At the All things Digitial conference today, Steve Ballmer introduced what appears to be Microsoft’s idea for the future of computers. Milan, priced initially between 5-10k, will be bought and manufactured by Microsoft, much like the XBox 360. The specifications were not released. The concept is intriguing, interaction with your computer by touch. We have seen this demonstration, mainly by, Jeff Han and Apple at the iPhone introduction.
Apple has claimed (Steve: “200 patents”, “And boy have we patented it!”) they are well protected when it comes to iPhone patents, and a pretty exhaustive search seems to go along with that idea. Will it be a showdown, or has Microsoft simply found a new way to reach the touchscreen world. Only time will tell.
More later, I am still trying to dive through all of this.
Update x 1:
Some of these patents are very specific, and are clearly demonstrated in the MS advertisements. Though, the Surface device uses 5 cameras to achieve the action noted.
“Multipoint touchscreen“
“Gestures for touch sensitive devices”
Update x 2:
Update x 3:
Ars says “tabletop device with an integrated 30-inch screen and five cameras to enable multitouch access”. I don’t know about you guys, but the idea of using camera’s seems a bit old school. I think Apple’s touch screen concept is more, at face value, technologically advanced. I could be totally wrong though.
October 12th, 2008 at 11:24 am
I bookmarked your blog, thanks for sharing this very interesting post
February 28th, 2009 at 4:20 am
Does someone know when Afro Samurai for Xbox360 will be released?