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A Look Beneath the 'Surface'
Hajsky writes "Ars Technica takes a closer look at Microsoft's new "Surface" tabletop device. Turns out that Surface isn't actually a touchscreen at all, but uses five cameras located in the table's base to record movement and touch. 'The five cameras are near-infrared devices, but that's not because they are trying to read heat signatures from fingertips (or other body parts) on the table. Instead, it's because the entire surface of Surface is bathed in light; by illuminating the top of the table, the cameras can easily see when things are placed on it. Shining colored light across the surface of the table would spoil the effect that Microsoft wants, so near-infrared light is used for invisible illumination.' The whole setup runs on a Core 2 Duo and off-the-shelf hardware, and can handle 52 simultaneous touches." jfanning wrote with a link to an overview of similar technology used in the Helsinki 'CityWall'. The article she provides discusses the unique public display, and has an in-depth video on the way these kinds of setups work.
A camera doesn't just detect touch, it can detect movement, objects, people, etc. For example, if you where in a conference room, and someone lifted a chair to throw, then the cameras could identify the object being thrown, who is throwing it, and whom it was aimed at, and then play the appropriate sound file DUCK.wav!!!
You get a helpful warning.
Drop a pack of playing cards on it?
To configure the 'touchscreen' driver, you must first configure 'touchscreen' driver.
Sounds like a typical error message.
"Drop a pack of playing cards on it?"
Oh, I get it. This device is in anticipation of an upgrade to Microsoft Windows Solitaire Technology.
Oh, great. So my carpet becomes the power cord and my coffee spill now becomes my death.
Global symbol "$deity" requires explicit package name at line 2. - If only $scripture started "use strict;"
Can't wait to put my porn collection on "surface". I hope the "52 simultaneous touches" includes slapping.
"I could go on and on. None of this is really mindblowing"
But at least we have prior art on it now...
Money is the root of all evil?
I imagine those who can afford a $5-10k Surface computer can also afford to have it cleaned regularly, and more than likely will place it somewhere that dirty people can't very well afford to be very often. They might even provide little monitor cleaning wipes right there at the Surface to let you manage your germ phobia as you see fit!
Another desperate struggle to hate something neat because it's from MIKKKRO$OFT. Sigh. Must be hell with that woman -- she won't touch anything "dirty?" Yikes.
everything in moderation
On the other hand: Your cat will piss on the floor only once.
Have gnu, will travel.