Microsoft Surface Has Arrived
By Raj Choudhury on Friday, May 2nd, 2008It somehow feels wrong to promote Microsoft in general, but lately I’ve been wowed by some of their innovative products and software. I expect this out of Apple or Google, but when I saw previews online of Microsoft Surface from CES 2008 earlier in the year, I was wowed. It also got me wondering if this might ever become commonplace in our lives.
If you’ve never seen Microsoft Surface check out the video below.
AT&T has already started to roll these units out at some of their wireless stores, so it’s well worth a visit to check it out; and while you’re there, give yourself another reason to play with the iPhone. 
When I began writing this post, my intent was to just share a cool new toy with everyone, but what really dawned on me was how fast things were changing, and how as an agency we’d be at the forefront designing these new types of experiences for consumers.
Ten years ago as a start-up agency, my universe was fairly limited to websites, emails, and the very sexy work of corporate extranets. Now we are diving into Second life, Facebook apps, mobile apps, and hopefully (with the blessing of a nice client) Microsoft Surface experiences. Digital experiences are becoming increasingly important. As an agency, the way we create strategies and design and develop them to their full potential needs to change and adapt all the time.
It’s fair to say that agencies sometimes dive into unknown territories - were no case studies exist, no proven numbers. It’s always a risk for both the client and the agency to dive into uncharted waters, but rewards are high when you nail it. The point I’m trying to make is that we, with our smart people and unbelievable clients, could in the near future have an opportunity to work on a project the involves Microsoft Surface or any other progressive digital experience. I guess this is why we all love working for an agency like Engauge, it’s the chance to work on something others might only read about.
If you want to get wowed by another Microsoft product check out Photosynth, it will blow you away.
As an (ardent) Apple loyalist I was dismayed at my enthusiasm for this MS product the first time I saw it. I have to give MS credit, they are definitely still vying for a place in this market.
I DO wonder, however, how many times the Surface will freeze up on you and display some weird error.
And I think that actually this kind of device will become commonplace within the next 10 years. I think that families will have touchscreens, restaurants, stores, etc. With everyone interacting between screens and devices.
Angie I was wondering the same thing. I guess if it does freeze it’s still a good looking coffee table:-) I think the big factor for this device to hit the mass market will be dependent on the cost of LCD screens of that size, the cost trend for these are going down faster than originally predicted. The first adopters will be B2C business like AT&T; the practicalities are endless.
I was in a little bagel shop in Nowhere Special, GA, last weekend and I noticed they were using 52″ Sony Bravia flatpanels to display their menu boards (in HD, no less!).Thankfully, the effect was well organized and reasonably designed.
But just imagine this newest technology at the hands of a loose cannon employee (remember when DTP was a four-letter word?). Someday they’re gonna be teaching Brand Strategy in elementary schools and passing out Style Manuals to kindergarteners.