Write a 300 - 500 word article that tells the audience about a recent multimedia technology that is being or has been developed in the last six months and explain what you think the impact of this technology will have upon society.
Computer users of the future could use gestures and mind control, as well as touch to use and control a computer. I came across an article on the BBC ‘Click’ technology programme explaining this new technology.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/7676552.stm
Recently, touch-screens have played a massive role in interaction with humans and technology. Some examples include the Apple iPhone, TomTom, Nintendo DS, mobile phones, and projector screens used in schools and universities. However, Microsoft’s new Surface touch-responsive device takes this to a new level.
Microsoft’s new tabletop Surface which was launched on April 17, 2008 allows users to manipulate digital content by the use of natural motion, hand gestures, or actual objects. Surface is to be used in restaurants, hotels, retail, and public entertainment venues for customers to use. For example they can order a drink by a touch of the finger and the Surface device will know when you need a re-fill so that service will be available for the customer. This is done using infrared light passing from the Surface device through the glass and recognizing when the glass becomes empty. A demonstration is shown here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DG3_2lvoL8A&eurl=http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2008/10/computer-table-hybrid-knows-wh.html
Surface can also recognizes physical objects that are placed on it for example a mobile phone; which if placed on the surface table will instantly be recognized. Therefore, you can view all photos stored on your phone, move through them by dragging your finger across each image, enlarge them, re-size, flip them around and even swap photos with a friend. You can also browse through thousands of play lists and listen to endless music.
The Microsoft Surface is basically a Windows Vista PC placed inside this tabletop device. The device uses a projector with various cameras to project certain images or things placed on it and records reflections of infrared light from human fingertips. With this, users can interact with the device directly by touching and dragging objects such as a paintbrush across the screen to draw or paint a picture. Therefore, using real-life objects, which are then projected into the device and used or manipulated electronically; making it a simpler task to carry out. This is a video that shows what different methods the Surface uses to interact with humans: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/7678104.stm
I think the Surface is a device that individually uses all the necessary components a computer needs (e.g. mouse, keyboard) to run in a small and compact tabletop touch-screen device; however, used in a much simpler way with hand gestures. I think this technology has endless potential and use. In conclusion, I think the Surface can not only help people make their day-to-day lifestyles easier and help big organizations in moving forward in a positive way, but it can also help disabled people who cannot have the same opportunities to learn. It can help these people to interact more and learn in a more efficient and quicker way. In schools and universities, it can play a big part in students interacting and taking part. It can broaden minds and help people with their work, whether they are a student or a business and help people all over the world.
Websites Used:
http://www.microsoft.com/surface/index.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/7676552.stm
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