surface
CES 2011: Surface 2.0 makes appearance at CES
AshMan says…
At the special Microsoft Press Conference held before CES, one of the things shown off to the crowd was Surface 2.0.
In case you don’t know what Surface is, just think of a big touch screen sitting in your coffee table. It can handle hundred of touch points, recognise fingers as well as being able to interact with objects which you place on the screen.
Surface 2.0 is an evolution of that, featuring a new pixel sense technology which enables it to not just identify finger tips but your entire hand. You are also able to scan items into the software, by simply sitting the item on the screen. The hardware has been developed with Samsung and features a AMD CPU/GPU combo. It is physically a lot smaller, with the unit only being 4 inches thick.
Today, when Microsoft showed off it’s new “Surface 2.0″ device, it was a mountable interactive LCD screen, with the “largest piece of gorilla glass in any device” according to CrunchGear, who say that “You can drop a beer bottle on this this from 18 inches without making so much as a dent.” Every pixel in the new Surface device is a sensor, using a technology called “Pixel Sense” which allows the device to “see” things, though Microsoft isn’t letting on how that works yet.
With the original Surface unit priced at $25,000, it was unreachable to most however Microsoft have said that Surface 2.0 will be cheaper…
SmackDown 2010… it’s a wrap!!!
Over 300 attendees were hosted in the QUT Gardens Point, Brisbane auditorium where they were entranced by keynote addresses and interactive demonstrations from:
- Michael Kordahi – Future of Computing,
- Jorke Odolphi – Windows Phone 7 and Developing Across Xbox 360, Windows Phone 7 and PC,
- Ashley Perkins – Imagine Cup and Dreamspark, and
- Adam Pollington – Xbox 360 Kinect.
Sponsors including Microsoft and Plantronics contributed to an awesome prize pool of over $3600 that saw some extremely fortunate attendees leave with everything from an Xbox 360 S to new release games, Office 2010 Professional software, keyboards and the most amazing GameCom headsets.
Free pizza and refreshments rounded out the afternoon of course!
The brainchild of Microsoft Student Partner and QUT student Ashley Perkins, the event was the culmination of many months of planning to bring the world of technology closer to students of school and university age in a fun setting and its inaugural success has everyone asking for more in the future!
Some posted feedback includes:
Jmintouch33: @ashmansays great presenters – amazing insights. Thanks from our jpc group. Enjoyed #smackdown2010 . We will be back next year! Congrats
Alegrya: Great fun time had at #SmackDown2010 today! Huge thanks to @AshManSays for organising such a top event
MrsAngell: Thanks @AshManSays for a fantastic time and lots of prizes at #smackdown2010
On3thousandwords: @ashmansays – #Kinect <b>IS</b> awesome #SmackDown2010 ^_^
Alegrya: 100m versus sprint on Kinect, hilarious #SmackDown2010
Themolk: Kinect Sports demo WIN! #SmackDown2010
Kiayyy: #smackdown2010 I love kinect
RSTrends: DreamSpark is pretty good, very good for dev. #smackdown2010
jackmarrows: I want to enter the imagine cup. Looks fun. #smackdown2010
jackmarrows: Wow visual studio takes the coding out of coding an app for windows 7 phone. 10 lines of code. Uses C# #smackdown2010
Cameron Parrish: QUT Smackdown 2010 with Ashley Perkins was ridiculous fun! it should be an annual event!
SmackDown 2010… it’s a wrap!!!
Below is a video compilation of SmackDown 2010:
Announcing SmackDown Speaker – Michael Kordahi
AshMan says…
I am extremely excited to announce one of the speakers which will be talking to students at SmackDown – Supported by Microsoft. He is Michael Kordahi!
So who is Michael Kordahi (aka. Delicate Genius)?
Michael Kordahi is a Developer Evangelist for Microsoft Australia. He has a strong background in web development and now focuses on working with passionate early adopters of Microsoft’s emerging web technologies.
Michael blogs regularly on his blog at delicategenius.com as well as keeping the twitterverse updated on his twitter at @delic8genius.
One of his recent talks can be seen below, as a preview for this great guy!
So if you haven’t registered already for SmackDown – Supported by Microsoft on Wednesday the 27th of October 12pm @ QUT Gardens Points make sure you head over to smakdown2010.eventbrite.com!
It’s almost here! SmackDown – Support by Microsoft
AshMan says…
SmackDown – Supported by Microsoft is creeping closer and if you haven’t registered for this FREE event, you are going to miss out!
If you need convincing to come to SmackDown here are a few reasons why you should come:
- See the latest technology from Microsoft including Kinect for Xbox 360!
- Find out how you can develop apps yourself using professional developer software for FREE as a student!
- See awesome Microsoft Developer Staff present!
- FREE FOOD!
- AWESOME PRIZES!
So if you’re into awesome tech, developing, free food and awesome prizes (any mix acceptable!) well this is your event!
- When? Wednesday 27th October 2010 12pm – 2pm
- Where? QUT Gardens Point Z Block Room 411
- Cost? FREE
Registering for this free event is essential, so visit smackdown2010.eventbrite.com to register!
See you there!
SmackDown – Supported by Microsoft
AshMan says…
The big announcement is here! Smackdown is coming to QUT for QUT Science and Technology Students and School Children!
SmackDown is an event to see and interact with the latest technology from Microsoft, learn how to use tools which are free for students to create awesome software and finally to win some awesome prizes and free food!
SmackDown will be held on the 27th of October from 12pm – 2pm at QUT Gardens Point with food being provided after. I highly recommend you bring your smartphone, with Twitter, Facebook and the ability to text!
Registration is essential and you can do that here: http://smackdown2010.eventbrite.com/
Microsoft ‘Courier’ device unveiled
AshMan says…
Whilst the rumor mill is working hard around the Apple tablet device, Microsoft has been working hard on one of their own.
At the moment it’s called the ‘Courier’ and is in the “late prototype” stage. The device itself features dual 7-inch screens which are multitouch, perfect for writing, flicking and drawing with a stylus and your fingers.
Microsoft 'Courier' Source: Gizmodo
Originally the device was top secret which was only known to a few engineers and executives.
They are currectly collaborating with another firm called Pioneer Studios, who have put together the video. This demo gives a look around the device and what it can do.
The heritage of Microsft revolves around very much with “digital ink” and this interface is unlike anything else. Ideas from both the Surface and Zune HD can be seen.
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