surface

Microsoft pairs surface computing with wine

Like every year, the Consumer Electronics Show is jam-packed with gadgets, from shiny new cell phones to giant TVs.

But this year, reporters scouring the CES show floor found a few goodies for the foodies too.

CNET News.com's Ina Fried sat down Wednesday with Mark Bolger of Microsoft's surface computing team to see what types of applications the tabletop technology could be used for. One of the ideas they've come up with is a system called Wine Bar that would allow restaurant-goers to select from a restaurant's wine list based on their taste preferences. So … Read more

Metal Storm reaches Navy test range

After years of development, a new class of weapon that uses computer-controlled electronic ignition instead of primers to fire projectiles may be finally taking its much coveted place in the U.S. military inventory.

Brisbane, Australia-based Metal Storm has delivered a four-barrel weapon to the Naval Surface Warfare Center for testing that uses a small electrical current instead a conventional firing pin to deliver stacked rounds at an astounding rate.

How astounding? Try 1 million rounds per minute. That's the rate, by the way, not the volume; still, there's no way you want to be anywhere near the … Read more

A game table that can preserve matrimony

Marriage can be so difficult. Just when you thought you've found eternal happiness, your spousal unit complains about every little thing. Take your latest purchase, for example: Who could object to a full-size arcade machine as the perfect living-room accessory?

Because Crave cares about you and your domicile happiness, we offer a solution from Surface Tension in its "Multi-Game Arcade Table." This cleverly constructed console (if it can be called that) lets you relive your misspent Space Invaders youth in an industrial design with a sleek metal finish suitable for the swankiest of lofts.

There is just … Read more

Microsoft's Surface PC still beyond developers' reach

DENVER--On Thursday, Microsoft plans to show its partners the Surface computer that it introduced in May. But it will be a little while longer before most partners get a chance to do more than look at the tabletop computer.

Allison Watson, the head of Microsoft's partner efforts, plans to show off the touch-based device as part of a talk she is giving on Microsoft's innovation pipeline. Watson also plans to announce the company is forming a partner advisory council to help the company decide how it should open up the product to outside developers.

"Starting in April, … Read more

Porcelain Memory

Is memory no longer precious? With USB keys being given away as the cheap schwag of the day... cellphones and mp3 players supporting gigs and gigs of data... tiny cards full of data that you toss around your desk as you switch between digicams... What do you use to keep your important data? How do you give them the special storage space they deserve? How about these Porcelain Memory sticks on sale at Charles and Marie? As described on Charles and Marie "Mokkatanten sort of translates to 'elderly aunts drinking coffee and bickering' - not quite what the two … Read more

Surface: Design starts on the outside...

Welcome to Surface, CNET blogging on design... and no, we're not superficial, but let's be realistic here... first impressions count for a lot, especially when it comes to the products and accessories you surround yourself with... be it in your office spaces, kitchen, living room, and especially the things you wear. So i'm sure this blog will be evolving (and quickly!) but i'll be covering all things great and gorgeous for your everyday, especially those details that complement your tech and gadget filled lifestyles. So here's a quick overdose of what you will definitely be seeing more of soon. (Links to find out more on each product after the jump.)… Read more

Microsoft's top-secret touch screen

Even though so many people were left un-wowed by Vista, Microsoft's latest announcement is sure to elicit some excitement.

Five years in the (very secretive) making, the Surface Computer is a tabletop system that allows users to interact with digital media in some truly remarkable ways.

CNET News.com's Ina Fried has video of the system in action, viewable below.

Surface Computer users can fingerpaint digitally, resize and interact with photos and videos, and even "digitize" some real-life events, such as splitting up a restaurant bill and researching wines. The Surface Computer can recognize some real-world … Read more

Turn your ceiling into a speaker

Crave prides itself on embracing (almost) all techno-cultures, but this is one trend that's left us baffled: turning tabletops and other flat surfaces into speakers.

The latest entry into this apparently growing market is the "Soundbug," which Gadgetizer says resulted from a "British moment of inspiration." The $70 device, which is supposedly compatible with anything from media players and laptops to game consoles, has a suction cup designed to ensure proper conductivity for "wicked sound output"--as well as allowing it to work with walls, ceilings or anything else it'll stick to. … Read more

A table as a speaker? No thanks

The whole idea of turning a tabletop into a speaker has always sounded weird to us, but apparently there's a market for it.

A few months back we saw the "Nimzy Vibro Max" (sounds like an adult toy from Jabberwocky), and now we get word of the "I-mu Magic Audio Frequency Singer." Both claim to play music or other sounds through any hard surface.

China-based Vavolo describes the I-mu as "a new revolution in the audiovisual field," according to Chip Chick. We don't know about that, but we do see that its $… Read more

The 'most advanced' robo-boat

Here it is: "The newest and most advanced" robo-boat in the world. It sure looks the part.

Unveiled this month at IDEX 2007 in Abu Dhabi, the Marine Robotics Vessels International (MRVI) Interceptor is a fourth-generation unmanned surface vessel. Project partner SeaRobotics provided the command, control, navigation and data-acquisition system, which allows both remote control by radio and autonomous operation. In autonomous mode, an onboard computer will steer the rig on a pre-determined course to complete its programmed mission. Onboard sensors allow the craft to change course to avoid collisions.

Applications range from anti-piracy patrol to oil rig … Read more