Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 461,934 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,241 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 320,992 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,241 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 320,992 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,213 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 461,934 cutting edge ideas.

Coffee Table PC

Surface Interface Computer

— September 5, 2007 — Tech
Run all of your home media from a 40 inch touchscreen PC embedded in a coffee table. This would have to qualify as the ultimate remote control! It also has the great advantage of being too big to get lost behind the sofa cushions!

"Remember back in March when Microsoft demonstrated its Surface computing interface, essentially bringing multimedia and sharing functions to a coffeetable-like interface?" asks DigitalTrends. "Savant Systems LLC of Osterville, Massachusetts, is looking to do something similar with a new coffee table interface which enables users to tap into their home audio, video, digital media, jukebox, security, and automation setups—plus a variety of other gadgets—all from their new Rosie coffee table."
Trend Themes
1. Surface Interface Tables - Companies such as Microsoft and Savant Systems are tapping into the trend of surface interface tables for immersive multimedia and sharing functions.
2. Home Media Integration - The integration of home automation, security, entertainment, and jukebox setups into one surface interface table is a disruptive innovation opportunity.
3. Large-screen Remote Controls - The demand for large and engaging remote-control interfaces continues to grow as more homes and offices integrate smart devices and security systems.
Industry Implications
1. Smart Home Industry - The smart home industry has an opportunity to create more engaging interfaces for home automation, entertainment, and security systems.
2. Furniture Industry - The furniture industry could pursue new designs and partnerships to incorporate surface interface tables into home and office products.
3. Digital Media Industry - The digital media industry has a chance to collaborate with surface interface table providers and integrate more of their content into these immersive setups.
4.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness