’s announcement of its first surface computer in 2007 (see this Viodi take on that idea)? Tim Farrar has some good insight in this Twitter thread […]

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