Gizmodo
-
space
First TV Image of Mars Ever Was Made With Crayons
What you are looking at here is the very first image ever taken of the surface of Mars. It was acquired by NASA's Mariner 4 using a television camera, and rendered using crayons. Look closer: More »
0
51
By Jesus DiazComment by Kaiser-Machead: Crayons are highly a highly underrated drawing medium. 9 Responses | Other threads
-
clips
Microsoft Presents Us With Their Vision of the Future
XUI, or experience-user-interface, is Microsoft's anticipated evolution of the NUI, or natural user interface (a la Surface). What's that really mean? It means something amazing—essentially computers/life rethought. More »
0
By Mark WilsonComment by Lukasz Fabis: I'm unimpressed. Flashy concepts are a dime a dozen. Show me the actual research. 9 Responses | Other threads
-
surface
Microsoft Surface Is an Incredible User Experience That Sucks a Whole Bunch to Setup
Surface is a triumph of Microsoft usability and design. It's a multitouch table computer. Minority Report! And so on. Setting it up, however? Ominous foreshadowing: It comes with a keyboard and mouse. More »
0
Comment by hu_hu_cool: Why Microsoft do you always have to screw your customers? You did it with vista, you did it with the... 13 Responses | Other threads
-
multitouch
Maximum PC Builds a Surface-like Multitouch PC for $350
Maximum PC didn't like the idea of paying $12,000 for a Microsoft Surface. So what did they do? They made their own multitouch table PC for a fraction of the price. More »
0
Comment by Invisiblemoose: "Maximum PC Builds a Surface-like Multitouch PC for $350" "Maximum PC didn't like the idea of paying $12,000 for a Microsoft... 9 Responses | Other threads
-
playing god
Microsoft's Interactive Omnidirectional Projector Puts You in the God Seat
An omnidirectional projector with a camera inside watches your hand movements and reacts fast, like a planetarium-wide Surface table. Does it give you a Zaphod-sized ego? Hell yes it does. Check out this vid: More »
0
Comment by Hello Mister Walrus: Is anyone else bored that these are always used to project stars? How about some zombies or Godzilla attack for... 5 Responses | Other threads
-
microsoft
Super Bowl Security Uses Microsoft Surface For Coordination, Holding Up Nacho Bowls
The people in charge of Super Bowl CIVIII, or whatever they're up to now, are going to be using Microsoft's Surface to coordinate and view the goings on in Tampa this Sunday. More »
0
By Jason ChenComment by audioeric: So, what is the surface being used for that a regular large screen can't be used for? I still... 9 Responses | Other threads
-
patents
Sony Patents Surface-Like Touchscreen Printer
A new patent app from Sony reveals a pretty interesting inkjet printer that takes design cues from the Microsoft Surface. More » -
fail
As Seen at CES: Microsoft Surface Fail [UPDATED]
Intrepid reader Yves Milord snapped a pic of what might be the first error message seen on a Microsoft Surface. UPDATED More »
0
By Dan NosowitzComment by rimplestultskin, macberry fanboy: hahahahahahahahahah. although i'm pretty sure microsoft has had program errors before at trade shows, so humorous as this is, it isn't... 15 Responses | Other threads
-
-
carbon fiber
Carbon Fiber Surface Table Is Thin, Really Thin
I don't know that anyone goes around complaining that their table is just too darned thick, but this carbon fiber "Surface" Table has been fashioned to a scant 2mm.
0
By Mark WilsonComment by Hello Mister Walrus: So I know carbon fiber has incredible tensile strength, but how does this translate into rigidity? "Raw" carbon fiber just... 10 Responses | Other threads
-
microsoft surface
BMW First Car Company to Implement Microsoft Surface
By allowing its snooty customers to manipulate the snooty Microsoft Surface interface with their snooty fingers, BMW has officially become the first car maker to offer the touchscreen tech to a worldwide car-buying audience. Impressed? Me neither, but that's just because I'm a low-paid writer who's insanely jealous of anyone driving a car that's hotter than my 2006 Mercury Milan. So, basically everyone.
0
By Jack LoftusComment by vista64guy: You guys don't consider Apple snooty? Are we measuring both companies by the same stick of snootiness? That being said,... 32 Responses | Other threads
-
movie review
Quantum of Solace Is the Perfect Bond Movie
The latest Bond is the perfect Bond Movie. Yes. It is. In fact, Quantum of Solace is not only the perfect Bond movie, it's the best Bond movie ever, period. Even surpassing Casino Royale—and I mean both the Craig's one and the original Peter Sellers, David Niven, and Woody Allen's delirium—which to me surpassed Connery's best (I know, sacrilege). It has everything a Bond film must have and more: Cars, cocktails, airplanes, boats, cocktails, smart hot girls, evil baddies, slimy baddie sidekicks, cocktails, and gadgets. Contrary to previous versions, the new Bond actually has some cool gadgets in it. I don't mean cheesy stupid mini-rockets firing from the exhaust pipe of an Aston Martin or laser watches that can cut through steel and french lingerie. I mean cool, believable technology that integrates in the movie transparently. More » -
microsoft secondlight
Microsoft SecondLight Caught on Video: It's Like Surface, With Magic
Microsoft announced the SecondLight table a few days ago, offering plenty of explanations as to how this modified, quasi-X-ray Surface table works and how one might use it, but little in the way of visual aides. The dual-projection system, by which the table identifies where it is being touched and projects a second, alternative image didn't sound like the kind of thing that would look, well, seamless. As it turns out, it does. Say what you will about the SecondLight's incredibly complicated design, but you can't deny that, in motion, the hidden overlay concept is pretty impressive. [PCPro via Slashdot]
0
By John HerrmanComment by OMG! DEITY!: Wow, quite impressive, especially from Microsoft! 3 Responses | Other threads
-
surface
Surprise: Microsoft Surface Costs More Than Expected
When Microsoft announced its Surface multitouch computer, we knew it'd be a toy for well-funded, respectable news outlets long before Joe the Plumbers, since it was going to cost $10,000. Turns out, it actually costs more like $13,500. That's with a 10 percent discount! Microsoft is still expecting good ol' economies of scale to kick in to help fulfill its dream of fancy coffee tables in every home, but uh, you might want to hang on to that iPhone or something if you want the multitouch future anytime soon. [Cnet via ZD Net]
0
Comment by unkpku has a really long fucking screenname because i saw some other people do it: A "GLAD"iator? 4 Responses | Other threads
-
what's taking you so long in there?
Interactive Mirrors: The Inevitable Future of Vanity
Lit Studios and Interference inc, the same guys who made that ridiculous laser pointer wall a few weeks ago, are back with a touch-enabled interactive mirror. Using a combination of projection techniques, they were able to superimpose a clear, vivid, moving image on top of a regular reflection, creating the bathroom mirror HUD that humanity (read: the sci-fi community) has been yearning for since about 1950. More »
0
By John HerrmanComment by spyguy99: Didn't they have one of these on CSI:Miami last week? 1 Responses | Other threads
-
multitouch
SMART Table for Kids is Like a Cheaper, Funner-er Microsoft Surface
As much fun as it is to tinker with Microsoft's multitouch Surface table, most of its applications have been decidedly gimmicky. By offering a lower price (sooner than MS), more compact design, and more complete suite of software, SmartTech wants to bring multitouch tables to the people who would probably most appreciate them — kids. From the video (and press release), it looks as if the SMART Table has a nearly identical — if not better — set of capabilities to the Surface: multitouch, gesture support, a 27in screen and a super-simple SDK. Details are slim at the moment, but the price is a comparatively low $7000, so expect to see the SMART Table popping up in more affluent school districts as early as Spring 2009. [SMART via Crunchgear]
0
By John HerrmanComment by theogcasey: My high school had the SMART Boards in every classroom and they definitely came in handy in classes like Physics... more » | Other threads
-
surface
Microsoft SecondLight Adds Extra Layers to Surface
Microsoft seems to be throwing every wild touchscreen idea it can into research right now, first prototyping their weird SideSight cellphone motion detector earlier this week, and now revealing SecondLight, a “magic lens” compatriot to their Surface multitouch table. SecondLight allows users to slide a type of transparent screen on top of the regular Surface display, and see extra info displayed on the screen. For instance, using SecondLight over an image of a car turns it into x-ray specs that show model's wireframe underbelly. More »
0
By Elaine ChowComment by Act Now and get a 4th Celebrity Death Free!: Lite: But, will it act like x-ray specs when I see a clothed woman online? This is an impressive bit of tech,... 4 Responses | Other threads
-
microsoft surface
Microsoft Survey Hints At "Oahu," Surface Multitouch Table At Consumer Prices
Microsoft is at least considering releasing a consumer-priced version of its Surface computer, if a marketing research survey is to believed. The survey is centered around a device called “Oahu,” which, from its description, sounds a lot like the table we've all come to know and love: a multitouch flat screen that sits like a table top and allows for multiple users to interact with it at once. More »
0
By Elaine ChowComment by ahm3d3sa: Seriously, I don't know if I want to touch the same screen with other people... not sanitary. That's why the... 11 Responses | Other threads
-
surface
Microsoft Surface SDK Coming This Month
Do you want to develop niche multitouch applications for a platform that most people will never get their hands on for the foreseeable future? You're in luck. Later this month, Microsoft will be releasing its Surface SDK beyond the few companies that have been privy to it since launch to attendees of its Professional Developer Conference. I am curious to see what kind of multitouch gaming could come out of more developers having access to the kit, but the fact that you can't just go out and buy one for your living room undoubtedly puts a damper on development fever for the platform. [Cnet]
0
Comment by rcast1986: Geez, are you incapable of saying ANYTHING nice about Microsoft? If this were Apple... ...I won't even get into it. 2 Responses | Other threads
-
ceatec 2008
Pioneer 3D Floating Vision: Half Wii, Half Surface, All 3D
Pioneer showed off their new Floating Vision technology at CEATEC this year. It's a system of layers: first, an LCD with built-in computer, then an array of 3D lenses, and finally the "space sensor," or virtual screen, where you can wave your fingers around and watch the 3D animations react accordingly. But the space sensor can also distinguish between and interact with different objects, like the Microsoft Surface: hold your phone under a falling object, say, and it'll appear on your phone's screen with a coupon for that item. Second video after the jump. More » -
clips
Microsoft Surface on a Wii Balance Board
It's tough to imagine the eureka moment when an engineer, equating the Microsoft Surface with a fat person with a penchant for curly fries dipped in ranch, decided to place the Surface on the Wii Balance Board. But the result, coupled with a custom-coded Surface app, creates a tilt screen of epic proportions. Pushing on one edge of the Surface works just like rotating an iPhone. And we can't wait to see the technology manifest to an insane 4-player co-op game of Monkey Ball. [Stimulant via ubergizmo]
0
By Mark WilsonComment by Bokusatsu_Tenshi: Nice and all, and maybe this is just be being grumpy because today I'm grumpy... But am I the only one... 1 Responses | Other threads
-
education
Education's Many Problems Solved With Multitouch Desks
Education is a bitch. Teachers usually leave the profession within five years, kids either bomb standardized tests or learn them so well they bottom out immediately after, and funding is scarcer and scarcer to come by. The solution? Interactive multi-touch desks, naturally! More »
0
Comment by jinsaotomex4: They just need to get rid of the mandatory classes that are not relevant to your major... Seriously, do I... 4 Responses | Other threads
-
diy
LED Coffee Table Plays Four-Way Pong (Can Surface Do That?)
Well, yes, it probably could, but as yet it's only there for picking the interior color for your new BMW and the like. So for now, this DIY coffee table with a matrix of 4,092 LEDs is what I want in my living room. Using 65 microcontrollers and four Atari 2600 joysticks, the circuit wizards at Sparkfun have loaded their LED table with four-way cooperative Pong, which actually looks like a lot of fun in action. More »
0
By John MahoneyComment by pinball21: Would anybody here purchase a coffee table with an all mechanical (No Plug) Pinball Machine? Just Like This One - 3 Responses | Other threads
-
election 2008
Microsoft Surface Predicts the Election with McCain and Obama Bobbleheads
MSNBC had an impromptu demonstration of its new Microsoft Surface table this morning, and gave political analyst Chuck Todd a chance to play with his dollies. At first, the goateed Todd moved states around, zooming, coloring and highlighting with his finger. Though he didn't really have a full handle on all the features himself, the demo was pretty much Surface as usual, until he brought out his bobbleheads. More »
0
By Dan NosowitzComment by zanella: "Red vs. Blue" would be a very good political campaign indeed. Somebody call the folks from Rooster Teeth! 3 Responses | Other threads
-
multitouch
TouchKit Brings Surface-Like Multitouch to the Nerdy Masses
Touchkit, an open source (software and hardware) multitouch kit designed by NOR_/D, has been announced at a $1580 price point, or roughly 1/8th the cost of Microsoft's Surface table. That's not to say that the TouchKit is equivalent or even necessarily a competitor to Microsoft's offering, but it is theoretically capable of many of the same flashy tricks. The system must be hooked up to a separate computer, and also requires an external projector. As you can see in the video, there's not exactly a whole lot it can do out of the box, but the open source platform can be tweaked by anyone with a little knowledge of C++. Check out the gallery of the hardware and potential installations are their site. [Gizmag]
0
By John HerrmanComment by Crash Override 777: Wow is it me or has rap just get more lamer? 5 Responses | Other threads
-
microsoft
Uncrating the First Surface Table in Australia
Unlike many gadgets, the Microsoft Surface Table isn't something that a lot of consumers get a chance to unbox for themselves. That doesn't mean you shouldn't get to enjoy seeing some lucky Aussies from the Amnesia Blog pulling the first Surface in the land down under out of its crate. Follow me past the jump for a nice dose of living vicariously through others. More »
0
By Adam FrucciComment by Optimistic Prime: Sadly, the first thought I had was who taught you guys to use a crowbar?? You need to get... more » | Other threads
-
surface sphere
Hands On With the Microsoft Surface Sphere Prototype
Microsoft's Surface Sphere operates a lot like the original Surface, utilizing a projector surrounded by a ring of IR cameras, which is then covered by a semi-opaque globe. The IR cameras detect when the beams are being blocked, and transmits it as contact. Using it, I found there are still a few early glitches, but this is an amazing piece of technology and far along for a prototype. More »
0
Comment by cy3: Must.....have........Microsoft's..........BALLS! No, but seriously, hasn't sumthing like this already been made a couple years ago w/ a lamp?(ik, not the same,... more » | Other threads
-
microsoft sphere
Microsoft Multi-touch Sphere Plays 360-Degree Video, Trippiest Pong Game Ever
The Seattle PI has the first look at Microsoft's multi-touch Surface Sphere—simply Sphere—that we've known would debut this week. It's more advanced than Surface, since it has to use algorithms to round images, and uses an infrared system to detect hands and objects touching it. It plays omnidirectional video and what has to be the craziest rendition of Pong ever. The video shows a lot of amazing potential, but incredulously, it's just an ooh-and-ah project right now, with no commercial plans—it's just supposed to relay their vision of everything as a potential Surface. We're convinced, now make it happen. [Seattle PI]
0
Comment by Garrison Dean: R.O.A.C.H.: Does this mean next week Apple will release one 1/100th the size that you can actually buy? more » | Other threads
-
surface
Microsoft Surface Sphere Will Be Multi-touchable Next Week
Microsoft is going to debut its spherical multi-touch Surface next week at its annual Research Faculty Summit. We're pretty curious about what you can do with a big ball of multi-touch (and wondering about the little things—is it a perfect sphere? How are you supposed to hold it? Is it like a globe?). They pulled references to it off the exhibit list (to keep it a surprise, probably), but it's still very much on the floor display map, as you can see. We're stoked. [Mary-Jo Foley]
0
Comment by Captain_Sarcastic: "Enhancing family connectedness", provided your family burns money for kicks. more » | Other threads
-
Digital wall
Panasonic Shows Off Surface-Like Digital Wall
Microsoft's getting some competition for its Surface device. Panasonic is showing off a very Surface-like product it's calling Digital Wall, and it's exactly what it sounds like. While at this point it doesn't appear to offer all the the features of Surface it could also come in much cheaper that the Microsoft version, and for many people that's the key. Hit the jump for a short video of the Digital Wall in action. [Digital World Tokyo] More »
0
By Matt HickeyComment by deusdiabolus: Wall vs. table? I'm thinking wall is cooler, but if I'm all curled up on the couch with snack... more » | Other threads
-
marketing of the future
Disney's Innoventions Dream Home is a Big Ad For Microsoft and HP...But I Still Want It
Recently, Disney announced the grand opening of their new Innoventions Dream Home located in Tomorrowland in Anaheim, Calif. The construction was a collaborative effort between Disneyland, Microsoft, HP, Life|ware and home-builder Taylor Morrison—so naturally the home functions more as a big advertising campaign for current products than an actual "home of the future." Still, I wouldn't mind booting out the fictional Elias family from their 5000-square-foot home to get my hands on some of this tech. More »
0
By Sean FallonComment by tegronin: i think this disply WAS at epcot about 8 years ago...they have had a house of the future at epcot... more » | Other threads
-
microsoft surface
Microsoft Surface Debuts For Drunken Vacationers At the Rio in Vegas
Microsoft's following up its initial retail rollout of their Surface Table at AT&T with a slightly sleazier version in Vegas. The Rio is going to get six Surface tables, which allows patrons to order drinks and play mini-games with their buddies. The most interesting is a "Flirt" application, which lets you try your luck electronically with people at other Surface tables without actually going over there and talking to them. How well does vomit come off of these things again? [Surface Blog]
0
By Jason ChenComment by pashdown: "Erase this crap and put video poker on these things!" in 3.. 2.. 1.. more » | Other threads
-
windows 7
Windows 7 Features Revealed
Here's what Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer revealed about Windows 7 at All Things Digital a few minutes ago. The biggest "feature" is the touch and multi-touch integration, which takes many of its roots from Microsoft's Surface Table, and will be available as an interface options for other apps. Here's some more stuff they pulled out, which we captured in photos here. More »
0
By Jason ChenComment by OtisMilda: Wow!!! Microsoft Windows 7 rocks!!! Yeah! more » | Other threads
-
clips
Microsoft TouchWall: Surface for the Common Man
While we found Microsoft's Surface interesting for retail contexts, it's simply too expensive (at $10,000) for the average consumer to get all that excited about. But Microsoft has an enticing alternative to the Surface called the TouchWall—a rear-projection system constructed from just "a few hundred dollars worth of readily available hardware." And their demonstration is more than a little impressive. More »
0
By Mark WilsonComment by reddevil: People have been doing this for a while. You can also make your own....you have to get a projector, a... more » | Other threads
-
weird combo of the day
Microsoft Surface Model Now American Gladiator
Remember that Microsoft Surface model? The one that was a competitor on American Gladiators last season and actually managed to win the whole thing? She's actually a Gladiator now (her name is Jet), and really beefed up for the part. We would make a multi-touch joke here, but she'd break our fingers off and shove them into our eyeballs, so we won't. Hit the jump for her new photo. More »
0
By Jason ChenComment by Set to evil: Nothing siginfies the end of a society like Gladiators in combat for entertainment. more » | Other threads
-
microsoft surface
Microsoft Surface + Xbox 360 = What?
Stefano from onthetabletop attended CHI 2008, where several members of the Microsoft Surface team was there tossing around ideas. One of the more interesting ideas, besides slimming down the table so it could fit inside spaces smaller than bars and AT&T stores, was shoving an Xbox 360 inside. Why would you do this? To allow the 360 to become an additional control input mechanism, possibly making RTS games SO MUCH EASIER TO PLAY. Will it happen? Who knows. These guys could have just been just daydreaming possible features to impress female attendees. [On the Tabletop]
0
By Jason ChenComment by HeeroYuy01W: It's a 2D version of Tom Clancy's End War. If you watch the demo vid. that's basically what it is.... more » | Other threads
-
microsoft surface
Multi-grope: Interacting with Microsoft Surface at the AT&T Store
Microsoft's near-mythical Surface table just appeared at five AT&T Stores across the country (with seven more locations soon to get one), and we were happy to have a go with it this morning. As you'll see in the video, this one is programmed for mobile phone sales pitches, and doesn't have all of the fun apps we've heard about, but even here, Surface's massive, beautiful potential is obvious. More » -
surface
AT&T Surface Retail Demo: Buying a Cellphone Finally Doesn't Suck
AT&T just ran us through a demo of what shopping with Microsoft's Surface at their stores is gonna be like. It's wayyy better than dealing with an embittered, ill-informed retail drone. You can dynamically check out coverage, smoothly zooming in and out for a fantastically detailed view of where you might get 3G, for instance. You can throw a phone on there and mess around with its features, or even better, slap two on the table and compare them head-to-head, feature-to-feature. Of course, it'll also sell you more shit, like the whole range of device accessories, or ringtones and media. -
retail
AT&T Stores the First to Get Microsoft's Surface Table
It looks like AT&T will be the first retailer to plunk down the coin for Microsoft's fancy-pants Surface table, installing them in its stores on April 17th. More » -
surface
Microsoft Surface in Your House in 2011
For Microsoft, full speed-ahead on a cheaper consumer version of Surface, its multi-touch computer table, means 2011. Tom Gibbons, VP of Microsoft specialized apps and devices group says that "In the three-year time window, we absolutely see how to get there. If we can beat that, we'll try to beat that." Alas, it's Microsoft, so they're already running late on the initial launch to companies waving around a lot more money than you. Expect to hang onto your Ikea coffee table until 2012, to be safe. [Fortune] -
microsoft
Microsoft Reportedly Working on Sphere Shaped Version of Surface
By now you have probably heard quite a bit about Microsoft's "Surface" multi-touch table, and now ZDNet is claiming that the company has been showing off a sphere-shaped version of the technology around their campus. We know that Microsoft is pushing to get this technology into homes sooner rather than later, but a spherical device doesn't seem to be all that practical (unless you are a fortune teller or something). However, when it comes to the future of this device, we will just have to wait and see. [ZDNet via Electronista]
surface
Gizmodo Team
Tip your editors:
tips@gizmodo.com
Editorial Director:
Brian Lam | Email | Twitter
Editor:
Jason Chen
Email | AIM | Twitter
Features Editor:
Wilson Rothman
Email | Twitter
Senior Associate Editor:
Jesus Diaz
Email | AIM | Twitter
Associate Editors:
Mark Wilson
Email | AIM | Twitter
Matt Buchanan
Email | AIM | Twitter
Adam Frucci
Email | Twitter
Contributing Editors:
Sean Fallon
Email | Twitter
Jack Loftus
Email | Twitter
John Herrman
Email | Twitter
Dan Nosowitz
Email
Editorial Assistant:
Chris Mascari
Email
Andrea Wang
Email | Twitter
Columnist:
Brendan I. Koerner
Comment Intern::
Nick Ellenoff | Email
Comment Account Questions:
Comments@gizmodo.com
Original material is licensed under a Creative Commons License permitting non-commercial sharing with attribution.
