GeekSugar

Geek Shot: Microsoft's Home of the Future

GeekSugar — Tue, 03 May 2011 12:01:30 PDT

Located in Redmond, WA, Microsoft's Home of the Future isn't open to the public. It's a closed campus used for researchers testing concepts like the living Surface wall.

Fit Tip: Change Up the Surface You Run On

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 03:30:00 PDT

If your main form of cardio is running, it's important to mix up both the distance and pace you run at. FitSugar reader cmd0610 also reminded me that another thing you want to switch up is the surface you run on.

Since different surfaces are more forgiving than others, they offer different challenges to our muscles. If you can help it, I don't advise running often on rigid and stiff concrete because it offers no shock absorption to your joints, but I do recommend alternating between softer surfaces such as grass, dirt trails, a spongy track, treadmill, even asphalt (on the street, not on the sidewalk). Also alternate between flat and bumpy surfaces, and those that are uphill or downhill because they'll challenge your coordination, and help you become a more efficient runner.

Which Running Surface Do You Prefer?

FitSugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:00:00 PST

When it comes to walking or running, dirt trails are top on my list. I love that the surface is more forgiving on my joints, but I also love conquering the hills, and dodging rocks, sticks, and holes - it makes my workout feel like one huge obstacle course. I also prefer running in the woods because nothing compares to the tranquility of the trees. What about you?

Source

Microsoft's Surface Gets Touched, and Touched Some More

GeekSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:00:29 PDT

Yesterday we ventured out to the AT&T Experience stores in San Bruno, CA to check out Microsoft's Surface table, which is now appearing in four cities across the United States. Set to become available in all AT&T stores nationwide within the next few months, the Surface table is already bringing eyes and lots of hands to the four AT&T stores where it is located. Thankfully, we had our pick from six different tables and wasted no time experimenting with its interactive features.

The giant 30-inch plastic-covered display screen on the Surface (they swear it's spill and dance proof), is totally touch-friendly, as your fingertips can move objects around and expand windows. By placing two cell phones (we suggested they should up this total) on the table, customers can read the features from each phone and decide which one better suits their needs . . . without having to deal with a salesperson. My thoughts? Actually my exact words. . . ."It's cool, but it has the potential to be cooler."

To find out more about my up close and personal account with Microsoft's surface,

read more. What can the table, which costs between $5,000 to $10,000, do right now? Basically just compare specs on phones and zoom in on maps to see AT&T network coverage, but AT&T swears that more fun features are set to come, including: being able to add new ringtones to your phone and exchange photos by dragging and dropping them on the table. I'm more excited about what they'll be able to do once they make their way to the Harrah's hotel chain - which is said to be next on the list. When asked why the iPhone didn't make the cut to being one of the featured phones at the table? An AT&T rep said that stores already have designated "iPhone locations" and that they wanted to focus on some of their other popular phones that would benefit from being displayed on the Surface.

Would You Buy a Microsoft Surface?

GeekSugar — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 13:00:15 PDT

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?

Microsoft Surface Coming to AT&T April 17th

GeekSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:36:07 PDT

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!

The Microsoft Surface Gets Celeb Attention and First Game

GeekSugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 06:45:05 PST

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 The Sarcastic Gamer shows us just how neat Firefly really is: Thanks for sharing TeamSugar user CoralAmber!
And a funny Microsoft Surface parody I just had to include: Source

Microsoft's 'Surface' Table Explored

GeekSugar — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 08:00:39 PDT

While hanging out in Hollywood for the TCA press tour my gal BuzzSugar got a chance to get up close and personal with Microsoft's newly-announced 'Surface' table, which is a multi-touch table that aims to change the way we interact with digital content. Buzz reports that the device is going to be on display in Starwood Hotels, T-Mobile stores and some other places soon, but it's still several years from home use. Oh course, it has a hefty price tag of $10,000, so you better start saving up.

The table looks like a regular coffee table at first glance, but it has cameras and touch sensitivity (iPhone style, but bigger) and you can do everything from organize photos to watch videos to drag and drop music into your Zune (of course it’s the Zune ...Thanks, Microsoft).

For additional photos and some of the coolest applications Buzz witnessed, read more

In one application, called Video Puzzle, the guy played a video on the table, but all we saw was a blank, black screen. He then dropped several square pieces of clear lucite on the table, and the picture popped up playing through those pieces. You could arrange them however you wanted, with the idea that you would put them together like puzzle pieces to see the full picture.
In another, the guy demonstrated how you could use it to order drinks at a restaurant (when you put your drink down on the table, it drew a ring around it like a virtual coaster). He then pulled up a bill of food and drinks that had been ordered by two people. He then dragged the listing for each item toward one drink on the table or to the other, splitting the bill and showing each person their own total. One that they are using for Starwood Hotels is a music application that would let you find out what music was playing in the lobby. If you wanted to download that song, you could put your Zune down on the table, and it instantly recognizes it and its files, so you can drag and drop songs into it. If you put two Zunes on the table, you can share music between them by dragging and dropping. This is something they think can eventually be expanded to anything with an RFID tag.
Maybe the most immediately useful application is the one for T-Mobile. The scenario he set up was that you’re shopping for cell phones and want to be able to compare and contrast their features. You put phones on the Surface and it immediately recognizes them, creating side-by-side comparison cards of the phones. If you’ve chosen one and you want to buy a plan, you can scroll through a list of plans and pull up descriptive cards on each, which you can rotate so multiple people can see them (that’s a bad description, but he said, “So then you say, what do you think about this one, honey?” and mimicked turning the card at an angle to show someone who was looking over his shoulder.) If you choose your plan, you just draw and drop it into the phone, and the salesperson knows to come ring you up.

View 11 Photos ›

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Taking it To the Streets After Running On a Treadmill

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 10:15:00 PDT

It is that time of year when folks move their workouts outside since the weather is so dang nice. If you have been running indoors on a treadmilll and are looking to move your runs outside there are a few things to take into consideration.

The surface of the treadmill is more forgiving to your joints so suddenly shifting all your runs outside can be jarring to your ankles, knees and hips. Try just taking one run outside per week for 2 or 3 weeks. Then add one run outside every 2 weeks. If you are training for a road race it is really important to start planning ahead and hitting the streets.
Running outside will have to run against wind resistance and the elements, which in the summer means heat, which requires more energy to run at the same speed as on a treadmill.
Keeping your pace outside might feel really different since stride for stride, running on the road requires more energy output to propel your body forward since on a treadmill, you are keeping up with the treadmill as it moves under your feet. Plus, on a treadmill the machine keeps you running at a certain pace and now you will have to monitor your own pace. I suggest using a heart rate monitor to help you keep track of your heart rate and time.
The smooth, flat surface of a treadmill is very predictable. Running on roads or trails trains your neuromuscular system to deal with unpredictable terrain like hills, banked surfaces, trails and uneven surfaces. Chances are high you will be looking down much more when running outside, especially if you are trail running.

Have fun taking your running to the streets. Remember, when running outside you need to be more aware of your surroundings since people, dogs, bikes and cars might be out on the road or trail too.

Is Microsoft's New 'Surface' Table Old Tech?

GeekSugar — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 09:30:00 PDT

Wednesday's release of Microsoft's interactive multi-touch table "Surface," which uses cameras to sense objects, hand gestures and touch, made a significant splash with drolling techies but some are scoffing at the device technology for being less than "new." Case in point: When YumSugar went home to her fiancé Wednesday and asked him if he had seen the Surface table he said, (presumably in a sarcastic Napoleon Dynamite voice) "Yeah, I liked it a lot when I saw it two years ago." Ever the knowing geek, he forwarded me Jeff Han's presentation of the futuristic multi-touch interface in 2006. Han is a research scientist for NYU's Media Research Lab, and the inventor of an "interface-free" touch-driven computer screen.

Touch screens are no longer a thing of the future and devices like the iPhone and Prada phone have put them in the hands of your average consumer, but it does seem like the Surface table's technology is more of a thing of the past than the future.