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Microsoft Surface Tested Out at the Sheraton NYC

Where: 811 7th Avenue [map], New York, ny, United States, 10019

June 13, 2007 at 8:58 AM | 1 Comment

Tipster Dominic over at Endless Innovation let us know that the first Microsoft Surface computer debuted over the weekend at the Sheraton New York. This is funny to us because Sheraton is like the last hotel chain in the world we would ever associate with high-tech considering how awful their in-room internet connection can be.

Nevertheless, Dominic was on-hand for the first-ever public demonstration of the Surface, which is a "digital interactive table with a 30-inch touch screen." So imagine a check-in kiosk but on your glass coffee table. Dominic writes:

I had a chance to drop by the event around noon on Saturday, and was impressed by the ease of use of the Microsoft Surface. (I even had the opportunity to play Picasso, using a new paint application that Microsoft has developed for the table) In the Sheraton New York lobby, a mix of tourists, school kids and technology fans crowded around three Surface demo stations. One big attraction was the prototype Surface music-catalog/purchasing demo application, in which songs or entire albums could be effortlessly added to a Microsoft Zune. The drink-ordering application also was popular among the Surface demo attendees, who could theoretically have points subtracted from a credit card or preferred guest card.

Hotel guests can also use the Surface to map out locations in the city and upload their photos or videos in addition to checking out and paying the room bill.

More Microsoft Surface tables will show up in Starwood Hotels and Harrah's Resorts in November. Let's hope Starwood doesn't charge you an arm and a leg to use it, like they do for basic internet access.

[Photo: Stephen Gates]

Related Stories:
· The public debut of Microsoft Surface at the Sheraton New York [Endless Innovation]

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Author Photo: juliana by juliana

1 Comment

Return to » Microsoft Surface Tested Out at the Sheraton NYC

  1. connectme360

    HotelChatter Member
    August 13, 2008 at 12:06 PM




    Re: Microsoft Surface at the Sheraton NYC

    In other words, the music experience caters to the 2% of the portable music audience that has purchased a Zune. I seem to remember an AdAge analysis of that audience that suggested that they purchased a Zune because they are nonconformists.

    Any pictures of any printouts? If you're checking out a musical I'd expect the Surface to show you the musical and let you take something with you, like a print brochure or something. I expect people want to take their experiences with them -- they don't want to be carrying a Surface around with them, nor would MSFT let them!!

    Many of Surface's features are appearing on the iPhone: gesturing, music, videos, destination guides, etc. I think MSFT and Sheraton took too long (14 months!!) to get going.

    Further, in 4Q08 of this year I expect Apple to release an inexpensive netbook that will include access to the iTunes store, run web and iTunes apps, and play video and music.  

    Read more about my take on Surface:
    http://www.connectmenetworks.com/

Return to » Microsoft Surface Tested Out at the Sheraton NYC

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