Comments on: Microsoft Surface a Precursor to An Apple Announcement? http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/ The Apple Blog, published by and for the day-to-day Apple user, is a prominent source for news, reviews, walkthroughs, and real life application of all Apple products. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:23:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: D http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-107577 D Thu, 12 Jul 2007 14:34:17 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-107577 This is a pretty nice idea, although it saddens me that many Apple fans are shrieking that bits of it were somehow stolen; it really does us no credit as a group. Apple by no means invented touchscreen technology or haptics and as anyone who has used similar systems before the iPhone's only real innovation is its sleek UI design - touchscreen MDAs with identical functionality have been around for a few years now. I personally am excited to see where Apple takes this idea when they pick up on it, even if we have to wait a few years when the cost will be in the range of a home user. And honestly, saying the logo is like the command key is just a little desperate. Given that your link even notes that it looks like a bowen knot which most certainly is not Apple IP. This is a pretty nice idea, although it saddens me that many Apple fans are shrieking that bits of it were somehow stolen; it really does us no credit as a group. Apple by no means invented touchscreen technology or haptics and as anyone who has used similar systems before the iPhone’s only real innovation is its sleek UI design - touchscreen MDAs with identical functionality have been around for a few years now.
I personally am excited to see where Apple takes this idea when they pick up on it, even if we have to wait a few years when the cost will be in the range of a home user.

And honestly, saying the logo is like the command key is just a little desperate. Given that your link even notes that it looks like a bowen knot which most certainly is not Apple IP.

]]> By: DT blogi http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-107094 DT blogi Mon, 02 Jul 2007 05:01:10 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-107094 <strong>Microsoft Surface...</strong> Microsoft Surface on Microsofti uus tasapinnaliste arvutite tehnoloogia, mis pakub kasutajale uudset kogemust. Uue tehnoloogia nimetuseks on surface computing. Kasutaja suhtlemine arvutiga toimub ekraani vahendusel ning ekraanil toimuvat saab juhtida ... Microsoft Surface…

Microsoft Surface on Microsofti uus tasapinnaliste arvutite tehnoloogia, mis pakub kasutajale uudset kogemust. Uue tehnoloogia nimetuseks on surface computing. Kasutaja suhtlemine arvutiga toimub ekraani vahendusel ning ekraanil toimuvat saab juhtida …

]]> By: Me Too http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-106734 Me Too Mon, 25 Jun 2007 17:53:46 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-106734 This is just a “me too” classic MS vapourware in the to steer the thunder away from the iPhone. They just repackaged ideas that were already on the web for months. “Five years”? Just to say that they were there first. The proof is here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6379146923853181774 This is just a “me too” classic MS vapourware in the to steer the thunder away from the iPhone. They just repackaged ideas that were already on the web for months.
“Five years”? Just to say that they were there first.
The proof is here:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6379146923853181774

]]> By: Kev http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-106021 Kev Sat, 02 Jun 2007 04:01:49 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-106021 Multi-touch has been around since at least 1983, and probably before. And gestures long before Mr. Han. I think you'll see several companies announcing touch tables for the home later this year. It's something whose time has come. It just had to wait for the technology and imaginative applications to catch up. People who've seen it long ago, have mentioned other Surface apps that were tested. Physical 'pinball bumpers' on the screen for a virtual ball to bounce off of. Poker games, with shields for your cards. Remove the shield for a break, and the cards vanish. Real estate agents are going crazy over the idea of a Surface to give customers virtual tours. There's so many apps that you could make money from. Use your imagination. Multi-touch has been around since at least 1983, and probably before. And gestures long before Mr. Han.

I think you’ll see several companies announcing touch tables for the home later this year. It’s something whose time has come. It just had to wait for the technology and imaginative applications to catch up.

People who’ve seen it long ago, have mentioned other Surface apps that were tested. Physical ‘pinball bumpers’ on the screen for a virtual ball to bounce off of. Poker games, with shields for your cards. Remove the shield for a break, and the cards vanish. Real estate agents are going crazy over the idea of a Surface to give customers virtual tours. There’s so many apps that you could make money from. Use your imagination.

]]> By: Tom http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105967 Tom Thu, 31 May 2007 10:35:18 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105967 I think the fun will really start when the displays become much more commonplace, at that point we will really see what engineers and developers can produce in their user interfaces. On big question I have is around the intended applications for these displays? Coffee tables? not sure about that one. I wonder how resistant they are to fluids, grease, scratches etc. It might be a pretty grim experience trying to look through 5 days of finger grease and wear spots. I think the fun will really start when the displays become much more commonplace, at that point we will really see what engineers and developers can produce in their user interfaces.

On big question I have is around the intended applications for these displays? Coffee tables? not sure about that one. I wonder how resistant they are to fluids, grease, scratches etc. It might be a pretty grim experience trying to look through 5 days of finger grease and wear spots.

]]> By: ijoselito http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105927 ijoselito Wed, 30 May 2007 17:10:33 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105927 What a crap! Microsoft has discovered something? Unfortunately it seems that Safari is unable to load the page, I have tried with Firefox, more than 2 minutes to load a black screen. Opera does the same, so here I am, waiting to see some exciting coming out of MS but no response, maybe is because I am using a Mac. After full five minutes loading the website (please someone give a Nielsen-Norman book about web-usability to Bill Gates) I am browsing the website. I have been doing my research in multitouch interfaces for a while, and this is nothing surprisingly new. I have seen the Jeff Han video a while ago and other similar interfaces, again MS makes it look like if they were the only hardware-software company in the world, and behind all the most amazing inventions in the history, I AM NOT BUYING IT!. I can't wait to the LEOPARD release and check what the guys in Cupertino are doing, but this seems like another iPOD Vs ZUNE war, if that have ever existed. What a crap! Microsoft has discovered something?

Unfortunately it seems that Safari is unable to load the page, I have tried with Firefox, more than 2 minutes to load a black screen. Opera does the same, so here I am, waiting to see some exciting coming out of MS but no response, maybe is because I am using a Mac. After full five minutes loading the website (please someone give a Nielsen-Norman book about web-usability to Bill Gates) I am browsing the website.

I have been doing my research in multitouch interfaces for a while, and this is nothing surprisingly new. I have seen the Jeff Han video a while ago and other similar interfaces, again MS makes it look like if they were the only hardware-software company in the world, and behind all the most amazing inventions in the history, I AM NOT BUYING IT!.

I can’t wait to the LEOPARD release and check what the guys in Cupertino are doing, but this seems like another iPOD Vs ZUNE war, if that have ever existed.

]]> By: Roger Wong http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105926 Roger Wong Wed, 30 May 2007 17:07:25 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105926 If you guys explore the site more, you'll note that the Surface project started in 2001. (Check out the History section.) Multitouch technology is not new as Isaac mentioned. I think what's coolest about this is the integration with real-world objects. When I first saw this I was blown away and _saddened_ that Apple didn't come up with this first. It's cool stuff. If you guys explore the site more, you’ll note that the Surface project started in 2001. (Check out the History section.) Multitouch technology is not new as Isaac mentioned. I think what’s coolest about this is the integration with real-world objects.

When I first saw this I was blown away and _saddened_ that Apple didn’t come up with this first. It’s cool stuff.

]]> By: Steve http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105923 Steve Wed, 30 May 2007 14:54:14 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105923 Yup. Rotate the command key symbol 45° and disconnect the loops in a couple places. Voila! Those unfamiliar with the command key's history should <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Command_key" rel="nofollow">read this</a>. Yup. Rotate the command key symbol 45° and disconnect the loops in a couple places. Voila!

Those unfamiliar with the command key’s history should read this.

]]> By: Mrad http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105919 Mrad Wed, 30 May 2007 14:07:11 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105919 The surface stuff won't start "appearing" until winter 2007. Did they rush this to try to steal Leopard's/iPhone's thunder? Methinks so. It is interesting that WWDC is almost two weeks away... Nice site though. Too bad they can't write valid markup (doctype anyone?). The surface stuff won’t start “appearing” until winter 2007. Did they rush this to try to steal Leopard’s/iPhone’s thunder? Methinks so. It is interesting that WWDC is almost two weeks away…

Nice site though. Too bad they can’t write valid markup (doctype anyone?).

]]> By: tvon http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105917 tvon Wed, 30 May 2007 13:14:31 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105917 Identifying that there is a cell phone on top of the "table" is neat, and it's the only "new" thing that Surface seems to offer tech-wise. Identifying that there is a cell phone on top of the “table” is neat, and it’s the only “new” thing that Surface seems to offer tech-wise.

]]> By: Isaac http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105916 Isaac Wed, 30 May 2007 13:07:14 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105916 All of this touch screen stuff was taken from Jeff Han from a while back. You can see his video online here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwGAKUForhM There was really no innovation from either side on this one, it just came down to who could buy it first. And the Surface logo looks like a penis. Seriously, who comes up with Microsoft's logos? They all suck. All of this touch screen stuff was taken from Jeff Han from a while back. You can see his video online here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwGAKUForhM

There was really no innovation from either side on this one, it just came down to who could buy it first.

And the Surface logo looks like a penis. Seriously, who comes up with Microsoft’s logos? They all suck.

]]> By: alan http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105915 alan Wed, 30 May 2007 12:35:20 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105915 I smell a lawsuit... A few similar things was previewed with the iPhone, but Microsoft decided to have their way with it (which isn't necessarly a bad thing) We might not see something similar at WWDC, but give it a little time and we may. One can only hope! I smell a lawsuit…

A few similar things was previewed with the iPhone, but Microsoft decided to have their way with it (which isn’t necessarly a bad thing)

We might not see something similar at WWDC, but give it a little time and we may. One can only hope!

]]> By: Hannes http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105909 Hannes Wed, 30 May 2007 10:17:36 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105909 Im just oOoOoO I want so see this stuff become real. no matter if microsoft or apple! Those vids are superb, really! Im just oOoOoO I want so see this stuff become real. no matter if microsoft or apple! Those vids are superb, really!

]]> By: Honza http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105908 Honza Wed, 30 May 2007 08:55:28 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105908 Since every website these days seems to requires flash 8 or 9 (WHY?), I can't even find out what this is about... Since every website these days seems to requires flash 8 or 9 (WHY?), I can’t even find out what this is about…

]]> By: jules http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105906 jules Wed, 30 May 2007 08:00:13 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105906 Exactly. Where have we seen all that resizing before? What about the logo? Seems slightly familiar to me?! However, I can't deny it does look pretty cool. Exactly. Where have we seen all that resizing before?

What about the logo? Seems slightly familiar to me?!

However, I can’t deny it does look pretty cool.

]]> By: Schlaeps http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105902 Schlaeps Wed, 30 May 2007 06:29:31 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-surface-a-precursor-to-an-apple-announcement/#comment-105902 Patent infringement much? Patent infringement much?

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