New Dimensions on old Devices
The launch of Microsoft Surface technology is a fundamental shift in the nature of technology devices. Gone are the chunky, mechanical input mechanisms which have enabled human-ICT interaction across 1-foot (tiny screens and tiny keypads), 3-foot (mice and keyboards) and 10-foot (a plethora of “remote” controls”).
In its place is a tactile, direct interaction between humans and machine where touch, gestures and context – all the elements of body language – are used to interpret intention and meaning. Instead of humans learning how to use computers, computers learn to respond to humans. This will be a transformational shift in applications and “usability” design. What does “usability” even mean anymore?
However, the biggest, most significant shift will be the addition of a new dimension to device interaction – how many people are using the device. At an obvious level, each level supports up to 6 simultaneous users to share, collaborate and play (note : this is great for families). Today the “lean-forward” devices (handsets and PC) are essentially single user and the “lean-back” device only enables multi-users to consume content passively. The introduction of surface technology enables the active, “lean-forward” models of application use and content creation to involve families, teams, friends and even strangers at a bar to share in the experience.Finally, the potential of this device is amplified when we consider multiple-networked devices crossing geographic, corporate and social boundaries. Imagine when a team in Australia, a team in India and a team in China can collaborate on a design, using their own body language and familiar gestures, text presented in their own language and everyone empowered to collaborate in a way previously unimagined. Somewhat appropriately it is a flat “Surface” driving an even flatter world.
