In my previous note I said I do not understand the application for the Microsoft Surface.  I want to explain a little more about it.  They say the hardware is a 30" (at least screen).  It could be mounted in any orientation.  They use projected DLP.  Also under the display are five infrared cameras as sensors.  The cameras are necessary to pick up the multi-point input.  The Microsoft sales person said it does not have to be one person inputing gestures, could be several.  Applications we discussed were as a kiosk in a retail store where a customer could customize a snowboard virtually.  We discussed how this could be used for video games or recreation.  It could go into a board room as the board room table.  I chimed in that it could be applicable for a draftsman, and the salesperson agreed.

Next I asked if this would appear on a tablet.  The Microsoft guy could not see how since the hardware did not seem compatible.  He did not rule out that some new touch screen interface could be invented, or admit if it already had been invented.  When I mentioned the IPhone he immediately stopped me.  Said it was apples and oranges.  The IPhone touchscreen is a capacitive technology and has some limitations as to the number of inputs.

I stand by my last opinion.  The surface computing seems to be gimmicky.  If Microsoft pushes it, it will have some success.  I don't see any market pull.  I also think they need to further develop along these lines.  With some different hardware the software might make a package more appealing.  Who knows what could come along in the future?