INTRODUCTION Surface computing is a major advancement that moves beyond the traditional user interface to a more natural way of interacting with information. It features four key attributes: 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 with 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 Microsoft Surface together, providing a collaborative, face–to–face computing experience. Object Recognition : Users can place physical objects on the display to trigger different types of digital responses; in the future, this will include the ability to transfer digital content.

Surface computing is a major advancement that moves beyond the traditional user interface to a more natural way of interacting with information. It features four key attributes:

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 with 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 Microsoft Surface together, providing a collaborative, face–to–face computing experience.

Object Recognition : Users can place physical objects on the display to trigger different types of digital responses; in the future, this will include the ability to transfer digital content.

SURFACE COMPUTER 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 category was created by Microsoft with Surface (codenamed Milan), the surface computer from Microsoft which was based entirely on a Multi-Touch interface and using a coffee-table like design, Users can interact with the machine by touching or dragging their fingertips and objects such as paintbrushes across the screen, or by setting real-world items tagged with special bar-code labels on top of it.

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 category was created by Microsoft with Surface (codenamed Milan), the surface computer from Microsoft which was based entirely on a Multi-Touch interface and using a coffee-table like design, Users can interact with the machine by touching or dragging their fingertips and objects such as paintbrushes across the screen, or by setting real-world items tagged with special bar-code labels on top of it.

MICROSOFT SURFACE Microsoft Surface turns an ordinary tabletop into a vibrant, interactive surface. It's the first commercially-available surface computing platform from Microsoft. The product provides effortless access to digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects. Today, it's a 30-inch diagonal display in a table-like form factor that's easy for individuals or multiple people to interact with in a way that feels familiar, just like in the real world. In essence, it's a surface come to life for exploring, learning, sharing, creating, buying and much more. Today Microsoft Surface is available in the retail, hospitality, automotive, banking and healthcare industries. Consumers can interact with Surface at the iBar located in the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and at select Sheratons in the U.S

Microsoft Surface turns an ordinary tabletop into a vibrant, interactive surface. It's the first commercially-available surface computing platform from Microsoft. The product provides effortless access to digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects. Today, it's a 30-inch diagonal display in a table-like form factor that's easy for individuals or multiple people to interact with in a way that feels familiar, just like in the real world. In essence, it's a surface come to life for exploring, learning, sharing, creating, buying and much more. Today Microsoft Surface is available in the retail, hospitality, automotive, banking and healthcare industries. Consumers can interact with Surface at the iBar located in the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and at select Sheratons in the U.S

HOW IT WORKS Microsoft Surface uses cameras to sense objects, hand gestures and touch. This user input is then processed and displayed using rear projection. Specifically: Microsoft Surface uses a rear projection system which displays an image onto the underside of a thin diffuser. Objects such as fingers are visible through the diffuser by series of infrared–sensitive cameras, positioned underneath the display. An image processing system processes the camera images to detect fingers, custom tags and other objects such as paint brushes when touching the display. The objects recognized with this system are reported to applications running in the computer so that they can react to object shapes, 2D tags, movement and touch.

Microsoft Surface uses cameras to sense objects, hand gestures and touch. This user input is then processed and displayed using rear projection. Specifically:

Microsoft Surface uses a rear projection system which displays an image onto the underside of a thin diffuser.

Objects such as fingers are visible through the diffuser by series of infrared–sensitive cameras, positioned underneath the display.

An image processing system processes the camera images to detect fingers, custom tags and other objects such as paint brushes when touching the display.

The objects recognized with this system are reported to applications running in the computer so that they can react to object shapes, 2D tags, movement and touch.

SPECIFICATONS Surface is a 30-inch (76 cm) display in a table-like form factor, 22 inches (56 cm) high, 21 inches (53 cm) deep, and 42 inches (107 cm) wide. [ . The Surface tabletop is acrylic, and its interior frame is powder-coated steel. The software platform runs on a custom version of Windows Vista and has wired Ethernet 10/100, wireless 802.11 b/g, and Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity. Surface applications are written using either Windows Presentation Foundation or Microsoft XNA technology. Intel Core Quad Xeon "WoodCrest" @ 2.66GHz with a custom motherboard form factor about the size of two ATX motherboards. 4GB DDR2-1066 RAM 1TB 7200RPM Hard Drive However, the current commercially available version has the following specifications Intel Core 2Duo @ 2.13GHz (normal motherboard) 2GB DDR2 RAM 250GB Sata Hard Drive

Surface is a 30-inch (76 cm) display in a table-like form factor, 22 inches (56 cm) high, 21 inches (53 cm) deep, and 42 inches (107 cm) wide. [ . The Surface tabletop is acrylic, and its interior frame is powder-coated steel. The software platform runs on a custom version of Windows Vista and has wired Ethernet 10/100, wireless 802.11 b/g, and Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity. Surface applications are written using either Windows Presentation Foundation or Microsoft XNA technology.

Intel Core Quad Xeon "WoodCrest" @ 2.66GHz with a custom motherboard form factor about the size of two ATX motherboards.

4GB DDR2-1066 RAM

1TB 7200RPM Hard Drive

However, the current commercially available version has the following specifications

Intel Core 2Duo @ 2.13GHz (normal motherboard)

2GB DDR2 RAM

250GB Sata Hard Drive

MICROSOFT SURFACE COMPUTER

MULTI-POINTER X Multi-pointer X (MPX) is a modification to the existing X.Org implementation of the X Window System. MPX provides multiple independent pointers (mouse cursors) at the windowing system level. These cursors are all connected to one computer. Unlike many other multi-pointer applications and toolkits, MPX allows many existing X Window applications to run unmodified, whilst still providing additional input features. For instance, multiple users can simultaneously operate different applications at the same time. Some applications do not work as expected due to limitations in the toolkits they use. The limitations are caused by the assumption that only one pointer exists.

Multi-pointer X (MPX) is a modification to the existing X.Org implementation of the X Window System. MPX provides multiple independent pointers (mouse cursors) at the windowing system level. These cursors are all connected to one computer. Unlike many other multi-pointer applications and toolkits, MPX allows many existing X Window applications to run unmodified, whilst still providing additional input features. For instance, multiple users can simultaneously operate different applications at the same time. Some applications do not work as expected due to limitations in the toolkits they use. The limitations are caused by the assumption that only one pointer exists.

MP-X

DIAMOND TOUCH The MERL DiamondTouch table is a multi-user, debris-tolerant, touch-and-gesture-activated screen for supporting small group collaboration. The DiamondTouch product line has moved operations from the MERL research lab and into a separate company called Circle Twelve Inc.

The MERL DiamondTouch table is a multi-user, debris-tolerant, touch-and-gesture-activated screen for supporting small group collaboration. The DiamondTouch product line has moved operations from the MERL research lab and into a separate company called Circle Twelve Inc.

DIAMOND TOUCH

SMART SURFACE SmartSurfac e is a surface-computing solution powered by multi touch technology that simplifies the way you interact with computers. SmartSurface allows users to interact one-to-one, directly, with the Glide of a finger. SmartSurface allows easy, natural and direct interaction with your computer. SmartSurface allows multiple users to simultaneously download music, chat with friends and manipulate pictures on the same screen while at the same time still sit face to face talking and laughing. You can pay bills while allowing you to write memos from its virtual screen keyboards that can be accessed with a Glide of a finger. SmartSurface can turn any surface-coffee tables, desks and even walls-into a surface computing tool. With SmartSurface, ubiquitous computing comes one step closer to reality.

SmartSurfac e is a surface-computing solution powered by multi touch technology that simplifies the way you interact with computers.

SmartSurface allows users to interact one-to-one, directly, with the Glide of a finger. SmartSurface allows easy, natural and direct interaction with your computer. SmartSurface allows multiple users to simultaneously download music, chat with friends and manipulate pictures on the same screen while at the same time still sit face to face talking and laughing.

You can pay bills while allowing you to write memos from its virtual screen keyboards that can be accessed with a Glide of a finger. SmartSurface can turn any surface-coffee tables, desks and even walls-into a surface computing tool. With SmartSurface, ubiquitous computing comes one step closer to reality.

SMART SURFACE

APPLICATIONS OF SURFACE COMPUTING On April 17th, Microsoft Surface made its public debut - launching at 5 AT&T stores across the U.S. At the stores, Surface will help customers shop for mobile phones. To use Surface, just put the phone down on the display and an onscreen menu appears showing features, options, tech specs, etc. The table can also be used to get more info about AT&T's various cell phone plans, pricing, and coverage area. You can see Surface in action at one of these stores:

On April 17th, Microsoft Surface made its public debut - launching at 5 AT&T stores across the U.S. At the stores, Surface will help customers shop for mobile phones. To use Surface, just put the phone down on the display and an onscreen menu appears showing features, options, tech specs, etc. The table can also be used to get more info about AT&T's various cell phone plans, pricing, and coverage area. You can see Surface in action at one of these stores:

MICROSOFT SURFACE AT AT&T STORE

Surface computing is also being used to help educate the young minds of tomorrow with the use of the Smart Table The SMART Table allows children to work together on different ready-made activities that teach them the basics of reading writing, and counting. This innovative new way of learning provides an exciting new way for children to pick up the necessary reading and writing skills they need.

Surface computing is also being used to help educate the young minds of tomorrow with the use of the Smart Table

The SMART Table allows children to work together on different ready-made activities that teach them the basics of reading writing, and counting. This innovative new way of learning provides an exciting new way for children to pick up the necessary reading and writing skills they need.

SMART TABLE

Surface computing is also picking up around the world with a handful of companies producing their own brand of the surface. Leading companies in Europe are Britain Arcstream with a variety of multitouch walls and surfaces and Sweden NUI with their Horizon table and Snowflake application. In Asia and the Middle East, Malaysian based Smart Surface Sdn Bhd is pioneering the way with their SmartSurface tables and walls

Surface computing is also picking up around the world with a handful of companies producing their own brand of the surface.

Leading companies in Europe are Britain Arcstream with a variety of multitouch walls and surfaces and Sweden NUI with their Horizon table and Snowflake application. In Asia and the Middle East, Malaysian based Smart Surface Sdn Bhd is pioneering the way with their SmartSurface tables and walls

It is also starting to gain use in the broadcasting industry and has been used by MSNBC during the 2008 US Presidential Elections.

It is also starting to gain use in the broadcasting industry and has been used by MSNBC during the 2008 US Presidential Elections.

THE FUTURE OF SURFACE COMPUTING There are other new and innovative surface computing applications that are still being developed, one of which is from the MIT Media Lab where students are developing wearable computing systems that can be used on almost any surface.

There are other new and innovative surface computing applications that are still being developed, one of which is from the MIT Media Lab where students are developing wearable computing systems that can be used on almost any surface.

MINOR REPORTS ABOUT SURFACE COMPUTERS Apple ROSIE 59 The Rosie Surface Computer is an Apple based surface computer. It was created by Savant home A/V computer and uses a 40 inch coffee table running apple technology to create integration between computing and everyday tasks. The Savant surface is an evolutionary technology that can download and share photos from digital cameras, and also play music, movies, TV shows right onto its surface and accomplish complete home control all from within one elegant interface. Savant plans to offer the ROSIE Surface in a number of different furniture styles ranging from contemporary to traditional.The hardware specs havent been released yet. However some features that have been verified are: Interaction with iTunes® multimedia content, digital cameras, IP network cameras, business card readers, and many more digital devices on the horizon. Touchscreens readily created & customized via RacePoint Blueprint™ design tool Customizable Hot Launch Buttons Custom tailored to suit any décor with the ROSIE Surface Kit

Apple ROSIE 59

The Rosie Surface Computer is an Apple based surface computer. It was created by Savant home A/V computer and uses a 40 inch coffee table running apple technology to create integration between computing and everyday tasks. The Savant surface is an evolutionary technology that can download and share photos from digital cameras, and also play music, movies, TV shows right onto its surface and accomplish complete home control all from within one elegant interface. Savant plans to offer the ROSIE Surface in a number of different furniture styles ranging from contemporary to traditional.The hardware specs havent been released yet. However some features that have been verified are:

Interaction with iTunes® multimedia content, digital cameras, IP network cameras, business card readers, and many more digital devices on the horizon.

Touchscreens readily created & customized via RacePoint Blueprint™ design tool

Customizable Hot Launch Buttons

Custom tailored to suit any décor with the ROSIE Surface Kit

APPLE ROSIE 59 PROTOTYPE