Sporting Brain

Page B1 of the WSJ has a look at Microsoft's new "Surface". It is being unveiled today at D5. From the Journal:

At a technology conference sponsored by The Wall Street Journal, Microsoft today will unveil the fruits of six years of research pushed by Chairman Bill Gates -- a computer designed like a table with a touch-screen. The system, called Surface and aimed initially for use in hotels and casinos, includes features that allow users to buy tickets to events, wirelessly retrieve and display photos and play games. It goes on sale later this year.

We got a glimpse of this from Scoble a little while back. The Surface is going to be aimed at hotels and casinos, initially (anyone remember the good old days of sit down arcade game tables?). I obviously have not used Surface, but I have to say I love the idea. The look and feature set seem very slick...even 'Apple-esque'; it is certainly something I could see in my house. But what I really love is using it as a virtual poker table! It will be interesting to see if this announcement helps Microsoft win a small PR battle against Apple in the innovation department? /kff