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Microsoft Surface Technology

Microsoft Surface Computer – Multi Touch Technology

Microsoft Surface Computer is the


first in a new category of surface
computing products from Microsoft
that will break down traditional barriers
between people and technology. It is
the next generation of computer
interfaces those offer multi-touch
technology. Unlike most touch screens,
Surface computer can respond to more
than one touch at a time.
Surface Computer
A surface computer is able to recognize physical
objects from a paintbrush to a cell phone and
allows hands-on, direct control of content such as
photos, music and maps. Surface turns an ordinary
tabletop into a dynamic surface that provides
interaction with all forms of digital content through
natural gestures, touch and physical objects.
Microsoft surface computer
What is Microsoft Surface?
Microsoft Surface is a revolutionary multi-touch
computer that responds to natural hand gestures and
real-world objects, helping people interact with
digital content in a simple and intuitive way. With a
large, horizontal user interface, Surface offers a
unique gathering place where multiple users can
collaboratively and simultaneously interact with
data and each other.
How does Microsoft Surface work?
Microsoft Surface uses cameras and image
recognition in the infrared spectrum to recognize
different types of objects such as fingers, tagged
items and shapes. This input is then processed by
the computer and the resulting interaction is
displayed using rear projection. The user can
manipulate content and interact with the computer
using natural touch and hand gestures, instead of a
typical mouse and keyboard.
What are the key capabilities of Microsoft Surface?

Microsoft Surface has four key capabilities that make it


such a unique experience:

Direct interaction: Users can grab digital information with


their hands and interact with content on-screen by touch and
gesture – without using a mouse or keyboard.
Multi-user experience: The large, horizontal, 30 inch
display makes it easy for several people to gather and
interact together with Microsoft Surface - providing a
collaborative, face-to-face computing experience.
Multi-touch: Microsoft Surface responds to many points
of contact simultaneously - not just from one finger, as with
a typical touch screen, but from dozens of contact points at
once.
Object recognition: Users can place physical objects on
the screen to trigger different types of digital responses –
providing for a multitude of applications and the transfer of
digital content to mobile devices
Surface Computing Technology
1. Screen: A diffuser turns
the Surface's acrylic tabletop
into a large horizontal
"multitouch" screen, capable
of processing multiple inputs
from multiple users. The
Surface can also recognize
objects by their shapes or by
reading coded "domino" tags.
2. Infrared: Surface's
"machine vision" operates in
the near-infrared spectrum,
using an 850-nanometer-
wavelength LED light source
aimed at the screen. When
objects touch the tabletop, the
light reflects back and is
picked up by multiple infrared
cameras with a net resolution
of 1280 x 960.
3. CPU: Surface uses many of
the same components found in
everyday desktop computers. A
Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of
RAM and a 256MB graphics card.
Wireless communication with
devices on the surface is handled
using WiFi and Bluetooth antennas
(future versions may incorporate
RFID or Near Field
Communications). The underlying
operating system is a modified
version of Microsoft Vista.
4. Projector: Microsoft's
Surface uses the same DLP
light engine found in many
rear-projection HDTVs. The
footprint of the visible light
screen, at 1024 x 768 pixels,
is actually smaller than the
invisible overlapping
infrared projection to allow
for better recognition at the
edges of the screen.
USES
The new product is aimed directly at hotels, retail establishments,
restaurants and public entertainment venues and should be
commercially available towards the end of the year.
Example
Microsoft gives examples of ordering a
beverage during a meal with just the tap of
a finger and quickly browsing through
music and dragging favorite songs onto a
personal playlist by moving a finger across
the screen. Build this into a bar and you'd
get one-touch beer service although I'm
not sure if they've found a way to work out
when your beer glass is empty so
replenishment becomes automatic, maybe
in a later version. The practical uses for
Surface at the point of sale are broad. This
is touch screen point of sale technology at
a new level.
For Users:
Microsoft Surface represents a
fundamental change in the way we
interact with digital content. Leave the
mouse and keyboard behind. Surface
lets you grab digital content with your
hands and move information with
simple gestures and touches. Surface
also sees and interacts with objects
placed on the screen, allowing you to
move information between devices
like mobile phones or cameras. The
result is a fun, social and exciting
computing experience like you’ve
never had before.
For Businesses:
Microsoft Surface provides tremendous
potential for businesses to improve
communication, and be more efficient in
how they deliver information and services
to their customers. The intuitive and
approachable interface is easy to learn
and the familiar software platform makes
it easy to manage, too. The multi-touch
and multi-user capabilities create an
incredibly collaborative experience,
where sharing and exploring information
is easier than ever.
Creating new business opportunities every day

Customers have more control and flexibility of


their experience, which creates more
opportunities and efficiencies for companies

Enhance the customer experience


Cross-sell and up-sell products
Attract new customers
Grow new revenue streams
Differentiate product offerings
Improve brand perception
Increase customer satisfaction and loyalty
Reduce cost of service
Industry opportunities
Financial Services
Microsoft Surface can help replace complicated product descriptions
with a dynamic and easy-to-use interface that is empowering and
engaging. For example, an employee and customer may use Surface as
their collaborative meeting space, reviewing portfolio options and
creating a more personal and informed customer experience that drives
higher customer loyalty, while improving brand image.

Health Care
Microsoft Surface can help improve the clinic and patient relationship.
For example, patients can receive a better clinic experience by allowing
self check-ins or researching and reviewing treatment options in
collaboration with clinical staff. For clinicians, Microsoft Surface could
be used as a smart white board for the emergency room or medical
center, helping teams collaborate on treatment options.
Hospitality
Microsoft Surface offers entirely new ways to inform and entertain customers,
helping boost revenue without incurring higher staffing costs. For example,
loyalty cards can be placed on Microsoft Surface to trigger purchases of a
customer’s favorite drink or meal. Or companies could extend their digital
marketing campaigns to include an onsite presence, with interactive content,
games, and virtual tours.
Retail
Microsoft Surface can connect customers with more and richer product
information and create collaborative sales engagements right inside
retail outlets, connecting the physical store, sales staff and digital
content. For example, Surface recognizes mobile devices, allowing
customers to download product information, compare products, cross-
sell related items, and select add-on features.
Public Sector
Microsoft Surface creates a seamless way of connecting
people with important and complex data. For example,
security or emergency agencies can create a collaborative
digital command center for planning and orchestrating large
scale events, with agency personnel working together with
real time mapping and location data. Or educators can
deploy Microsoft Surface in classroom settings to create an
entirely new way to integrate rich and interactive digital
content into the learning environment.
Technical resources
Microsoft Surface is a new product and a new
platform, and there are multiple resources that
describe the various aspects of Surface.

• For Developers
• For Designers
• For IT Professionals
For Developers
If you want to start developing Surface applications, the following
resources can help you set up your development environment and
develop your first, basic Surface application.

Surface SDK

This package includes the Microsoft Surface SDK 1.0 SP1 Workstation Edition
installation file and documentation. The Surface SDK includes the APIs,
documentation, and tools to help you develop Surface touch-enabled
applications on your workstation. Before you download the Surface SDK, make
sure you read the Setting Up a Development Environment article to learn about
the hardware and software requirements for developing Surface applications
on a workstation.
For Designers
To help you understand the unique aspects of
designing Surface experiences, read the Microsoft
Surface User Experience Guidelines. These
guidelines are intended for designers, program
managers, and developers of Surface applications
to inform you about requirements and
recommendations for designing great Surface
applications.
For IT Professionals
If you are managing one or more Surface units in a venue,
you will need to understand the core administration tasks
that you can perform with a Surface unit, including
planning, configuring and deploying, monitoring, and
troubleshooting.
Now available for sale!*
Microsoft Surface units are only available for
commercial purchase in authorized countries.
There are two types of Microsoft Surface units available for
sale:

• Commercial Units
• Developer Units
Commercial Units
Commercial units are designed
for venues where users can
interact directly with them in
either public or private
settings. Each commercial
hardware unit includes one
Surface Software license,
consisting of Surface Platform
runtime 1.0 SP1 software and
Windows Vista Business SP1.
(Commercial units do not include
the Surface SDK)
Developer Units
Developer units are designed
for the development and
testing of Microsoft Surface
applications. Each developer
hardware unit includes one
Surface Software license,
consisting of Surface
Platform runtime 1.0 SP1
software, Windows Vista
Business SP1, and the
Surface SDK 1.0 SP1.
How to buy Microsoft Surface units
Microsoft Surface units are available for purchase
today in the following countries:

Austria, Germany, Spain, Belgium ,Ireland Sweden


,
Canada - English ,Italy, Switzerland Canada –
French, Netherlands, United Arab Emirates,
Denmark, Norway, United Kingdom, France,
Qatar, United States .
Availability and questions
If you would like to inquire about eligibility to
purchase Microsoft Surface units in your country,
or if you have any questions, please contact the
Microsoft Surface Business Desk at
sbizdesk@microsoft.com.
Any queries

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