Microsoft Surface Blog

See Microsoft Surface now in Mission Viejo

2009-10-29T23:37:16Z

Last week Microsoft launched the first of the new Microsoft Retail Stores in Phoenix with Microsoft Surface . This week we’ve launched a new store in Mission Viejo, and Microsoft Surface is there too. If you’re in SoCal, head on down to the Shops at Mission Viejo and check out Microsoft Surface. From last week.. Microsoft Surface is not being offered for sale to consumers at the store. Surface is in four distinct merchandise areas at the corners of the store – supporting Games, Mobility, Personalization...(read more)

Windows 7 is here and Surface has joined the party

2009-10-22T17:28:00Z

Today is a big day at Microsoft. Windows 7 is now available worldwide and our new Microsoft online store has launched. There’s coverage of what is happening over at The Windows Blog . It’s a party over here at Microsoft Surface too, because our contributions to the Touch Pack for Windows 7 have officially launched. What’s the Touch Pack? Check out my previous post on the topic or learn more on the Microsoft Surface site or on the Windows site . The Microsoft Surface team’s contribution includes Microsoft...(read more)

See Microsoft Surface now in Scottsdale, AZ

2009-10-22T17:04:00Z

I’ve received inquiries in the past from those in the Phoenix area who’ve wanted to see Microsoft Surface in a public space. While there have been units behind closed doors, now you’ll be able to come in and check out Surface at the Microsoft retail store in the Scottsdale Fashion Mall . Microsoft Surface is not being offered for sale to consumers at the store. Surface is in four distinct merchandise areas at the corners of the store – supporting Games, Mobility, Personalization and PCs. Microsoft...(read more)

Dungeons & Dragons done right on Microsoft Surface

2009-10-19T23:55:00Z

I don’t want to put any pressure on Michael and the team over at Carnegie Mellon University , but you guys should be getting an A for your class project this semester. Their Dungeons & Dragons experience called “ Surfacescapes ” on Microsoft Surface is amazing. This is the future of how computers will aid in board games. Remember, D&D playing aids like this are for serious role playing gamers who might normally use balsa cutouts and not just wimpy printed maps. The computer is has a technical...(read more)

CHI 2010: Here we come!

2009-10-16T04:49:01Z

Along with Ann Morrison and Giulio Jacucci of HIIT (Helsinki Institute of Information Technology), Dennis Wixon and yours truly will be organizing a second workshop devoted to multitouch, surface computing, and natural user interface at the annual CHI conference. Every year in April, the conference draws a few thousand students, researchers, and practitioners of human-computer interaction. Check out the website and call for position paper here ....(read more)

Microsoft Local Impact Map on Surface

2009-10-09T19:29:42Z

Yesterday, Darren David from Stimulant came by the office to show us the Microsoft Local Impact Map on Surface. It’s an application Stimulant created for the Microsoft Citizenship team. As an industry leader and the world's largest software company, Microsoft has a responsibility to act as a good corporate citizen all around the world. Whether it is complying with local laws and regulations, demonstrating ethical business standards, mitigating risks to the environment, or protecting human rights,...(read more)

Coldwell Banker Proof-of-Concept

2009-10-07T01:28:49Z

Joe Engalan from Vectorform came in to give me a tour of an application they developed in collaboration with FD Kinesis for Coldwell Banker on Microsoft Surface . This Coldwell Banker proof-of-concept is a great example how Surface can change the way you may buy or sell your home. It extends functionality available on Coldwell Banker’s website in a new way for the realtor/customer consultation. You can screen homes based on the usual parameters and look at property photos. The window into neighborhoods...(read more)

Reminder: Your chance to win a Microsoft Surface

2009-09-29T18:11:24Z

I’m posting to remind everyone that we have a contest going on right now, put on by Microsoft Surface . The challenge is directed at creating applications that use the unique properties of the platform to address needs within the automotive, retail, healthcare, financial services, hospitality or public sector industries. See our contest page for more details. “ Create the most innovative application experience and you could win your own Microsoft Surface unit.” See current submissions out on...(read more)

Updates from the Hard Rock

2009-09-29T02:54:42Z

Last week there was a press event at the new Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas. Microsoft’s Industry Director Sandra Andrews was there to represent Microsoft Surface . I’ve included links to photos and embedded video of the coverage by local media outlets. You’ll see in the video and photos the Rock Wall, the Booth Interactive and Microsoft Surface. lasvegasnow.com photos lasvegassun.com video For video of the Hard Rock memorabilia application in action on Microsoft Surface, check out my previous...(read more)

The dream in infrared made real

2009-09-18T20:14:09Z

Because it is a multi-user computer, it’s important for Microsoft Surface to convey rich information to the software designers and developers to create brilliant experiences . Surface uses an vision system to see the interactions of hands and other physical objects. You can build your own vision based computer using parts off the shelf, but what makes Surface a unique commercial product is the engineering that has gone into both the hardware and software to provide a very powerful tool for businesses...(read more)

Quick. Surface. Basics.

2009-09-18T06:08:14Z

If you want to understand what Surface is, but don’t have a lot of time, here’s your solution. Joe Olsen from Phenomblue does an awesome job summarizing Microsoft Surface in 30 seconds. That’s faster than it took me to cut and paste the video into this post....(read more)

nsquared on Microsoft Surface

2009-09-18T05:57:09Z

Dr. Neil of nsquared has collaborated with me in the past on videos about Microsoft Surface . He’s been travelling in Europe training Surface developers. He’s taken this experience and put it into a series of videos geared towards training and other Surface related topics. I’ve embedded the playlist below....(read more)

Education: Under the hood with Finguistics

2009-09-17T18:04:48Z

Education and Microsoft Surface gets people talking. Recently, I had a chance to meet with Jim Allen from RM when he was here in Redmond. We took a deeper (and very color saturated) look at the Finguistics application that you may have seen in video before . If you want to see more on education, take a look at the summary post I made a short while back with links to additional videos. If you work in education, don’t forget to check out the Microsoft Surface SDK Workstation Edition on the MSDN Academic...(read more)

Events in London featuring Microsoft Surface

2009-09-11T01:38:46Z

I’m sharing this list of events featuring Microsoft Surface that I received from the Microsoft Technology Center team in London per an inquiry on Twitter . 23rd September - Exploring Innovation – Royal College of Arts, London 30th September to 2nd October - Future of Web Apps 2009 – Kensington Town Hall, London 7th to 8th October - IP Expo – Earls Court, London If you’re in London or any other region and have an event coming up featuring Surface, reply to this post and let everyone know the where...(read more)

Hard Rock’s new Vegas cafe features Microsoft Surface

2009-09-11T00:02:18Z

Here we go with more Microsoft Surface in Vegas! Hard Rock just announced the grand opening of a new Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas – a 950 seat restaurant and live concert venue. Everything about this new cafe is cool – and the tech is no exception. Visitors can touch and view Hard Rock’s memorabilia with a huge 18’ wide multi-touch interactive Rock Wall (tm) and in-booth touch screens running Microsoft Windows employing Deep Zoom technology. Here on the Surface blog, I’m most excited to share that...(read more)