T-Mobile taps "Surface" to up in-store experience

[Alex]

T-Mobile taps "Surface" to up in-store experience
SOURCE: Fierce Wireless (http://howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1171775#)

T-Mobile USA (http://howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1171775#) is looking to increase its in-store experience with what could be an expensive deal to install the brand new coffee table computers (http://howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1171775#) Microsoft just announced at a Wall Street Journal conference today. T-Mobile USA, Starwood Hotels and Harrah's Entertainment will be among the first retailers to make use of their touch-screen computers in November.

Microsoft's "Surface" technology (http://howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1171775#) (named "PlayTable"), includes a 30-inch tabletop PC with a gestural touch interface. The company is touting the table's multi-touch, multi-user interface as an ideal solution for restaurants, clubs and hotels and it certainly looks like it would lend a futuristic feel to otherwise mundane tasks. In a demo on the "Today Show" this morning (video link below), Microsoft chairman Bill Gates showed off a number of the table's capabilities: auto-sensing a credit card, downloading photos from a camera over WiFi and even finger painting. The products runs to about $10,000. The Surface box consists of a 30" display, an underside projector and a series of motion-tracking cameras that feed into a 1Ghz Windows Vista (http://howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1171775#) PC.

For more on Surface:
- see this video (http://www.uptilt.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=69l,sidg,8mg,3x30,ajyc,b48k,hbcp) of Bill Gates on the "Today Show"
- this Wall Street Journal article (http://www.uptilt.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=69l,sidg,8mg,a3em,ha93,b48k,hbcp) (sub. req.)
- and the official Surface website (http://www.uptilt.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=69l,sidg,8mg,it24,dk2h,b48k,hbcp)


SOURCE: www.fierecewireless.com (http://www.fierecewireless.com/)

[TMoLover]

I think it's great that T-Mobile will be the first carrier to get to use this new technology in it's stores. It would make the in-store shopping experience more enjoyable and fun. :)

[tmobilefan]

Has anyone seen it in a T-Mobile store yet?

[joedagook]

yea. this is the youtube video i posted not too long ago listed as "future of tmobile stores"

its that touch screen computer thing.

[christyxcore]

I saw the youtube video, i thought that was pretty cool and can't wait to start seeing it in the t-mobile stores, it would be a lot more fun :)

[loveblast]

OMG. Yea I went to the T-mobile store in Minneaplois!
And I was like what the hell is that???
But it wasent a the thingy yall r talking about. Its someOther type of special doo-hicky, lol
:p

[Nwahs]

OMG. Yea I went to the T-mobile store in Minneaplolis.
And I was like what the hell is that???
I asked the Rep and he said it was soming new that they only had in major us citys right. now! I wasnt there long enough to accutly see it in action or use it but it looked sick! =P
:p

Woah Woah Woah
Which T-mobile store in Minneapolis has this. I've been to a few recently and I haven't seen it yet. I wanna check this out :)

[terryjohnson16]

What is so special about this? I fail to see the hype. Someone explain to me.

[loveblast]

Yea I agree with Terry. I dont see y every1 is so excited... its a fricken computer!!!?!!!

[kinjutsu11]

Yea I agree with Terry. I dont see y every1 is so excited... its a fricken computer!!!?!!!


Its actually pretty cool. For example; If you have a WM phone, on setting it on the tabletop PC, it automatically connects and "senses" the phone and allows for tasks like dragging pictures out of the phone and onto your tabletop PC by dragging and dropping gestures on the table, setting a second device allows for "dragging" transfers, syncs, and other unique stuff. The gestures work much like an iPhone. I'm not sure how T-Mobile would implement this at their stores, but it would be pretty unique.

Check out the demos at the surface web site and check the third link called "The Possibilites" @

Microsoft Surface (http://www.microsoft.com/surface/)

[j__1]

This cynical (and hilarious) video came out some time ago: The Big Ass Table from Microsoft (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_czPDtECjlU)

I think Bonita is still obsessed with the activation process... as it takes over 30 minutes to complete on average (much faster than at&t and Verizon). Unfortunately, IT really can't solve this problem. While the target should be a 5 minute activation, they really need to focus on why it takes so long...and systems have little to do with this opportunity.

If she really wants to drive incremental growth, eliminating waste in the bill payment, handset upgrade, and tendering processes is where it is. It is pretty easy to recognize significant efficiency gains in regards to these transactions... and in return RSRs would have more time to focus on activations during peak times.

It ain’t sexy, but the spiff-to-noise ratio is extremely attractive...Think Big, Act Small. :rolleyes:

[christyxcore]

Lol i love the Big Ass Table from Microsoft video rofl

[Nwahs]

I'm laughing so hard right now....I love that video

[semaj]

Thats good as long as tmobile doesnt need ot spend that much money to deploy it. it could push sales of the device by M$ but they better do it for free or great discount since it is advertising for M$

[MagicKnight]

Surface is AMAZING. I got to experience this table about six months ago at the Park Lane Hotel in London, UK. So fluid, absolutely amazing experience. It's just so intuitive and smooth and innovative. It was engaging and fun. You have to experience it.

[j__1]

Surface is AMAZING. I got to experience this table about six months ago at the Park Lane Hotel in London, UK. So fluid, absolutely amazing experience. It's just so intuitive and smooth and innovative. It was engaging and fun. You have to experience it.

Can you talk a little more about your experience? I'm genuinely curious.


BTW, do you work for M$? Cuz if not, you should... I'm sure you would give the guy Fake Steve rants about a run for his money! :D



What ails Microsoft (http://fakesteve.blogspot.com/2007/06/what-ails-microsoft.html)

If you wonder why Microsoft can't seem to get out of its own way these days, read this terrifying first-person essay (http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/jun2007/bs20070607_329811.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index _b-schools) by an MBA who now works at Microsoft, in which he admits he's a "non-techie" and describes his goal as "unlocking value" from software, which he compares to chocolate chip cookies and running shoes. Now look. I love MBAs as much as the next guy. Actually I don't. But whatever. The fact is, Microsoft was better off when its staff looked like this. (http://www.partshq.com/cartoon_guess_who.htm)

Posted by Steve at 12:21 PM (http://fakesteve.blogspot.com/2007/06/what-ails-microsoft.html)
Labels: MicroTards (http://fakesteve.blogspot.com/search/label/MicroTards)