Microsoft announced User Interface Design GmbH (UID) is the winner of its "Touch First Developer Challenge", a Microsoft Surface design contest announced a while back and judged at the PDC 2009.The UID application is an example of more display-ware which showcases UID's services as well as their design prowess. They have some really nice interactions and the aesthetics are excellent. Nice work guys.
In terms of showcasing their core competencies, multi-touch design, its an excellent application. In terms for providing anything other than a showcase of their work there's not much to see. While I really like their design I wish an application with more utility was chosen as a winner, but that's simply a reflection of my own person preference for applications that have real-world utility as apposed to display-ware.
It seems to me that there are very few real-world scenarios in which the Microsoft Surface makes a lot of sense. A variety of factors contribute to this: First and foremost, the form factor. A coffee table form factor is only appropriate for display-ware and home entertainment. Home entertainment is an interesting area, but given the Surface's high price its not going to see much traction in that market.
To make large horizontal multi-touch surfaces really useful they need to be higher and provide leg room so people can sit in a chair or on a stool and use them comfortably. There is only so much bending over from the couch a person is willing to endure. In addition, the price point needs to come down a lot. I've been pretty disappointed so far in the market for these devices both in terms of form factor and price points. Not just Surface, but all of the multi-touch tables available today.
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