Surface Computing
- By Viraj Vyas
A surface computer is a computer that interacts with the user through the surface of an ordinary object, rather than through a monitor and keyboard.
The concept has seen some media attention, but there are few commercial surface products. The name of the category was first adopted by Microsoft with Surface (codenamed Milan), the surface computer from Microsoft which was based entirely on a Multi-Touch inte, and Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, which will use Surface to service lobby customers in numerous ways. The product was renamed "Microsoft PixelSense" on June 18, 2012, due to a decision of Microsoft to give the name "Surface" to a new product a tablet PC.
The Microsoft Surface has a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of memory, an off the shelf graphics card, a scratch-proof spill-proof surface, a DLP projector, and 5 infrared cameras. The 30-inch screen runs at a nominal 1024 by 768 resolution, easily graphed by the camera array. Obviously, the Surface's interface innovations were designed with standard hardware in mind, a fact that may help lower its price and promote its adoption. However, the expensive components required for the interface also give the Surface a price tag of between $12,500 to $15,000.
Microsoft Surface is a touch-based graphical user interface. Using specialized hardware designed to replace the keyboard and mouse used in typical computing applications, Surface enables a level of interaction previously unattainable with conventional hardware. The system is composed of a horizontal touchscreen under a coffee table-like surface, with cameras mounted below to detect user interaction activities. All interface components such as dialogs, mouse pointer, and windows, are replaced with circles and rectangles outlining "objects" that are manipulated via drag and drop.
The "objects" in question can be either virtual objects displayed on the screen, or physical objects such as cellphones, digital cameras, and PDAs placed on the screen. Physical objects are automatically identified and connected to the Surface computer upon their placement on the screen. With no interface text, the Surface computer can be used by speakers of any language and any competency level.
Surface's main feature is the apparent simplicity with which common computing tasks can be performed. Most operations are performed without dialogs or wizards. For instance, pictures in a digital camera placed on the surface are automatically downloaded to the device and displayed on the screen. Transferring those pictures to another device, such as a compatible cellphone, simply requires the user to place the cellphone on the surface and to drag the pictures in its direction.
While the potential security implications of this type of interaction are obvious, and Microsoft's solutions to the issue are vague at best. Devices are identified by a one-byte "domino" tag on their sides, which is easily forged with a pencil. Although the underlying bluetooth and wifi technologies are considered safe for the transfer of the data itself, the ease in which documents can be accidentally or maliciously copied is alarming. This is typical of Microsoft products, which generally sacrifice security for convenience and simplicity of use.
The technology behind Microsoft Surface has been under heavy development for over five years. Microsoft installed a team of researchers at an unofficial building outside its Redmond headquarters, guarded in secrecy with no direct support of other Microsoft entities. Although the pre-production Surface uses the latest Microsoft operating system, the hardware involved is somewhat close to the minimum required by that OS.
Benefits :-
Direct interaction :- Users can actually “grab” digital information with their hands, interacting with content by touch and gesture, without the use of a mouse or keyboard.
Multi-touch :- Surface computing recognizes many points of contact simultaneously, not just from one finger like a typical touch-screen, but up to dozens of items at once.
Multi-user :- The horizontal form factor makes it easy for several people to gather around surface computers together, providing a collaborative, face-to-face computing experience.
Object recognition :- Users can place physical objects on the surface to trigger different types of digital responses, including the transfer of digital content.
Surface Puts People in Control :-
Surface will be shipped to partners with a portfolio of basic applications, including photos, music and virtual concierge applications that can be customized to provide their customers with unique experiences. Harrah’s Entertainment Inc., Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., and T-Mobile USA Inc. will be some of the first companies to provide unique Surface experiences for their customers. These first partners are exploring a variety of avenues for Surface, which may include the following:
Samsung SUR40
The Samsung SUR40 with Microsoft PixelSense brings people together to connect, learn, and decide. It enables experiences that change the way people collaborate and connect with a stunning 360-degree interface. The SUR40 sees and responds to touch and real world objects—supporting more than 50 simultaneous inputs.
This experience comes to life in the 40-inch Samsung SUR40 display which can be used as a table, on the wall, or embedded in other fixtures or furniture.
How can you experience the Samsung SUR40 with Microsoft PixelSense in your organization? The only limit is your imagination. Whether you're in hospitality, retail, healthcare, professional services, or the public sector, you can change the way people interact with information and with each other.
Make content more engaging. Give your customers immersive and collaborative ways to engage with photos, videos, documents, maps, custom applications, and more.
Plan and simulate. Bring to life real-time "if/then" modeling and visualization, simulations and calculations—perfect for financial services, healthcare, and other consultative environments.
Make learning more fun. Breathe new life into the education process with rich visualizations that encourage teamwork and enhance learning.
Transform the shopping experience. Make shopping more immersive by connecting customers with more options, recommendations, product and service comparisons, and personalized service.
Connect with customers through games and pastimes. Have some fun by putting the SUR40 in restaurants, bars, hotel lobbies, and other venues, associating memorable experiences with your brand.
Communicate and connect. Give people an efficient and intriguing new way to get the information they're looking for—like maps and tourist destinations in a hotel lobby. Or use it to help them exchange personal information so they can connect with each other and to your business.
Video On Samsung SUR40
Video On Samsung SUR40