Surface HQ

RISK. The game so many love to play, but nobody wants to set up. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was no more setting up those little pieces? Well, it’s possible. With a click.. I mean touch of a finger, you can have an entire RISK game set up right on your living room table.

As I mentioned earlier, probably the biggest thumbs up for this app would be the ease of setting up and putting away the game. It really doesn’t get any easier. To set up, you would first start the app. Then you would choose how many people are playing, how much cards are worth, maybe choose what map to play on, and you are ready to go. And when you are done playing, it’s easy as saving and closing.

Another good thing is that the natural user interface (NUI) would work well on this app. It would be a copy of Google Earth (which we all know works well on Microsoft Surface), with a battle thrown onto it. Everything from moving the map to moving soldiers could be done naturally and easily.

There are, however, a few things a developer would have to watch out for if they decided to develop this app. For example, how to roll dice. Would there simply be a button that generates random dice values? That sounds boring to me. Maybe you slide your fingers over a cup to push it over, which rolls out the dice. Or there could be a small area that you have to pretend to shake dice in. Or, even better yet, you roll real (concrete) dice that come with the game, that have small object recognition codes on them. The list could go on.

Nonetheless, this app would be killer on Microsoft Surface. There are so many ways it makes playing RISK easier and faster, without losing value from the original board game (because of its NUI). If I left something out, feel free to tell me.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Apple’s app store has sold (paid and unpaid) over 1 billion apps coming from around 30,000 unique apps as of April 23rd. There are thousands of developers, and some are making a living off of the store. Some apps have made over 500,000 in one week, and they continue to make profit even when they are tanning in a 5 star resort in Cancun. At the same time, users love the app store too. Most already have an account because they buy songs off of the iTunes store. It’s easy to access, because it’s built into both iTunes and the iPod touch as an app. Best of all, there are a TONS of free apps that aren’t crap, such as facebook, Google earth, twitter, google mobile, and shazam. It’s a win-win situation.

What if that was on Microsoft Surface? If it works for apple, shouldn’t it work for Microsoft? Here are 5 HUGE reasons why Microsoft Surface should have an app store.

1.Would help bring Surface to Private Consumers – There aren’t many people (if any besides Bill Gates) that are even considering buying a Surface table right now. Most of the owners are just big businesses such as Harrah’s, AT&T, and BMW, and the table is only for business purposes. By installing an app store, Microsoft Surface will become more of an option for the average person because it will provide more ways to have practical uses through a large array of apps.

2.Makes it easier to download apps – By having an app store, it would make it TONS of a lot easier to download apps. Can you imagine, for example, an iPhone without an app store? Would it even be possible to download apps?

3.Helps create a community – An app store would also provide a prime location for an online community based around Microsoft Surface customers to be. Users could easily communicate through posting and discussing, and could do so in many ways.

4.Users can make the most out of Microsoft Surface – By having an app store, it really maxes out its potential by making sure every possible app is made (simple free market theory).Not only that, but an app store would ensure that every app has a competition in order to meet the best price point.

5.Easy to find reviews/ratings – An app store makes it very simple to have ratings and reviews.

6.Drives developers to make apps – One of the biggest initiatives for anyone is money. Just like iPhone developers, Windows developers will now have a (more) promising way to make money and will therefore be more willing to develop applications for Windows/Surface.

The logic is there, now it’s up to Microsoft to see that logic.

Popularity: 6% [?]

There is a popular flash game on the internet these days called defend your castle. In the game you have to defend your castle (really?) by flinging any of the enemy soldiers that run at you/your castle so that they in the end fall to their death. As you go farther along you can capture enemy soldiers, and eventually create archers, mages, and craftsmen to help you. Now, if you didn’t already know, this game can be VERY tiring, even to somebody “in shape”. You will get wrist cramps after only 5 levels, and it gets worst as you go. If you don’t believe me, just try it yourself.

Anyways, what I’m trying to get to is to tell you that this game MUST be made for Microsoft Surface. Think about it: flinging. Is it easy with a mouse? NO. Is it easy/ more fun with your finger? YES. In fact, it would be so much easier, that the game would be boring. That’s why, of course, more features would have to be added to keep the fun in it. More soldiers, maybe some could fly, different kinds of soldiers.

All that matters is that this game is going to be killer for Microsoft Surface.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Microsoft Surface really does cut the distance between technology and real world, and the Natural User Interface proves that. There’s no more mouse, and everything is hands on. Objects are even recognized uniquely.

Well, wait! If Surface can read a byte tag.. does that mean that the cameras can image the screen? As in, if there was a paper with words on top of the screen, It could take a picture, and have that picture pulled up later to be read digitallly?

Well, I think you know where I’m going with this… if I’m not mistaken, the new Microsoft Surface Killer App could be a scanner. It’s simple, yet powerful.

Popularity: 4% [?]

My next app idea is in the public sector – in homes – and has to do with television. I figured that if I were to get a Surface table, the best spot for it would be in the living room, and I’m guessing that’s where most people would put it. Since most households have their main television in the living room, this opened up lots of ideas for communication between Surface and the T.V.

First off, a simple remote control probably isn’t a bad idea. It would never get lost, and you could make it bigger for bigger buttons.

Second, you could play any movies you have on your Surface computer right on your television. A good way to share a video with a big crowd.

And lastly, in partner with idea #2, you could rent movies right from the Surface computer and then play them on your T.V. It’s a blockbuster right in your living room!

There are many more possibilities, but what would be the fun if I did all the work for you? If you think of some more ideas tell me about them.

Popularity: 72% [?]