Joe, specifically what user benefits will Surface bring to the Sheraton that couldn't be achieved with a traditional touch-screen information kiosk?

Joe;

My Microsoft Rep came by earlier to see how my new HP Blackbird is doing with Vista x64 SP1 Ultimate and dropped off one of these computing tables. I thought it was very nice indeed. I mounted my 72" HD on my wall -- Using it as a fine electronic chalkboard. Mine came with a signed titanium colored DVD signed by Bill Gates, and Steve Ballmer, of course this DVD made my eyes water slightly as I framed it right above this wonderful computer. I even broke down and hugged my rep -- It is just really all too much for me to bare.

I plugged in the DVD Movie and watched it using the wonderful Vista Media Center. It is truly awesome as we sat there easting lunch together. What will Microsoft come up with next?

George - I imagine you could show a guest a bunch information, maps etc and then use Surface to upload it all to their cellphone. Just one use.

Mike, the surface is just like most touch screen kiosks - and windows box. Therefore to upload content to a cell phone it will need to

.) have bluetooth turned on
.) have microdots coded in a way that the surface cameras can detect or manually pair with it like with any other PC
.) support bt file transfer

or replace bluetooth in the above sentences with wifi. Either way, the "magic upload" visual trick is basically:
.) pair with phone and do standard wireless/bt file transfer
.) animate the content on screen towards the co-ordinates of the microdot-equipped device / phone.

It's very clever, but doesn't do anything to make the synching with other devices easier as such.

whatever,
given msft's less then steller security track record, why would anyone allow a surface to upload anything to their cell phone?

do they make AV programs for cellular devices?

Wow Joe I didn't know they made iPhones that big! Maybe one will fit in my RV.

Gerardo:

If it were an iPhone, it would actually do something useful.

Based on the pictures and story, there's not one significant use for this expensive piece of technology. Must be a cousin of Vista.

Mike said... "you could show a guest a bunch information, maps etc and then use Surface to upload it all to their cellphone."

Once again, all achievable with current kiosk technology. Please, please show me something that Surface really is different at with the exception of "finger painting".

I know, I know, the stock is in the toilet and it looks like my boys don't know their asses from their elbows. Please have some patience! We're in it to win it as they say, and this big (no pun intended) Surface Computing Platform roll out is just a tiny part of a much bigger plan. Of course I can't tell you what that plan is or how it will unfold over the next twenty five years - but it will be GREAT!

Give me twenty five more years of your loyalty and patience and you won't recognize Microsoft.