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Microsoft Surface: New Territory or a Giant iPhone Touch Screen?

Besides saying that they now see Google as their chief competitor, Microsoft announced that they will soon launch Surface, kind of a table-sized iPhone touch screen with e-commerce capabilities, according to the Surface demo. Hugh Macleod had live coverage of the conference, and Steve Ballmer's (god I love that vdeo!) speech on Twitter.

Surface looks very cool, and is set to launch at hotels and businesses, with a home model not far behind. Gizmodo says Microsoft Surface's final price is still undecided, "but it looks like somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000 will get you one of these to use in your business."

Microsoft has always lacked Apple's coolness factor and marketing acumen. And without that, it remains to be seen whether businesses will be ready to shell out tens of thousands of dollars for something gimmicky that could be old hat before you can say "Apple innovation."

Categories: Business Communications

BL Ochman | Oct 2 07 3:45 | TrackBack (0)

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Do you think they're really trying to compete with Apple here? Microsoft's Surface project has been going on for a while now and seems to be more of a lifestyle changing technology, rather than one geared solely to media and communication. Much like Windows, it seems that Microsoft wants to introduce a concept that will be at the center of everyone's life in years to come - the next wave of essential technology after the desktop computer.

I agree that the touch technology may be similar, but the features don't necessarily govern the product's intended utility - one that is very different than Apple's. I'm not sure if you can liken the companies here. On other hand, Zune presents a different (and very sad) story.

Posted by: Kevin S. Rollag at October 3, 2007 9:54 AM

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About BL Ochman

Blogger, social media strategy consultant to Fortune 500 companies, and sought-after corporate speaker B.L. Ochman heads the creative team of whatsnextonline.com. She also publishes the Ethics Crisis blog for SRF Global Translations

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