Microsoft's Mystery Product Is... A Touch-Sensitive Table(confirmed)

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/you-can-touch-this/microsofts-mystery-product-is-a-touch+sensitive-table-264292.php (video inside)

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2007/may07/05-29Surface.mspx

"

Update: a new tipster has come with corroborative information-see below
Nearly 100 comments, and only one guy came close. According to an assortment of unrelated sources, the best guess is that tonight at midnight, Microsoft will finally launching its PlayTable concept as a full-blown entertainment product. ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley says PlayTable, aka Project Milan is a "multi-touch, gestural- and object-recognition interface technology" that Microsoft has demoed to a lot of people lately, but mainly as technology rather than a product in development. CrunchGear suggests that, based on a demo he saw, it might be a touch-friendly game console that competes with the Wii on intuitive user interface front.

We have another source that confirms the table-ness of the announcement, but says that it will be a kiosk-type of device, meant to provide gaming entertainment and a retail interface for Zune, but that, at a cost of $10,000 a pop, it won't be something that people actually buy for their homes

We have another source that confirms the table-ness of the announcement, but says that it will be a kiosk-type of device, meant to provide gaming entertainment and a retail interface for Zune, but that, at a cost of $10,000 a pop, it won't be something that people actually buy for their homes.

Our source doesn't name the product, but says that rather than being a touchscreen LCD, it's a rear-projection table that uses an array of projectors, all aimed up at the screen, which has a resolution of 1024x768, and will be 23 to 25 inches in size. Two or more people can use it, and it would be situated in casinos or other places. (Partnerships already allegedly formed are with Harrah's Casinos and Sheraton hotels.)

Some alleged applications:

Music - You put your music player on the table, and your credit card. Both are recognized, then you drag songs to the player. Zune is obvious first device, but potential other partner in the works. One demo used a nano. Could partner really be Apple? Let's not get carried away... yet.

Virtual Concierge - A fairly self explanatory guide program, complete with mapping programs

Food & Drink - Not just interactive menus, but glass (and presumably plate and maybe even silverware) recognition. Like Music program, it reads credit cards just by placing them on table.

Photo - A simple photo editor reminiscent of iPhoto

Puzzle - A game where you assemble actual pieces of glass on top of the table, each with a sliver of live video playing

Water - A water screensaver that you can touch to make ripples

Paint - Simple painting program that reads pressure sensitivity by judging the size of your fingerprint

The bottom line from our source is that it's very reminiscent of OSX, and also, like with Zune and Xbox, the Microsoft branding is lowkey. Its name, whatever that is, will be the center branding. It will likely not be in final form during the All Things D demonstrations.

Below I've embedded a video, brought to our attention by ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, that demonstrates the sort of gestural recognition that will be found in the PlayTable (or whatever). Will I post confirmation at midnight? You bet! - Wilson Rothman

Okay, as we approach the bewitching hour, more information is coming to light. A more appropriate term for the technology is Microsoft Smart Surface, which replaced the nickname "PlayTable" a long time ago. (I still like PlayTable better.) The size and shape can vary, but the demo unit scheduled for use tomorrow looks like a coffee table. Our new tips corroborate our original information in that 1) object recognition will use RFID or other near-field technology for identification of objects (a Microsoft favorite going way back) and 2) the iPod is indeed part of the equation. Apparently Zune ain't enough to get music fans revved about PlayTable, er, Microsoft Smart Surface. - WR

"

A DS Table!TrueReligion_

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/you-can-touch-this/microsofts-mystery-product-is-a-touch+sensitive-table-264292.php

 

"

Update: a new tipster has come with corroborative information-see below
Nearly 100 comments, and only one guy came close. According to an assortment of unrelated sources, the best guess is that tonight at midnight, Microsoft will finally launching its PlayTable concept as a full-blown entertainment product. ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley says PlayTable, aka Project Milan is a "multi-touch, gestural- and object-recognition interface technology" that Microsoft has demoed to a lot of people lately, but mainly as technology rather than a product in development. CrunchGear suggests that, based on a demo he saw, it might be a touch-friendly game console that competes with the Wii on intuitive user interface front.

We have another source that confirms the table-ness of the announcement, but says that it will be a kiosk-type of device, meant to provide gaming entertainment and a retail interface for Zune, but that, at a cost of $10,000 a pop, it won't be something that people actually buy for their homes

We have another source that confirms the table-ness of the announcement, but says that it will be a kiosk-type of device, meant to provide gaming entertainment and a retail interface for Zune, but that, at a cost of $10,000 a pop, it won't be something that people actually buy for their homes.

Our source doesn't name the product, but says that rather than being a touchscreen LCD, it's a rear-projection table that uses an array of projectors, all aimed up at the screen, which has a resolution of 1024x768, and will be 23 to 25 inches in size. Two or more people can use it, and it would be situated in casinos or other places. (Partnerships already allegedly formed are with Harrah's Casinos and Sheraton hotels.)

Some alleged applications:

Music - You put your music player on the table, and your credit card. Both are recognized, then you drag songs to the player. Zune is obvious first device, but potential other partner in the works. One demo used a nano. Could partner really be Apple? Let's not get carried away... yet.

Virtual Concierge - A fairly self explanatory guide program, complete with mapping programs

Food & Drink - Not just interactive menus, but glass (and presumably plate and maybe even silverware) recognition. Like Music program, it reads credit cards just by placing them on table.

Photo - A simple photo editor reminiscent of iPhoto

Puzzle - A game where you assemble actual pieces of glass on top of the table, each with a sliver of live video playing

Water - A water screensaver that you can touch to make ripples

Paint - Simple painting program that reads pressure sensitivity by judging the size of your fingerprint

 

The bottom line from our source is that it's very reminiscent of OSX, and also, like with Zune and Xbox, the Microsoft branding is lowkey. Its name, whatever that is, will be the center branding. It will likely not be in final form during the All Things D demonstrations.

Below I've embedded a video, brought to our attention by ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, that demonstrates the sort of gestural recognition that will be found in the PlayTable (or whatever). Will I post confirmation at midnight? You bet! - Wilson Rothman

Okay, as we approach the bewitching hour, more information is coming to light. A more appropriate term for the technology is Microsoft Smart Surface, which replaced the nickname "PlayTable" a long time ago. (I still like PlayTable better.) The size and shape can vary, but the demo unit scheduled for use tomorrow looks like a coffee table. Our new tips corroborate our original information in that 1) object recognition will use RFID or other near-field technology for identification of objects (a Microsoft favorite going way back) and 2) the iPod is indeed part of the equation. Apparently Zune ain't enough to get music fans revved about PlayTable, er, Microsoft Smart Surface. - WR

"

drsports1980

10,000.00? :lol:...no thanks. Actually, I would not even be interested if it was 10.00. Nothing I would have any use for.

[QUOTE="drsports1980"]

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/you-can-touch-this/microsofts-mystery-product-is-a-touch+sensitive-table-264292.php

 

"

Update: a new tipster has come with corroborative information-see below
Nearly 100 comments, and only one guy came close. According to an assortment of unrelated sources, the best guess is that tonight at midnight, Microsoft will finally launching its PlayTable concept as a full-blown entertainment product. ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley says PlayTable, aka Project Milan is a "multi-touch, gestural- and object-recognition interface technology" that Microsoft has demoed to a lot of people lately, but mainly as technology rather than a product in development. CrunchGear suggests that, based on a demo he saw, it might be a touch-friendly game console that competes with the Wii on intuitive user interface front.

We have another source that confirms the table-ness of the announcement, but says that it will be a kiosk-type of device, meant to provide gaming entertainment and a retail interface for Zune, but that, at a cost of $10,000 a pop, it won't be something that people actually buy for their homes

We have another source that confirms the table-ness of the announcement, but says that it will be a kiosk-type of device, meant to provide gaming entertainment and a retail interface for Zune, but that, at a cost of $10,000 a pop, it won't be something that people actually buy for their homes.

Our source doesn't name the product, but says that rather than being a touchscreen LCD, it's a rear-projection table that uses an array of projectors, all aimed up at the screen, which has a resolution of 1024x768, and will be 23 to 25 inches in size. Two or more people can use it, and it would be situated in casinos or other places. (Partnerships already allegedly formed are with Harrah's Casinos and Sheraton hotels.)

Some alleged applications:

Music - You put your music player on the table, and your credit card. Both are recognized, then you drag songs to the player. Zune is obvious first device, but potential other partner in the works. One demo used a nano. Could partner really be Apple? Let's not get carried away... yet.

Virtual Concierge - A fairly self explanatory guide program, complete with mapping programs

Food & Drink - Not just interactive menus, but glass (and presumably plate and maybe even silverware) recognition. Like Music program, it reads credit cards just by placing them on table.

Photo - A simple photo editor reminiscent of iPhoto

Puzzle - A game where you assemble actual pieces of glass on top of the table, each with a sliver of live video playing

Water - A water screensaver that you can touch to make ripples

Paint - Simple painting program that reads pressure sensitivity by judging the size of your fingerprint

 

The bottom line from our source is that it's very reminiscent of OSX, and also, like with Zune and Xbox, the Microsoft branding is lowkey. Its name, whatever that is, will be the center branding. It will likely not be in final form during the All Things D demonstrations.

Below I've embedded a video, brought to our attention by ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, that demonstrates the sort of gestural recognition that will be found in the PlayTable (or whatever). Will I post confirmation at midnight? You bet! - Wilson Rothman

Okay, as we approach the bewitching hour, more information is coming to light. A more appropriate term for the technology is Microsoft Smart Surface, which replaced the nickname "PlayTable" a long time ago. (I still like PlayTable better.) The size and shape can vary, but the demo unit scheduled for use tomorrow looks like a coffee table. Our new tips corroborate our original information in that 1) object recognition will use RFID or other near-field technology for identification of objects (a Microsoft favorite going way back) and 2) the iPod is indeed part of the equation. Apparently Zune ain't enough to get music fans revved about PlayTable, er, Microsoft Smart Surface. - WR

"

ironcreed

10,000.00? :lol:...no thanks. Actually, I would not even be interested if it was 10.00. Nothing I would have any use for.

My understanding is that its not for home use, but more along the lines of profesional, or entertainment use. 

[QUOTE="TrueReligion_"]A DS Table!drsports1980

[QUOTE="drsports1980"][QUOTE="TrueReligion_"]A DS Table!Zhengi

[QUOTE="Zhengi"][QUOTE="drsports1980"][QUOTE="TrueReligion_"]A DS Table!Vandalvideo

do you ever provide links? or just always say X = Y without showing the steps?

[QUOTE="Vandalvideo"][QUOTE="Zhengi"][QUOTE="drsports1980"][QUOTE="TrueReligion_"]A DS Table!3picuri3

do you ever provide links? or just always say X = Y without showing the steps?

That actually sounds pretty cool. Imagine playing RTS games on that in the future? Sweet stuff.Mrcod11

uh it's called chess buddy  

microsoft is a weird company why would anyone even want that?dcm06

Because its not for home use. Businesses for one, I can see Casinos using something like that. 

Guys read the articles instead of just looking at the pretty pictures, right now the table (called Surface) is being aimed at professionals, especially in the retail community. They had some cool ideas like putting one it a restaurant table and it would somehow read what your meal/drink is and make reccomendations. So if you ordered a certain wine it would reccomend what food would pair well with it.

If it pans out it could be huge, but thats a pretty big if. Hopefully we'll eventually see the price drop to $100-200, because one of those tables with a game like Endwar or that PC game that Endwar ripped off (can't remember the name) would be ace.

That actually sounds pretty cool. Imagine playing RTS games on that in the future? Sweet stuff.Mrcod11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYY-g6ionzM

Too slow compared to KB+M. 

[QUOTE="Mrcod11"]That actually sounds pretty cool. Imagine playing RTS games on that in the future? Sweet stuff.booghost73

uh it's called chess buddy

Milk just shot 15 feet from my mouth and hit my roomie in the face... Sorry I dont have a screen shot XD, but he would like to say all he wanted was to know where the paper towel was, and he now needs it more then ever. 

Ahhh, now i see M$'s plan for taking Japan. It will actually come with a free copy of Brain Age.

[QUOTE="Zhengi"][QUOTE="drsports1980"][QUOTE="TrueReligion_"]A DS Table!Vandalvideo

IT'S NOT FOR GAMING!.

jeez, I thought it was obvious that the announcement was not for gaming or the 360.

It said it had to do with mobile devices and entertainment. or something to that affect.