How would you use this in the office?
A few years back I gathered around a hacked up Ikea table and couldn't believe my eyes. Tucked into the corner of a trade show of sorts on campus, behind a curtain reserved only for full-time employees, was a device doing things people were only talking about at the time. Photos were spilling out of little chips onto the table. People were playing common board games and finger painting by touch. Entire music collections were being dragged around as song lists were created. The crowd listened and watched as the potential for such a device was outlined.
Fast forward to yesterday and the world is now getting to see something a few of us have been keeping bottled up since that Ikea table was first demonstrated. Microsoft Surface, after multiple code names and designs, has finally arrived. And while what it does is still impressive, where it will first be used is the real news. When first demo'd we were only shown its home uses. Now we're going to see how it will work for businesses such a T-Mobile and Harrah's.
So what's next? The workplace, of course! At least we assume. We have no inside information. But there is most certainly potential. I can foresee a day where the Surface replaces the conference room table. No more handing out copies of documents or sending e-mail to people who didn't get the presentation. Everything can be shared at the table electronically. What about reserving the room to begin with? If the Surface is in the lobby, you could find out which rooms were being used for which meetings, which were available, etc. And if you missed the meeting, how about being able to simply drag the meeting notes and other materials onto your laptop, cell phone or other portable device?
These are pretty simplistic ideas. And they were generated before my first cup of coffee. I'm sure you can think of better uses. Why not tell us all? Leave a comment and share your ideas.
-- Mark
