Microsoft's Surface hasn't even rolled out yet, but the company is already lining up a spherical makeover for the touch-sensitive tabletop. According to ZDNet, Microsoft showed a spherical Surface prototype around Redmond campus. It would be interesting to see how Microsoft managed to stuff a rear projection unit and IR cameras into a sphere. And I am curious as to what the applications of such a model would be. Surface table makes sense to me (see video), a surface sphere not so much.
Check out Firefly, the first Surface game:
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Spherical Surface Prototype
- Opportunity to explore innovative uses for a spherical touch-sensitive tabletop.
- Rear Projection Unit Integration
- Opportunity to develop new applications by incorporating rear projection units into unconventional shapes.
- IR Camera Integration
- Opportunity to create unique interactions and user experiences with touch-sensitive surfaces using IR cameras.
Where This Applies
- Technology Hardware
- Opportunity for tech hardware manufacturers to develop spherical touch-sensitive tabletops for various industries.
- Gaming
- Opportunity for the gaming industry to create immersive experiences by incorporating spherical touch-sensitive surfaces into games.
- Architectural Design
- Opportunity for architects and designers to experiment with unconventional shapes and integrate touch-sensitive surfaces into building designs.
