Science Friday Spark 8/12/2011

2. Please read the Science Friday handout and consider what questions you have for me and list at least three possible topics you would want to pursue for this assignment. Science Friday Spark 8/12/2011

3. Arthur C. Clarke's famous Third Law: "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." Microsoft Vision 2019

4. Microsoft Vision 2019 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWxqSEMXWuw&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

5. What is your topic (discovery, technology, research)? • Microsoft Vision 2019 • Future technology that will change the way we think and do • http://youtu.be/RWxqSEMXWuw

6. Background information that is relevant to your topic so that the average citizen can follow where you are going without getting lost. Why did you choose this topic?n can follow where you are going without getting lost. Why did you choose this topic? • This technology is already available in a large number of personal electronic devices. • As users can be immersed in the experience technology becomes an extension of the person. • In the near future, using this type of computing will be as commonplace as using a fork.

7. Touch Sensitive Device Schematic Say “Goodbye” to your mouse and keyboard

8. The Power of Pixel SenseA peek into surface technology

9. The Power of Pixel SenseA peek into surface technology A contact (finger/blob/tag/object) is placed on the display • IR back light unit provides light (though the optical sheets, LCD and protection glass) that hits the contact. • Light reflected back from the contact is seen by the integrated sensors • Sensors convert the light signal into an electrical signal/value • Values reported from all of the sensors are used to create a picture of what is on the display • The picture is analyzed and sent to the PC. It includes the corrected sensor image and various contact types (fingers/blobs/tags)

10. 40 inch Samsung SUR 40 $8600 Target: hospitals, automobile, healthcare and financial institutions

11. Hands on Technology • Microsoft Surface Hands On http://youtu.be/kr1O917o4jI • Surface Demo http://youtu.be/Zxk_WywMTzc(0-44; 1:19 - 6:30)

12. Transparency???? • http://youtu.be/rwCi-WqMIFA • http://youtu.be/vngSpW6fmeo • A Day Made of Glass • http://youtu.be/6Cf7IL_eZ38

13. Who is responsible for the discovery, technology, research (i.e. government agency, university, private corporation)? How did this science come about (society/technology influencing science) • Microsoft is the software developer • Samsung – the hardware (runs Windows 7 Professional) • Corning and others – the interface screen • Microsoft vision is a progression of “interface computing” to the next level. • Interactions are greatly increased, made more personal- almost an extension of the brain and mind • Profit and long-term brand identification combined with a blend of servicing humanity is the motivation

14. What are the uses and/or implications for the discovery, technology, research? How does this science or technology influence society? • Uses may be amazing, but are they necessary? • It is doubtful that we will need digital boarding passes, when most fliers feel getting through security is the biggest hassle and technology seems to be making that worse. • Depending on workplace needs, the mainstreaming of this technology will alter how people do their jobs

15. What are the uses and/or implications for the discovery, technology, research? How does this science or technology influence society? • “The only limit is your imagination. Whether you're in hospitality, retail, healthcare, professional services, or the public sector, you can change the way people interact with information and with each other.” -Microsoft Surface Website

16. “Benefits” expressed by Microsoft “Make content more engaging. Plan and simulate. Make learning more fun. Transform the shopping experience. Connect with customers through games and pastimes. Communicate and connect.” These appear to be directed at entertaining and profiting from customers who are dazzled by the interface with technology. As stated, I do not think these are benefits.

17. What do you think? Is this science helpful, necessary, useless, a waste of time and money? Be constructively critical and give the class your opinion. • This new direction is awe-inspiring and still leaves the skeptic with questions. • The technology for Vision 2019 already exists there is no practical way yet to integrate it with the general public. • Many critics feel we should not be that impressed since Microsoft took current technology and wrapped in a nice package with “new age music”

18. Questions What are at least two questions you would want to ask the scientist(s) if you could? • Who will honestly be able to utilize Vision technology when it’s available to buy? • What are the “bugs” and potential problems with this new type of computing? • What is Apple’s answer to Microsoft Vision? • What about security? • Do I really want to see my bank account information on any surface of my house? Who else can “see” it?

19. Sources (May be links to websites or informal citations with source, author and year) • www.sciencebug.com • www.popsci.com • www.microsoft.com/vision2019/ • http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en/us/whatissurface.aspx • www.officelabs.com/projects/futurevisionmontage/ • http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/oled4.htm These sources are verified and cross-referenced as valid sources of information