Microsoft Surface is a multi-touch horizontal display that allows several users to manipulate different files in a visual manner. The following short video gives a pretty good look at its features.
The functionality and interface ideas are largely presaged in Sony's DataTiles prototype, which appeared in 2001. See Sony DataTiles Inspired By What SF Movie? for more information (and yes, the researchers named the sf movie that inspired their research).
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 5/30/2007)
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!)
is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for
the Invention Category that interests
you, the Glossary, the Invention
Timeline, or see what's New.
Nano-Chainmail 2D Mechanically Interlocked Polymer
'Nemourlon armor of reasonable weight resists penetration by most fragments and any bullet that is not both reasonably heavy and fairly high-velocity.'
Humans Love Helping Other Species
'At the ringside opposite them a table had been removed to make room for a large transparent plastic capsule on wheels.'