Apple has thrown down the gauntlet to HTC today, filing a lawsuit claiming that the company is infringing on 20 of its patents, including the iPhone's user interface, hardware, and pretty much anything pertaining to its multitouch technology. It wasn't too long ago that Apple itself was involved in a legal battle regarding multitouch — only that time, another company claimed Apple was the one doing the infringing. However, Steve Jobs isn't letting HTC slide on this case. He says:
"We can sit by and watch competitors steal our patented inventions, or we can do something about it. We've decided to do something about it. We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours."
If Apple does win this case, it could mean that Google's new Nexus One (along with other Android handsets) would be pulled from the shelves, and the only new innovations in multitouch technology would be coming from Apple's camp in Cupertino.
If you don't know who Jeff Han is by now, then listen up! Named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2008, Jeff is on a mission to change your relationship with your computer — in a very good way. Jeff was one of the guest speakers at this year's keynote address at the NVISION 08 Conference in San Jose, CA, and spent some time showing off his uber-cool touch screen technology to the audience.
Originally unveiling his work back in 2007, Jeff is the founder of Perceptive Pixel and has been a trailblazer in multi-touch technology with clients ranging from the CIA to CNN. His work with touch technology has produced something totally reminiscent of that scene in Minority Report where Tom Cruise is fiddling around in midair on his holographic computer screen! Check out the video above. It's about three minutes long, but totally worth it!
I'm definitely excited to play with the Microsoft Surface, and I think it's a great idea that AT&T is using it to feature phones. I remember when they announced the Surface and everyone kind of balked about the price (10,000 bones), especially considering the ads and videos on the website that depict regular people using it for pictures and art.
Otherwise, the price and functionality make sense as a commercial product for AT&T and the Starwood Hotel chain, but are any regular people going to buy this thing for personal use when a consumer version is released in 2010? Even rich people? Tell me, if money weren't an object, would you buy a Microsoft Surface?
Looks like Microsoft's high-tech interactive touch table won't be making its debut in Starwood hotels this Spring, but it will be available for the public to play with on April 17 in AT&T stores. According to Engadget, these $10,000 tables will initially be installed in NYC, San Francisco, Atlanta, and San Antonio AT&T stores.
AT&T is hoping that the tables will educate customers about all the handsets for sale (info about the phone is displayed when set on the table), and they'll also be able to purchase ringtones, graphics and videos directly from the table and drag them on their phones. Now that is something I can't wait to test out!
One of the most popular exhibits at CES this year was definitely the Microsoft Surface— a multi-touch interactive surface computer that is full of amazing features. Crave reports that the Surface was making its rounds at Caesars Pure Nightclub, with celebs like Jason Alexander and Shannon Elizabeth checking out its high tech functionality.
Set to be released by commercial partners like Starwood hotels this Spring, the Surface is already gaining lots of momentum. Not only is it receiving celebrity attention, but Firefly, the first game for Microsoft Surface has just been announced. By utilizing multi-touch, up to four players can collect colorful insects and put them into glass jars. The object is to be the first player to collect three fireflies of each color, while preventing opponents from doing the same.
To see players having some Firefly fun on the Microsoft Surface, as well as see a funny Surface video, read more
Thanks to Amadeo for sharing today's fun, humorous and innovative "How To" video with me. If you've ever drooled over an amazing Multi-Touch device and felt a little pain when you realized they aren't easily accessible, cheer up! You can create your own multi-touch pad with just a plastic bag, some dyed water and a camera (plus a computer of course). I'd say this one is a cross between our usual "How To" guides and a more involved Do It Yourself project, but it's fun nonetheless. Microsoft Surface watch out!
The dyeSight $2 Multi-Touch Pad was created by the people from Medallia.
