Gonna RUB MYSELF against the WALL: Microsoft's Surface Hub 84" monster-slab

There are plenty of large touchscreens.......

available. Just add a computer and software. There are also add on touch screens for existing TV's or monitors to make them into "whiteboards".

The real test will be how they integrate all the parts in the Microsoft Surface Hub. Will it have Kinect support too? 3D? That would help some modeling and engineering applications. There is a lot of value in a complete package considering that some software could be more than the cost of the Surface.

Not really

it will be a rarified audience that latches onto Surface Hub

I am afraid to disappoint you but that price bracket is the price of a run off the mill HD teleconferencing suite which can do much less than this.

The more interesting part here is software. The teleconferencing part I can see MSFT handling - they already have Skype (for business and normal) and Lync so they can handle that. Whiteboarding and integration of whiteboarding to teleconference they have been able to handle for ages so that is a given. The most interesting part however is on the second promotional photo - 3D modelling. If they can handle that _REMOTELY_ and provide effective collaboration around that with integration to well known CAD and visualization packages they will have full order book at this price and then some.

Patented

I'm sorry to tell Microsoft this, but Apple have already patented this device, in 2017.

I'm going to start selling ...

... massive screen wipes!

Not even new...but you youngsters wouldn't remember

This is the old Perceptive Pixel display unit, nearly bought one in early 2014. They (PP) were absorbed in 2013 if memory serves.

Good to see they have interns doing the images

Now we want key elements in the frame, doesn't mater if the perspectives are messed up of the lighting screwed just make sure you have equal men women, one bit grey haired, usual list, black asian etc, if you want to really push boundaries have something a bit edgy like ginger hair, oh and sorry for the late request can you pop an Indian in there? doesn't have to be a physical can be just be on the screen.

I want to see a crane outside even though it will hint that the office is floating fifty feet over a warf, that's fine, nobody looking at this with be thinking critically.

On and on the naming, we have surface so this must something a bit grander, Mesa? Plateau? along those lines.

Oh and one last thing my son has asked for this, can you have one of the people pointing at something green coloured that looks like it came from cardif (Wales UK) docks? a bet with a European he met on Minecraft, doesn't beleive his parents work at MS, bogey boat I think he said.

I currently use and supply the Phillips 65" capacitive multitouch units with 20 point touch for £2200 no lag or IR, bang on a decent spec PC with windows 8 for a £1000 job done.

Appreciate this is 80 odd inches but still.

...And after all......

@elreg - they'll be missing a big trick if they don't use that song in the marketing!

Errmm...

I do some work as an adjunct professor at a local community college. (And it's a damn good thing that I don't depend on that kind of thing for a living, as the pay is truly pitiful) We have numerous 'smartboard' thingies in multiple classrooms, and they cost a whole lot more than a mere $20k. And they require projectors which do... interesting... things, and their touch technology seems to be based on 1984 HP stuff (except that HP actually got most stuff right in 1984). If this thing is for real, there's a _big_ market for it in higher education.

Alternatively

Bog standard projector, smart pens with Zigbee or other suitable protocol, and piezo electric sensors clipped to each corner of the screen to detect touch by vibration (plugged into a small ARM powered box). Cost - $500 max?

I need this for ... personal reasons

add a robotic holder arm attached to ceiling to hold this thing, that can move it from touch range to tv range