New Microsoft Surface Table To Be Released Early Next Year
Table Computer Uses Advanced Sensor Tech Developed With Samsung
“Gee, I really wish I could search the Internet, watch a digital video transfer, and make a virtual finger painting on a large touch-screen coffee table.” I’m sure you’ve thought it – we all have…right? Well, maybe not. Nevertheless, Microsoft thinks this could be the home computer of the future. The futuristic-looking coffee table seen here is the second-generation of Microsoft’s “table computer.” This “Microsoft Surface computer” concept has been around for a few years now, but the newest model pictured here won’t be released until January of next year, a full 12 months after making its public debut at the January 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. If you’re an anxious would-be customer, you can now preorder the new device, which was built in partnership with Samsung, for a cool $8,400.
This enormous tablet, dubbed the “Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface” by some overpaid marketing guy, marks the second attempt by Microsoft to bring multi-touch computing into the living room on a much larger scale that we’re used to. When the first generation was announced in May of 2007, just the idea of a multi-touch display seemed pretty far out (remember, this was about a month before the first i-Phone was released). Now, we’re all used to touch-screen devices, but don’t be fooled; the SUR40 is no oversized iPad. Compared to the original version from a few years back, the new device features a much faster processor, totally revamped operating software, and a completely new display technology using new sensor hardware that promises to make touch recognition more accurate. Here’s how it works.
The touch screen uses a unique touch recognition technology called PixelSense, which allows the LCD display to “see” without using cameras. Each of the display’s 2 million pixels has its own sensor that can pick up visible or infrared light. It can recognize up to 50 points of contact at any time, and can even differentiate among multiple users by the sizes of their fingers and their position around the screen. Unlike the capacitive touch-screens used on smartphones and tablet computers, this screen can actually see what’s being placed on it, not just sense where a finger is making contact. For example, you can place an item such as a playing card on the table, and the computer can recognize it, and even save the image. It’s sort of like a cross between a tablet and a huge, instantaneous scanner. The display is a flat-panel monitor, unlike the first-generation model which worked with a combination of projectors. The new device can be mounted on walls to be used vertically, or in its original horizontal “table” configuration. Though not exactly cheap at $8,400, the new SUR40 actually costs $4,100 less than its predecessor.
According to Microsoft, the “SUR40 with PixelSense technology makes it possible for people to share, collaborate and explore together using a large, thin display. Recognizing up to 50 points of simultaneous touch, including fingers, hands and other objects placed on the screen, it has been well-received by new and existing Surface customers.” Given its size and price, the SUR40 remains a specialty device marketed to businesses, not home users – yet.
