Microsoft hopes 'Milan' table PC has magic touch

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At its core, Milan is powered by a fairly standard high-end Vista PC with an off-the-shelf graphics card, 3GHz Pentium 4 processor and 2GB of memory. To make the touch screen work, Microsoft crams a lot of other stuff into its tabletop unit. Underneath the roughly textured scratch-proof and spill-proof surface covering the top of the unit, five infrared cameras sense fingers or other objects touching the surface, while a DLP projector turned on its side generates the screen image people see.

Related story
How 'Milan' was born

Idea of a table-like PC
has generated interest
since at least 2001.

To show off the technology to the public, Microsoft has written a few demo applications, such as the paint and photo apps, as well as a program in which specially tagged clear tiles make up a jigsaw puzzle. Instead of a still image, however, the tiles are part of a moving video (it's harder than it sounds to put together).

But Microsoft has hooked up its partners with a handful of software companies it has certified to write Milan-compatible programs. The company isn't making the technology widely available to developers, though it may do so down the road.

Microsoft is not alone in the arena of multitouch computing. NYU professor Jeff Han wowed the crowd at the March TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) conference with a similar technology and has launched a start-up, Perceptive Pixel, to commercialize it. Apple has also gotten patents in the area and has talked about the use of multitouch in its upcoming iPhone.

Still, Thompson said he isn't worried about infringing anyone else's technology.

"Our legal team feels really good about our IP situation," Thompson said.

The Milan effort began during a series of conversations between Microsoft researcher Andy Wilson and hardware designer Steve Bathiche. The team presented the idea in 2003 to Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and started working on prototypes.

Microsoft itself has launched other ventures in this area, largely through Microsoft Research, which has been demonstrating projects in this realm for years. It even licensed a derivative of the touch technology to a medical-imaging company last year. Another version, dubbed PlayAnywhere, is a mobile take on surface computing, using a can-size projector and camera to allow any flat space to be turned into a computer.

As for Milan, the software maker hopes to get the technology into lots of other areas, such as the education market, in addition to into consumers' hands. Although the initial customers are getting the same tabletop design, Microsoft says the product will eventually come in other shapes and sizes, including vertical, or stand-up units.

It's the interface that makes the difference. Not only is it easy to use, but unlike traditional computing, it's not an isolating experience.

"We're all connected through MySpace.com and have all these virtual worlds and virtual friends but we don't do a lot of socializing like this," Thompson said, pointing to several chairs seated around the Milan device.

CNET News.com's Greg Sandoval contributed to this report.

[pjianwei]

MS is not that innovationless.

They spent billions on research but the things they come up with are too quirky, not that mainstream. Things like origami or tablet are special but they are not as mainstream as the ipod wheel control.

[jessiethe3rd]

Microsoft R&D

There's a lot more to it then you think. For goodness sake Microsoft creates and sells patient technology leveraging its partner community. Unlike Apple, Microsoft shares the wealth across a vast industry eco system.

[t8]

But can you google?

But can you google? What matters is getting access to the Internet.

[t8]

Actually Google could...

Google could create a similar device for accessing the Internet only. They could then make all their Web properties available instead of applications. No hard drive needed.

They could undercut MS for price by leveraging their Adsense network to gain revenue, not to mention the extra traffic they would get.

[genotypewriter]

It's like asking...

... whether someone can use a car just to sit in.

CNET had a link to a YouTube video of the same product where they show a virtual keyboard (as I recall).

Again, don't confuse the hardware with the software and the basics components of a computer such as input/output devices and the CPU.

[CBWolf]

Wow

As a Mac user, and some one who has faulted Microsoft for years
for being a commodity player with little ability to innovate or even
create a quality product, all I can say is wow. The Microsoft-camp
definitely has a feather to put in their cap with the Milan. Let's hope
it doesn't take too long for these things to filter down into the
consumer market.

[zmonster]

patents

Does the MS Surface multi-touch interface infringe on the patents
Apple has for the iPhone multitouch paradigm? I guess we'll find
out soon enough.

[notgonnatellya]

Not a commodity

PC's are commodities, but MS products are not. They get fairly high prices for most of their s/w products. I've never looked closely at their hardware, so perhaps their joysticks, mice and keyboards are commodities.

[Thrudheim]

Don't go too far

Lots of people are working on this, not just Microsoft. Jeff Han's
demos of this kind of technology represent the most advanced
work. And Apple, surely, is not just putting multi-touch into the
iPhone. My bet is that they've got some really interesting stuff
coming out soon.

So, yes, give credit to Microsoft for a cool demo, but there's a lot
of other stuff coming from many companies that will be similarly
cool.

For what its worth, the earliest demonstrations coming from
Microsoft's labs of a UI involving a sidebar were way, way cooler
than what finally came out in Vista. They have a long record of
making a big fuss about prototypes and concepts.

[coryschulz]

Looks nice

I would not be surprised to find many other companies come out with many similar, and much cheaper, products in the next few years. I don't know if this is something Apple would get into, but I think a lot of other companies would.

[Llib Setag]

NYU Multi-Touch & Apple

Go to YouTube & search for "Multi Touch" to see NYU professor's
demo of this technology. This study was funded by Apple &
others.
Apple has patented their version of Multi-Touch with the iPhone,
but that is just the tip of the iceberg.

Leopard OSX 10.5 has been "optimized" for Multi-Touch apps &
Apple has been researching Multi-Touch displays as well...

Multi-Touch OSX & iPhone are less than a MONTH away, yet MS
has been in "R&D" mode for FIVE YEARS on Milan...WHY did they
choose NOW to talk about this?

MS : great pitch / no follow through.

Apple : delivers the home run.

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Multi" target="_newWindow">http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Multi</a>
+Touch&#38;search=Search

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.apple.com/iphone/technology/" target="_newWindow">http://www.apple.com/iphone/technology/</a>

iPHONE + Multi-Touch technology at January 2007 Keynote
Address :
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/j47d52oo/event/" target="_newWindow">http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/j47d52oo/event/</a>

[Mister Winky]

At least one multi-touch device has been in the market for over a year...

Before everyone starts claiming Apple or MS are first to market with a multi-tocuh based device, be aware that another company beat both of them to the punch.

Admittedly, it's an expensive and relatively obscure product aimed at musicians, DJs, audio engineers, etc. but the Jazz Mutant Lemur has been ringing up rave review for over a year now:

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.jazzmutant.com/lemur_lastupdate.php" target="_newWindow">http://www.jazzmutant.com/lemur_lastupdate.php</a>

It's a customizable multi-touch interface for controlling audio functions, virtual instruments and effects.

-Mister Winky

[genotypewriter]

What a possessive bunch...

... apple fans are! What's wrong if these things are there in the market? The better product will win! Right now, all the things you're comparing this with are for different purposes. Why on earth do you people take these things personally? It's sub-human behavior.

[aemarques]

Philips...

Philips has come out with something similiar, although focused on board games:
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.research.philips.com/initiatives/entertaible/index.html" target="_newWindow">http://www.research.philips.com/initiatives/entertaible/index.html</a>

[aemarques]

BEFORE iPhony

Oh, BTW, Philips showed this for the first time (in public) at CES in January 2006... ;-)

[expatincebu]

Microsoft inovative?

Now there is an oxymoron! MS only talent is copying other companies ideas, doing a lousy implementation of it, and marketing the hell out of it to half witted CIO's.

I am sure Milan will be a big hit, just like Zune.

[smilin:)]

Yep

Quite innovative. $6.5 Billion dollars a year in R&#38;D (That's a B). Apple by contrast does what $550 million or so?

As for copying other companies...you realize that Microsoft holds patents for the iPod interface right? Apple copied it and as a result pays MS on every unit sold.

Know that nifty thing called google earth? Who's technology do you think google is licensing? They aren't even leveraging it to it's full potential either. Go look at the maps &#38; 3D of MS's Virtual Earth.

Oh and the Zune? That went from napkin diagram to working product in 8 months. Find another company that can do that. I guess wireless networking on a personal device isn't innovative either. BTW.. Apple had a 5 year head start with the hdd based music player but the Zune is already #2 on the list in less than a year.

Who do you suppose Microsoft copied this latest idea from? Oh yeah...that one company that has been innovating in the tablet PC area for years now. Who was that again? That's right..Microsoft.

Microsoft is quite an innovater. You're just a hater. Did Bill Gates buy your dog or something?

[SuperYogurt]

@smilin:)

We all appreciate the rabid display of Microsoft-fanboyism, it's quite amusing, but maybe you should get your facts straight. The so called "Microsoft patent for iPod" has nothing to do with its interface. The two patents are actually quite unrelated, and both have been rejected multiple times.
http://www.forbes.com/home/digitalentertainment/2005/08/12/microsoft-apple-patent-cx_ld_0812microsoft.html
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/08/10/microsoft_apple_patent/

The Zune is not innovative, no matter how you spin it. Wireless networking? Wow...good idea, but hardly innovation. 8-month development time is why the first generation Zune sucked so much. If anything, it shows lack of management skills and care about the final product. Oh, and it also might show that Microsoft has a lot of money.

I don't know what you're talking about with Google Earth; Virtual Earth is a new competitor from Microsoft. Once again, after seeing the success of another company, Microsoft had decided to come up with a very similar product.

Microsoft innovating in the tablet PC area? I don't know much about this... but... example? I've never heard anything of the sort.

So, to sum up, you have misrepresented information, lied, failed to analyze information properly, and made personal assumptions. Maybe Microsoft bought you?

[joe11ee]

mi

im just dropping by,nice post!

iPod Converter
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.ipodconverter.com" target="_newWindow">http://www.ipodconverter.com</a>

[rdean]

Hope they don't patent the horizontal kiosk

That'd be another black mark on the USPTO's record.

[fred dunn]

Outstanding, It's about time....

That MS focuses on touch technology as a primary UI. Next to voice it is the most intuitive interface but it should not have to be horizontal. HW Vendors should work on developing touch interfaces with (at minimum) resolutions matching that of large screen LCD TV's that also isolated the user from damaging the LCD.
Kiosks have been around for a while so while this is really not a new concept the idea of the OS being touch-centric is. But to really use this technology it will have to be as high a resolution of commercially available graphics pads yet not as expensive.

Good luck with this.

[wildchild_plasma_gyro]

Future of this product

Will entertain some hard core enthusiasts,Pubs and clubs.
Will last about six year and won't earn enough money in itself to fund the real jewel microsoft obviously wants a piece of one that projects holographically up and that you can touch.
However that version is going to take a lot and it's no suprise this model won't really wash the sides on funding the biggy.
But hey its an addition to the cabinet.
How ever mini PC's and mobile gadgets are well capable of doing **** loads of things especially with a brain like windows in them and that comment from the head of RandD saying about the only thing on the big market for mobiles was the standard model.
One bad decision if ever there was one.
Obviously no one thort of what a mini DLP could do for Gates eyes given a good spectrum, some rifined omega 3 oils, a few carotine and advancments to the bateses method plus super safty testing.
Hey it beats a laser anyday and work to better eyes for life.

[gatornuke]

what about writing?

what happens when you need to write a paper or some e-mail? will it have an on-screen keyboard? those things are incredibly annoying.

[weegg]

Limited use

This type of technology is really limiting unless there is some
feedback support (which it does not have).

Other technologies will overtake it fairly quickly. Brain-wave
translation and application looks to be more fruitful than this.

[FutureGuy]

good answer

couldn't have put it better

[Hep Cat]

Apple has "Talked about the use of multitouch"?

They're shipping the iPhone in three weeks.

Once again, Apple beats Microsoft to market, and C|Net can't help
but fall all over the gang from Redmond.

This announcement has more to do with Gates' insecurity about
being on stage with Jobs tonight at the D conference.

[smilin:)]

c|net has it right

The iphone isn't using multitouch.

The iphone is using technology developed years ago by those guys that do all those tablet PCs...Microsoft.

And Gates isn't insecure in the slightest. Jobs is facing the SEC on one side and a far more intelligent man on the other that probably has enough change in his pocket to buy him right there on the stage.

[Koo Breez]

Apple isn't multi-touch

None of Apple's products are multi-touch nor is iPhone. iPhone isn't even a Smartphone for that matter. You religious Apple fanatics can't even see past your own stupidity.

[smilin:)]

ah, apple fans..

Apples "innovative" OS was so crappy with memory management and other fundamentals that they had to "innovate" a new one by licencing freeBSD.

They "innovated" an mp3 player by copying the existing ones out there, slapping someone else design for a scroll wheel on it and licencing MS patents for the interface.

That's it. Two products. What? Is there something else even worth mentioning? If you talk about their servers or apple TV everyone will fall over laughing.

Are people so blindly in love with Apple that they can never ever possibly give MS the props? Milan's interface isn't the slightest bit impressive but you'll have an orgasm over the iPhone's? Recognize your bias people.

[prttony]

preach on...

Preach on, I think the word Zealot comes to mind when i think of how blindly Apple folks jump on the bandwagon anytime something 'mac' comes out. I can recognize a good product, i can recognize a good company, can anyone tell me how much apple has donated to 3rd world countries? oh wait there was that "for every nano you buy, apple will donate..." thing, not really donating if you have to BUY SOMETHING TO DONATE! lol.

[genotypewriter]

They remind me of...

... people who have converted from one religion to another. They're usually hateful towards anything that's not what they're following right now.

Mac users probably let their own computer-illiteracy abuse them and then developed an aversion towards what they can't achieve instead of going back to master them. A common human fault... and it's more common to see it in mac fans.

They also make me think about Nazis... giving in to dictatorship, thinking that everything else is less... think about it...

[subliminalbrad]

Re: ah, apple fans..

Well that was a pretty poorly-informed rant. While you're criticism of &gt;=OS9's memory management is deserved, they were really no worse than Windows ME and earlier. And Apple's reengineering of OSX is pretty analogous to Microsoft's movement from DOS-based ME to NT-based XP. And Apple didn't "license freebsd," they licensed XNU from NeXT to develop Darwin, for which they updated some of the original BSD code with newer FreeBSD code. This is similar to the way Microsoft licensed the VMS kernel for NT.

While mp3 players certainly existed pre-iPod, let's give credit where credit is due; the iPod is the most user-friendly digital music player on the market. The click-wheel interface was a true innovation; no interface before or since has come close to its intuitive simplicity.

[kool_skatkat]

what's yours?

And you're not biased?

[smilin:)]

Reading comprehension

Multitouch. Muuullltiiii. Go look at the photo's and you'll get it. The iPhone is using nothing more advanced than the Tablet technology that Microsoft developed over what 5 years ago??

MS has already gotten the Milan to market too. Note the hotel branding on the demo units. iPhone (without multitouch) isn't even out yet.

Do MS fanbois come jumping on Apple articles the way you guys do? Did Jobs tell you during a sermon to go forth and be zealots like this?

It's a pretty neat product. You (meaning rational people) have to admit. :)

[kentonr]

Oh Gawd!

What the hell are you talking about??!! The iPhone is 'without
multitouch'??? The iPhone is all about multitouch!!

Microsoft is just giving you larkies something to feel good about
a few years early (remember how great Vista was supposed to
be) while Apple is SHIPPING its multitouch product in a few
weeks! Do you seriously think you will walk into a restaurant
with this anytime soon??

Naive indeed!

[kool_skatkat]

Years of tablet

Bill admitted, some people have more taste than others. It's amazing how many hears of tablet PC and nothing like the iPhone. There's been a whole industry behind it. The design house, the software companies, all of that...

You have to admit it, apple does raise the bar many times.

[hounddoglgs]

5 years and untold millions wasted...

So this is what M$ was doing when they should have been debugging Vista? What a joke! A quote from the article you should heed:

"The Microsoft Surface tabletop PC, for which the company has created both the hardware and software,"

.... that's a recipe for disaster. I'll bet this thing won't perform half as well as advertised and has the same poor quality of any other M$ product. At $10k, this thing is a novelty item at best- Only a few corporations and geeks with too much money to spend will buy one.

[kakodes_too]

untold millions wasted?

Not much money is wasted. If Microsoft spent the money paying kids to play video games, the money wouldn't be wasted -- it's still in circulation, and taxes are paid.

[FutureGuy]

Apple's porfolio

of products in miniscule compared to MS. Microsoft?s technology is used everywhere from finding the nearest gamestore (local.live.com street&#38;trips, MapPoint), getting a game console (Xbox), connecting to a game community (Xbox ? live) to playing a game (Halo), to listing to music Zune, to getting your office work done (Windows and MS office).

[FutureGuy]

Was meant as reply to MSSlayer guy's comment

$6.5 billion?

[rcrusoe]

Very cool

But when Microsoft ever be able to delivery this technology to the home consumer?

As slick as this is, the company that can deliver a consumer product is the one that is going to get the glory.

If this is only used for hotels, casinos, kiosks, etc. then it will be as meaningless to the average person as the OS in an ATM or self check out.

Let the hype begin!

[Fil0403]

...and very useful

Why shouldn't they be able to deliver (not delivery) this technology to the home consumer? If there is a software company in this world with the power, money and know-how to do something like that it's Microsoft. Plus, even if that wouldn't happen (and they already said it will), an OS in an ATM may be meaningless to you, but who cares about you? Have you ever imagined how rich must be a company that has its OS in every ATM in a country like the USA or in a continent or in the world?

[ajbright]

I'm not trying to be facetious

But isn't something like this ruined by sticky fingers? I mean won't it get scratched up if you're constantly cleaning it?

Don't get me wrong, seems a neat idea - but it's not something that would interest me that much, the whole thing just seems so fragile.

[grangerfx]

Multi-touch needs force feedback

The biggest missing feature in this device is some form of force feedback. Force feedback (known as Haptics) allows a user to know when they have pressed a button or dragged an object simply by the sense of touch. Haptics uses subtle vibrations to simulate button presses or drag friction. This turns the flat glass surface of a touch screen into a truely interactive control surface.

[MauiMac]

This "Milan" will take off!...

then crash just like the Zune... ; )&gt;

[MSSlayer]

Exactly

Don't forget Vista and Office 2007 as well.

It is funny, the only thing MS produces that might be considered quality(although it is no better then the competition), the XBOX is a giant money vacuum.

[ZuneChannel]

Jobs is Now Screaming His Head Off...

...at all the 'little apple people', wondering how Bill and Steve managed to one-up him.

Gene from ZuneChannel.com

[Thrudheim]

Gene is out in Zune land

If you think that Apple has just been sitting around doing
nothing with multi-touch, then you are out in Zune-land. Wait
and see. See what products *ship* over the next few years --
then talk. Apple will have more than just the iPhone and iPods
with multi-touch. They just tend to be more secretive than
Microsoft about talking about technology in development.

Lots of people are working on this technology. If anyone has
"one-upped" anybody else, it's Jeff Han.

[shane--2008]

what?

how is a table sized limited use hunk of expensive junk "one-
up"ing a product set to launch and make a mint?

are the MS people so desperate for a victory after the poopcolored
zune and the wow that failed to start that this piece of nothing
looks like victory?

amazing....

[three_toed_frog]

Would be a godsend for some DJs.

As a DJ, I would actually love something like this to replace traditional turntables, and even clumsy laptop DJing. I can imagine myself loading up a 4GB flash drive with high quality MP3/AAC rips from my records and just carrying that to a venue.

All I do is plug that sucker into the table, and the Milan-based "virtual turntable deck" displays my music and I'm ready to go. Sweet!