How to do you perceive your home in 2013? Do you want all the devices in your home to run with your voice common and simply want to navigate through using your hands? Then you can surely dream about it because human touch and natural user interface is something that companies are seeing their future in. Some laptops and handheld devices already use biometric finger scans to access stored data and can easily recognize the human touch as input device. Well, these things might come into other device within your home too making your life much easier than ever before.

The real growth of these touchscreens will come when companies adapt it into home use devices where the touch screen technology can be used to navigate data, applications and functions. Touch screen is rapidly being developed by various companies and it won’t be much when you can find almost any devices coming with a built in touch screen facilities and input devices like keyboard and mouse might take a back seat.

Even today Apple’s iphone and Microsoft’s’ Surface technology have gained enough of credibility among the users because of their innovative touch screen functions and seamless integration with older version of devices. With more and more competition for these products in market one can be sure that many more companies will join the foray to create more amazing products with built in touch screen facilities to stay ahead in consumers demand and satisfaction.

Touch screen technology is divided into two distinct features; single touch and multi touch. In a single touch system users can only interact with one single area of the screen at one time which is found in smart phone like Palm Treo. Single touch technology is not expected to be around in the digital home in 2013 and the other version of touch screen, multi touch can enable you to handle different parts of the screen simultaneously with your own finger.

The multi touch gives much more flexibility in development and helps users interact with multiple point of the device at same time. Multi touch is expected to break into digital homes by 2013.

Microsoft’s surface products are expected to come into market by 2010 which will not only bring in huge demands for their products but will also motivate many more companies to pitch in their devices lapsed with touch screen and interactive handling features capable to recognize human touch and primary input device. Though Microsoft speculates its commercial viability but Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates have speculated to roll it out with their next version of operating system called Widows 7.

Is it too early to say that Windows 7 might be Microsoft’s last best hope to stem the tide against them? It probably is, but the way the corporate giant is acting one would think that is the primary thought running through their mind at the present moment.

Microsoft has posted a job opportunity on their website looking for a PR manager for their new Windows operating system, set to be released sometime in 2010. With the departure of Nick White (the man that did the same job for Windows Vista) and the absolute disaster to public relations that the operating system ended up being, this particular posting takes on a more interesting presence and one that has not been lost on many of the online technology bloggers.

Microsoft’s Windows 7 product really is where Microsoft appears to be making their stand as they attempt to gain back the market share they have lost to Apple in the wake of the Windows Vista fiasco. With Multitouch functionality and a number of changes to the code that are expected to tone down the resource intensive nature of the operating system greatly, Windows 7 appears to be a product that can get the job done if it has the proper marketing behind it.

Apparently Microsoft understands this and will be pulling out all the stops to ensure that Windows 7 hits the market with a lot of momentum behind it.

There are a number of things that Microsoft has done over the years that have made analysts in the industry scratch their heads, but with the computer software giant’s consistent string of victories in the marketplace, they have shown everyone that they know what they are doing.

However, the current situation is unlike any other situation Microsoft has ever faced. What they are up against in this particular run is a rejuvenated competition in the form of an Apple Corporation that has destroyed Microsoft in the mobile technology market as well as an albatross in Windows Vista that has made many people turn towards Apple, even if they like the fact that Microsoft is rushing Multitouch technology to the market with products like the Surface and the soon to be released Windows 7.

This is perhaps why Microsoft’s recent decision to mothball Windows XP has drawn the same raised eyebrows and scratched heads that many of their previous decisions have done as well.

But the rumours are most definitely true. Microsoft announced on Friday that they will no longer be selling people the Windows XP operating system, essentially forcing people to buy Vista if they would like a legal copy of Windows on their new computer. Since Windows Vista is a bloated albatross in operating system terms, this also indirectly means that modern technology setups are needed for people, forcing them to buy expensive new desktop systems as opposed to used ones that might have fit their budget better.

This is rumoured to be a move towards pushing people forward towards hardware configurations that can support Multitouch (and therefore making Windows 7 worthwhile when it hits the market), but at the moment that is little more than speculation.

The “Multiplayer Roulette system developed by Sweden’s TouchTable with built-in 56-inch touch LCD and a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 can accommodate up to seven players and can even recognize each person’s bet separately. Developed with intensive research and company’s proprietary technology this touch- screen roulette table is already making waves in various casinos and roulette clubs.

Different digital products for enhancing the fast play in casinos have been developed in recent years to speed up the games and decrease the chances of any cheating and discrepancies in the casinos games. Besides being fast aced and sleek in its outlook this touch screen tables are going to increase the efficiency of the game handling more numbers of players simultaneously on single table which will significantly increase the business of casinos.

Already touted as digital avatar of casinos this roulette Touch screen tables may not see the real world as soon because many veteran players are going to oppose it because of its fast paced games which won’t allow them using their cheats and hacks which they have learned after years of experience.

The Digital Touch screen roulette tables can change the way a game is played in casino which might simply eliminate the use of chips and money on the tables. Decreasing the time of a game cycle it will also reduce the chances of any dealer cheating in the game. Bets can be placed effortlessly with repeated bets making in their way back to the game. Besides that built in features like Help functions and other tools can help a newbie player’s use and play the game more easily.

The biggest problem, these touch screen roulette tables are going to face is from the traditional players who prefer to play using chips and money in hand. They would certainly not be interested to lose their grip on games and allow the casinos to take over their experience with any digital devices. Besides that there will also be chances of casinos molding the software in the game to their own favor which can seriously change the games at crucial point of time.

Microsoft is betting highly on this natural user interfaces. This is something Microsoft and Bill Gates will invest in future years after his retirement besides working for Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Gates had a well planned departure from the most exciting post ever in this industry. He gave up his post as CEO to Stave Ballmer in 2000 and three years ago decided to step back from the post of Chairman too.

Gates is not planning for an overall departure from MSFT but will focus only on few aspects of companies business which involves natural user interfaces and related activities. The 30-inch large Surface tabletop computer used in Gates office is now probably going to shift in Ballmer’s office which shows where the computers are going. This high - tech interactive touch screen tables are generally used to display maps and order food are used only in AT&T phone stores and Harrah’s Rio hotel in Las Vegas

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has expected surface computing as multi billion dollar business as they have invested heavily in its Research and development process to bring in high quality and effective devices that will recognize any human touch and respond accordingly. With aggressive competition from companies like Apple and Google, Microsoft has geared its belt tight against the innovative products from this company in the post Gates era which was completely over showed by the companies like Apple and Google.

To break into the market of internet enabled devices and gadgets, Microsoft have decided to achieve its past success by bringing in more innovative products and designer apps which can give Apple and Google a run for their money.

Though Microsoft has seen the future of Keyboard and mouse as alternate input device for the computer system but they have expressed their interest in human voice and hand touch as major input methods in future generation computers which can seamlessly be integrated with many other devices like mobile phones, X-box, PDAs and many other hand-held devices.

Microsoft’s surface technology might be a distant dream for the consumers as of yet but the latest innovation from the guy called Seth Sandler an undergraduate at UC san Diego has at least brought the touch screen computer into his dorm. Using a cardboard with a webcam, portable multi-touchpad, a piece of glass paper and Philips SPC900NC he has built a touch screen that can handle his computer with the command from his fingers. The camera recognizes the shadow of the fingers as they are placed in the pad’s surface. Tracking software then transfers the motions to the computer screen for further processing.

Inspired somewhat from the Microsoft’s Surface Technology which was announced last year this cardboard touch screen box can recognize the finger touch with the help of webcam fixed in it. Though it might not be as useful as the original variants which will cost you some good amount dollars but it shows how an innovative mind with knowledge of technology can bring things from nowhere. Check Out the Video Below:

Toy story Midway Manis is the first phase of billion dollar investment by Disney land to bring in chain of amusement park along the Disney Land which will be coupled with 3-D gaming experience and ultra modern technologies.

Today’s house of the future

Disneyland has opened up the Innovations Dream home in the Tomorrowland Area. It is a mixed blend of technology, fantasy and, marketing by Disney and its partner Microsoft, HP and home automater Life/Ware and Taylor Morrison.

Built with an investment of $15 million in 5000 square foot housed, this is the latest avatar of Disney Staple of 1950s and 1960s. The house features innovative technologies which are not found in market for sale. The giant Microwave oven and television that hung on the one wall showcases how will be the future of our home and devices used in it.

Disney’s new house also showcases future technologies that are being built by Microsoft like Surface table computer and touch screen PCs. Each company paid Disney heavily to participate in the Disney’s Future Home for next five years.

According to Jonathan Cluts, director of strategic prototyping for Microsoft, The future home of Disneyland is not that future anymore. Anyone can go and purchase 80% of its item in the market and remaining are on their way to development. so, within next 4-5 years most items displayed in the Tomorrowland will be available for sale in the market and anyone with money in hand can invest in these items and built their own future Home.

Visitors in Disneyland can now play long with Elias family actors alongside mingling with Microsoft’s Surface computers and can even experience touch screen HP computers while working in its kitchen and home office. These all products have a sense of innovative technology and with aggressive production from their manufactures you can see them within your home in next few years.

The charismatic Microsoft chief must have taken his retirement from the company after a 33-year stint; however, Bill Gates has left behind a legacy, which is incomparable and can hardly be challenged. The legacy is of course of the foresightedness, which enabled him and his team to think ahead of time. And Microsoft Surface is one such technological wonder which is slowing and steadily taking the world by storm.

Since the first commercial purchase of MS Surface by telecommunications giant AT&T for its retail stores and a high profile debut in a casino bar in Las Vegas, Microsoft Surface is fast picking up demand. One such deal, which is making news, is Paccar Inc., the maker of Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks.

Although its decision to sign up to use Microsoft’s Surface computers raised quite some eyebrows about the presumption to use ‘tabletop Surface computers in trucks!’; the company later clarified that the Surface computers are not to be used in trucks but to be used by Paccar customers, to order automobile parts at the Paccar dealership offices.

However, the company is yet to make any formal announcement about the new technological implementation. Internal company reports suggests that those present at the Paccar’s annual meeting in Bellevue had the privilege to witness the personalized Microsoft Surface computer with a specialized application for ordering truck parts.
The important features of the customized tabletop computer were that, customers can log in just by laying down an account card. The account card on being recognized by the computer will allow the user (customer) to view virtual brochures and videos, and even place an order to make purchases by dragging icons into a shopping cart.
Microsoft Surface has also found an avid admirer in Democratic National Convention (DNC). It has named Microsoft Corp. as the official provider of software and Web content for the 2008 event to be held on August 25-28, 2008 in Denver. Democratic National Convention Committee, confirming the reports has acknowledged its pleasure to tie up with the technology giant.
Besides the dozen technologies and applications, DNC is hiring from Microsoft for an undisclosed amount, the all-new Microsoft Surface tabletop computer will also make its presence felt in the Convention while enabling users with interactive real life experiences in a virtual world. Moreover, DNC also has plans to rope in Microsoft’s Zune portable music players to deliver media content to convention participants. So wait and watch, while MS Surface breaks all barriers.

The planned international business center at Songdo IBD or the New Songdo City is developed on 1,500 acres of land along the coast of Incheon, 40 miles south of the capital city of Seoul. This is part of the many booming projects in the Incheon Free Economic Zone, which is witness to rapid growth in terms of real estate. It is believed that this project will bring technological renaissance and prosperity for the citizens, businesses, and government of the forthcoming Songdo International Business District in South Korea.

The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority commissioner, Mr. Heon-Seok Lee is highly appreciative to have Microsoft as its technology partner in its bid to develop Songdo IBD, a technology-enabled city. He is confident that Microsoft Corporation will help transcend the lesser-known city of Songdo IBD into the global map, for attracting corresponding investment and business opportunities.

And Microsoft is all set to implement its cutting edge technology in the USD 35 billion project in collaboration with Gale International. In a recent development, Microsoft and the Korean Government have plans to implement Windows Mobile and Microsoft Citizen Service Platform to provide the city with a common interface for connecting to government services.

While Windows Mobile as a compact operating system combined with a suite of basic applications for mobile devices will help in connecting the population of Songdo IBD; the Microsoft Citizen Service Platform can be prove to a major technological asset for Songdo IBD. This pioneering package of Microsoft Citizen Service Platform is designed to help government agencies in Songdo IBD, build and install modern solutions based upon standard Microsoft Products to be delivered to citizens more responsively via the internet.

In a keynote address to the Government Leaders Forum—Asia in Jakarta, Indonesia, the then Microsoft CEO Bill Gates expressed his company’s interest in developing the technological infrastructure of a new city like Songdo IBD. He referred to it as a rare opportunity indeed; to design and create an ideal technological infrastructure, with due access to digital capabilities and experiences; to bring a difference in people’s lives.

This new role of ‘Tech Advisor’ on the part of Microsoft for CSI had also earlier witnessed many successes. CSI has successfully implemented Microsoft’s Surface technology earlier in the script CSI: Miami; where the audiovisual lab was reconstructed to incorporate layout tables based on Microsoft’s Surface tabletop computers.
And this unique collaboration is sure to create history in terms of mutual respect and business advantage. And the most intrinsic part of this association is that, no money has been exchanged in the Microsoft-CSI relationship. This of course goes beyond the traditional product assignment and Microsoft is hopeful that this sizzling chemistry and unique collaboration will be first of many impending alliances of the future.