1.True one-piece computer – There may be some so called one-piece, all in one computers, but Surface is the first real one. Surface is the only computer with no cords for keyboard, speakers, mice, etc.

2.Just another upgrade – We’ve gone from grandfather clocks to atomic clocks, radios to over featured ipods, landlines to glossy cellphones, crt to flatscreen lcd, wood chairs to heated leather massage chairs, firepit to in home electric fireplace, and yet nothing new with tables that everyone has.

3.Powerful Apps – Microsoft Surfaces brings a new line of stunningly useful and powerful apps that were not possible before, such as the ever so popular photo and video viewer, virtual earth, AT&T Phone comparer, music player, and more.

4.Natural User Interface (NUI) – The natural user interface make repetitive tasks such as moving or resizing a picture, zooming in on a map, or scrolling through a list much easier.

5.Multi-touch – A different point then #4, Microsoft Surface allows for multi-touch interaction. By that, i don’t mean a mere 2 fingers like the iphone or itouch, i mean up to 52 fingers! I don’t think you could even fit 52 people around a table.

6.Major computing advancement – According to Microsoft, Microsoft Surface is “as significant as the move from DOS to GUI”. That’s big.

7.Huge Business Potential – Microsoft Surface has huge potential for businesses to get the leading edge. Companies like AT&T, BMW, and Harrah’s have shown the way, already having Microsoft Surface to please customers in their stores and casinos.

8.It’s Big – At first this might seem like a negative, but if you think about it, it’s a plus. First, begin big it has a nice, graphically delightful resolution. Secondly it allows for cool programs like air hockey and board games, and to view more content on maps, photos, and other multi-user concepts. Thirdly, you can place your camera, media player, cell phone, whatever, and still have room to work with. And finally, why does it really matter, since it will be replacing your old table anyways?

There you have it, my top 8 reasons why Microsoft Surface is the future of computing. Please leave comments!

When you start Bumptop, it turns your desktop into 3D – a floor and 3 walls (the wall nearest isn’t shown). On a fresh install it automatically adds a few things. On the left is a stickynote that you can easily edit by double clicking or make another by right clicking anywhere else. On the back wall there are three “picture frames” out of a harry potter movie, on the fact that they change to a different picture every 30 seconds. The right wall has convenient email, facebook, and twitter icons, in which you drag other icons or images on top of in order to attach an email, publish on facebook, or tweet on twitter. And finally, on the “floor” of your desktop are the normal icons. Any icons you had on your old desktop will show here, where they can be organized and moved.

The concept is great, but in productivity terms it’s not worth the trouble. It seems to me that it’d be a better option to organize with folders with a clean desktop, than to purposely make your desktop bloated with icons for the purpose of making piles and grids. After all, how much time do you actually spend looking at your desktop? In most cases it’s the few seconds after boot up and before shut down.

As mentioned before, Microsoft Surface would be a different situation. In fact, with multitouch capabilities, BumpTop would be a GREAT option. It would make features like lasso (in image above) a lot more convenient and efficient. Even simple tasks like moving and sizing icons would be much more easier and worth the time. After all, BumpTop’s motto is “Like a real desk, but better”, and Microsoft Surface’s goal is to allow for accessing data with your hands and “moving information between objects with natural gestures and touch.” Sounds like a good mix to me.

(Video at bottom)

Big ass table: Does it matter if it is replacing your old table?

Someone else’s kids: Risky assumption.

Instead of playing: The parent was there shooting the video, were they not?

Costs 10,000 dollars: Yes that is a lot, but the price will go down. Remember that (according to this webpage) the first computers cost nearly 20,000 dollars!

Instead of using compact devices: I agree that there are certainly some more compact devices that you could use for getting directions somewhere, particularly the ones that are built in to cars. However, maybe a hotel lobby could have one so that you know where you’re going before you leave.

Size of small car: Noooot really… I couldn’t fit in that car at least. In fact, an engine couldn’t even fit in that space.

Ordering food without human interaction: This mockery makes sense to me, and I agree that human interaction IS better than ordering off a computer. Maybe for a busy fast food restaurant this would be a good option.

Credit left: I would sure hope you don’t spend all your money on a Microsoft Surface computer!

Buy two phones: Funny, but the user is definately comparing the two phones.

Buying music: Itunes is a rip off! Hopefully there will be a way to transfer itunes music to Microsoft Surface (although DRM would prove this difficult).

Big ass table: This makes me laugh every time!

Well, I had a smile the entire time I wrote this, and I hope you had one while reading it… Just to top things off:

“Take that apple.”

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.

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.

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.

With the Windows 7 release getting closer now, Microsoft could very well be looking to put Windows 7 in Microsoft Surface by replacing Vista. Windows 7 already has support for multi-touch capabilities, and even the SDK (available on the development page) already supports it for developers. It is also reported to be much faster than Vista, even though it is similar in many ways, making it an easy change.

Another note to mention is that this upgrade could help Surface’s reputation. Windows 7 already has good support from consumers that tried the beta, which would (hopefully) carry over to Surface as well.

Here is Windows 7 Multi-touch:

There wouldn’t take that much to make one. Just take the original, make it a little wider, taller, and put it in a kitchen with a spill proof cover. Here are reasons why there should be a Microsoft Surface Counter top.

1. Restaurants could use it at bars: Now THAT would be sweet. I mean, ya, there is already that restaurant app that recognizes the glass and gives information about the drink, but is it really going to be used that much if it is just a table? Bring that to the bar and hell ya it will be used! It would be hard not to. Plus, when you’re drunk, those bubbles shooting off will be lots of fun..

2. Stay busy while eating: I don’t know about you, but whenever I’m eating I always feel like I should be multi-tasking. Like reading the paper or watching television. Well if you have a humongous touch screen computer underneath your bowl (which, by the way, would probably interact using object recognition somehow) you have something to do. Read the paper online, and avoid the trouble of it being so huge and in the way. Or check your email.

3. More apps could be made: A whole new array of apps could be made for this new environment, but I’ll leave that for another post.

4. Help declutter/keep clean: I don’t know about you, but I hate messy counters. Especially when I’m trying to cook. But I’m sure that if I had a Microsoft Surface counter top in my kitchen than it wouldn’t be so messy!

I’m excited to write to write that article for #3, I’m sure there will be lots of apps on that list.

1. Shopping List: Simple enough. Have an easy to use and simple list of everything you need to pick up at your next stop at the grocery store. It could even get smart and add items to the list automatically as you use them in the cookbook app (continue reading for that app).

2. Radio/Music to listen to: Most kitchens these day have a radio of some sort. Some have the “kitchen” radios that hang from underneath a cabinet, and some just have a normal radio. Whichever it is, it probably can’t download new songs, play music from your computer, or create playlists.

3. Newspaper: This would be a necessary app for many reasons. First off, it’s green. Every newspaper company that picked this up would have to print less paper, use less ink, deliver less newspapers, and more. And they would be saving money at the same time. Second, it makes it much easier for the reader. If the text is too small go ahead and make it bigger. Or, if your plate of eggs and ham is on top of the paper and you want to turn the page… no problem. Lastly, advertising in newspapers becomes even better. The classifieds have links for more information on that car you want to buy. Or drag that phone number into your phone to save for use later. Or send an email to the advertiser about drivers education.

4. Food channel – Streaming TV: Have you ever noticed that the food channel is most interesting when you are hungry? So why not have an app in your kitchen counter that lets you watch the food channel while you are cooking up a delicious meal.

5. Cookbook: Simply necessary. A cookbook that teaches you how to easily make any meal. Maybe it could help you sort out all of your ingredients too. And when you are done cooking the meal, it could even add all the ingredients you used to the shopping list (#1).

Restaurant Review: We all have those days where we just don’t want to cook and set the table and clean up and wash the dishes and put the dishes away (that’s a lot of work!). Or you’re just not up to par on the stove that day. So why not an app that finds a restaurant for you? And has reviews from other customers? Sounds good to me.

Who knows, I could think up more. Or even better yet, you do! Got any ideas yourself?

Lag/Touchability: Basically this is how well the touch table’s interface reacts with touch. The questions asked here would be, Does the screen do what I want? Is it easy to navigate the programs through touch? Does it recognize my touch every time? Since I don’t have either of the products to compare this hands on, I watched two videos. For Microsoft Surface: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxk_WywMTzc and for Touchtable: http://www.touchtable.com/technology-videos.php?videoId=2 . I noticed that very rarely in the Surface demo did the person on video have to retouch because it wouldn’t read the first time, and flicks seemed realistic. Compared to Touchtable, it seemed fast, because the simple swipe on Touchtable didn’t seem to move the data on screen enough. On the contrary, a pinch on the Touchtable did too much.

I would say that Microsoft Surface won hands down on this one. Surface: 1. Touchtable: 0.

Screen Size/Resolution: The specs for Surface can be seen here and for Touchtable, here. It’s no doubt that Touchtable won this one. It has a screen resolution of 1920×1080, much higher than Surface’s 1280×720. It also has a bigger screen size at 46″.

Touchtable ties it up at 1 each!

Size: This was a close one but Touchtable came out on top by a little bit. Microsoft Surface is a little bit smaller in width and length, but since it uses cameras, it has to be taller. The thing is, this doesn’t really matter, because unless you are laying down, and have your thousand dollar touch screen just sitting on the ground, having lower height doesn’t really matter. In fact, we found only one way that low height is a good thing, and that is if you would want to put a touch screen up on a wall, like you do with a flat screen tv. Other than that, it doesn’t really matter, but it was enough to get a win for Touchtable.

Surface: 1. Touchtable: 2.

Usability: Factors in this rating include How many applications are available for it, How many applications are expected to be made, and in general how useful the product is. I can only guess at this, but I think that Surface wins this category. First of all, as of now Surface has many more applications than Touchtable. Touchtable, according to its website, seems to be more of a government tool for controlling crowds and security rather than an all round tool. And second, Surface has a huge team of developers behind it. Right now, just Microsoft (which is huge by itself), but soon, when the SDK is released, many more developers will be a part.

Tied at 2.

Price: The determining category! I know that Microsoft Surface is pretty expensive, so Touchtable could possibly take this category for the win…

But after some googling (I couldn’t find the price on the website), I found how much a Touchtable costs, and the winner (and cheaper) touch screen IS!!…

Microsoft Surface!

A Touchtable is a jaw dropping $59,000 according to PBS.org! How’s that for expensive. It makes Surface look cheap…

I will hopefully be doing a similar article on Ideum MT2 in the future as well, if everyone likes this one. Make sure to leave comments.

Edit: Please note that the TouchTable isn’t the same as Surface on all levels. The TouchTable simply allows you to use your finger as the mouse (no gestures).