Surface Computing – Imagine The Possibilities

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• April-May 2008 Issue
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From the April/May 2008 Issue

Like many of the contributors from this publication and its executive editor, I spent a week at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada in early January. This is a time for the various technology-related companies to show off what they have been working on to members of the press and others.

I saw several new innovations that were noteworthy and will most likely write about them in future columns. However, one piece of technology stood out in my eyes as having the most possibilities, especially for the accounting profession, which is rapidly moving to a less-paper environment. I’m speaking of Microsoft Surface (codenamed Milan), which is releasing this year. Although it was officially unveiled last May, this was my first chance to see it close up.

What is Microsoft Surface?
Microsoft Surface is the first commercially available surface computer from Microsoft Corporation, which turns an ordinary tabletop into a vibrant, interactive surface. Think of it as a much larger version (30-inch display in a table-like form factor, to be exact) of the Apple iPhone. It provides effortless interaction with digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects.

Initially intended for restaurants, hotels, retail and public entertainment venues, according to Microsoft, this experience will transform the way people shop, dine, entertain and live. Several retail and hospitality giants have already committed to this product, including Harrah’s Entertainment, Starwood (Sheraton) Hotels and Restaurants, and T-Mobile.

Surface works by using cameras to sense objects, hand gestures and touch. This user input is then processed, and the result is displayed on the surface using rear projection. Anyone frequenting an establishment where one of these units will be in operation will admit to a unique experience. Consider ordering from a restaurant menu that is displayed right on the table top on which you will consume your meal. When the food and drink is placed on the table, the table will “interact” with the object by generating graphical movement beneath it. And when the meal is over, placing your credit card on the tabletop will generate an interactive way to not only pay the check, but to also add the tip and divide the bill.

How did Microsoft Surface come to market?
It’s been a long road. In 2001, Stevie Bathiche of Microsoft Hardware and Andy Wilson of Microsoft Research began working together on various projects that took advantage of their complementary expertise in the areas of hardware and software. In one of their regular brainstorm sessions, they started talking about an idea for an interactive table that could understand the manipulation of physical pieces. Although there were related efforts happening in academia, Bathiche and Wilson saw the need for a product where the interaction was richer and more intuitive, and at the same time practical for everyone to use.

This conversation was the beginning of an idea that would later result in the development of Surface. And over the course of the following year, various people at Microsoft involved in developing new product concepts, including the gaming-specific PlayTable, continued to think through the possibilities and feasibility of the project. Then, in October 2001, a virtual team was formed to fully pursue bringing the idea to the next stage of development; Bathiche and Wilson were key members of the team.

In early 2003, the new Consumer Products Group, led by David Kurlander, presented the idea in a group review to Bill Gates, Microsoft chairman. Gates instantly liked the idea and encouraged the team to continue to develop their thinking. The virtual team expanded, and within a month, through constant discussion and brainstorming, the first humble prototype was born and nicknamed T1. The model was based on an IKEA table with a hole cut in the top and a sheet of architect vellum used as a diffuser. The evolution of Surface had begun.