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GENERAL
What is Microsoft Surface™?
Microsoft Surface turns an ordinary tabletop into
a vibrant, interactive surface. It's the first
commercially-available surface computing platform from Microsoft.
The product provides effortless access to digital content through
natural gestures, touch and physical objects. Today, it's a 30-inch
diagonal display in a table-like form factor that's easy for
individuals or multiple people to interact with in a way that feels
familiar, just like in the real world. In essence, it's a surface
come to life for exploring, learning, sharing, creating, buying and
much more. Today Microsoft Surface is available in the retail,
hospitality, automotive, banking and healthcare industries.
Consumers can interact with Surface at select AT&T retail locations,
at the iBar located in the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas
and at select Sheratons in the U.S.
What is surface computing?
Led by Microsoft, surface computing is a major
advancement that moves beyond the traditional user interface to a
more natural way of interacting with information. It features four
key attributes:
- Direct Interaction: Users can actually "grab"
digital information with their hands - interacting with content
by touch and gesture, without the use of a mouse or keyboard.
- Multi–Touch: Surface computing recognizes
many points of contact simultaneously, not just from one finger
like with a typical touch–screen, but up to dozens of items at
once.
- Multi–User: The horizontal form factor makes
it easy for several people to gather around Microsoft Surface
together, providing a collaborative, face–to–face computing
experience.
- Object Recognition: Users can place physical
objects on the display to trigger different types of digital
responses; in the future, this will include the ability to
transfer digital content.
How does Microsoft Surface work?
Microsoft Surface uses cameras to sense objects,
hand gestures and touch. This user input is then processed and
displayed using rear projection. Specifically:
- Microsoft Surface uses a rear projection
system which displays an image onto the underside of a thin
diffuser.
- Objects such as fingers are visible through
the diffuser by series of infrared–sensitive cameras, positioned
underneath the display.
- An image processing system processes the
camera images to detect fingers, custom tags and other objects
such as paint brushes when touching the display.
- The objects recognized with this system are
reported to applications running in the computer so that they
can react to object shapes, 2D tags, movement and touch.
What form factors (shapes and sizes) will
Microsoft make Microsoft Surface available in?
Today, Microsoft Surface is a 30–inch diagonal
display in a table–like form factor built for commercial reliability
and durability. Over time, as we see surface computing becoming more
pervasive inside and outside the home, Microsoft envisions many form
factors (from a wall, to a mirror or even your refrigerator door).
When will Microsoft Surface be in public
locations for people to use and experience?
Today consumers can interact with Surface at
select AT&T retail locations, at the iBar located in the Rio All
Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, at select Sheratons in the U.S.,
the Disney Innovations House in Anaheim, California and at Hotel
1000 in Seattle. In the future, other Surface deployments will
continue in restaurants, retail, leisure and public entertainment
venues.
Who are the current customers?
Current Microsoft Surface customers include AT&T,
Harrah's Entertainment, and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide.
Microsoft Surface will also be made available through Microsoft's
affiliation with International Game Technology (IGT), a world leader
in the design, development and manufacture of microprocessor-based
gaming.
You've mentioned commercial markets like
leisure/entertainment and retail. What are the markets you are
planning on targeting next?
Today we are focused on five vertical industries
including retail, hospitality, automotive, banking, and healthcare,
but over time we will expand to other areas as well as building out
a consumer product for the home.
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INTERNATIONAL AVAILABILITY
Is Microsoft Surface available outside of the
U.S.?
Microsoft Surface is currently available in the
US, Canada and 12 select EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa)
markets. Working closely with partners to support local and relevant
content, Microsoft Surface is now available in Austria, Belgium,
France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Spain, Sweden
the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the UK.
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PURCHASING OR DISTRIBUTION
How can I buy Microsoft Surface?
Currently Microsoft Surface is not available for
individual consumer purchase. Microsoft Surface is being marketed
and sold to large-scale leisure, entertainment and retail companies
in the U.S. and people will be able to experience Microsoft Surface
in public locations. If you are a large-scale leisure, entertainment
or retail company looking to purchase Microsoft Surface please
contact your existing Microsoft representative or email the
Microsoft Surface business desk at
sbizdesk@microsoft.com. Consumers will be able to
purchase Microsoft Surface in about two to four years.
How much does Microsoft Surface cost?
Microsoft Surface is currently not available for
individual consumer purchase, nor is there a consumer pricepoint
available. However, commercial companies interested in purchasing
Microsoft Surface, or developers can learn
how to purchase Microsoft Surface.
A commercial Microsoft Surface unit is $12,500 (unit only), whereas
a developer Microsoft Surface units costs $15,000 and includes a
developer unit, support and five site licenses for access to the
SDK. Please note that the prices listed above are for U.S.
availability. For pricing in other markets, please contact the
Microsoft Surface business desk at
sbizdesk@microsoft.com.
We are interested in renting, loaning or leasing
a Microsoft Surface unit for an upcoming event. Is this possible?
Unfortunately, Microsoft Surface units are not
available for rent, loan or lease.
Who do I talk to about getting a demo?
Video demos are available on
this site for individuals interested in learning more about
Microsoft Surface. For commercial and enterprise customers
interested in a demo at the Microsoft campus in Redmond, Washington,
please contact your Microsoft sales representative.
How do I become a distributor/reseller for
Microsoft Surface?
If you are interested in becoming a distributor or
reseller for Microsoft Surface, please contact the Microsoft Surface
business desk at
sbizdesk@microsoft.com.
How do I buy a unit for my small business?
Visit the
How to Buy section of Surface.com
to download the order form. For more questions on purchasing
Microsoft Surface, please contact the Microsoft Surface business
desk at
sbizdesk@microsoft.com.
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APPLICATION, SDK, AND ISV
I heard developers at the Professional
Developers Conference (PDC) got SDK's, where can I get one?
The Microsoft Surface team did offer a limited
distribution of the Microsoft Surface SDK at PDC back in October to
more than 600 developers. However, as a limited distribution, the
SDK was only available to developers that either attended the
"Developing for Microsoft Surface" session or stopped by one of the
Microsoft Surface hands-on labs at the event.
What if I want an SDK but didn't attend PDC?
We encourage developers to participate in the
Microsoft Surface conversation through our blog on MSDN, as we are
committed to growing a healthy Surface partner and developer
ecosystem. Also, interested developers and partners can contact the
Microsoft Surface business desk at
sbizdesk@microsoft.com for more information about the SDK
and future distribution availability.
Will you have a public software development kit
("SDK") available
We have an SDK for Microsoft Surface, and are
working with a limited number of ISVs, commercial launch customers
and a limited number of developers at this time in order to ensure
the best possible end–user experience. We anticipate expanding the
SDK to the broader developer and ISV community over time; however,
the Microsoft Surface SDK is currently not widely available.
What applications will come with Microsoft
Surface? Are there third party applications like point of sale
transactions or food ordering?
Microsoft applications, including virtual
concierge, music and photo will be made available for our customers
to use with their initial Microsoft Surface deployments. However,
third–party and customized applications such as point of sale are
being developed by our customers, ISV partners and their application
development teams.
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