MSR Techfest 2006, articles

Perhaps I can't directly say much about TechFest, but at least I can point you at articles that discuss some of the interesting technologies that are cleared for external disclosure.

From Time Magazine online:

I liked this article best of those I've read. It discusses

• 'Step-mail' - the dance-pad interface to outlook
• LINC - an electronic family calendar for the kitchen
• Larry Zitnick's object recognition technology, searching by snapping a picture rather than by typing in search terms
• General interaction of research and product teams, and the goals of MS research

From the Seattle Post Intelligencer online,

Microsoft Research projects range from serious to a Starbucks finder

By TODD BISHOP
P-I REPORTER

Also a fairly decent take. Major items:

• The 'coffee compass' which uses GPS to find where you are, and points the direction to the closest Starbucks. Certainly appropriate for the home of Starbucks, Seatle
• Larry Zitnick's object recognition from pictures, and link to online experiences.
• Andy Wilson's 'virtual mirror'

Taken from heraldnet.com,

Microsoft's TechFest turns to teaching

By Allison Linn
Associated Press

This article focusses mostly on a proof-of-concept to try and make computers relevent and useful for people in rural India, by allowing them to search for jobs based on a non-textual interface.

It's exciting stuff, and hits a few of the more interesting projects that were shown at TechFest.