“In the World of Ever Changing Innovations”
You may be asking, “What is a smart coffee table?” Is this smart coffee table something for the average home? Well do you remember the day when the microwave oven was revealed? It was something no one would have ever dreamed would be in just about every household in America. Microsoft has unveiled the new computer system in form of a coffee table and it is called, Surface.
The Surface coffee table has a thirty inch screen which allows interaction with the user or users. The touch screen is not anything new, may devices today have them. What makes this different is the innovations of the cameras that are build in it to observe and read the actions of the users. These cameras make it possible to use your fingers to interact, work and manipulate things on its screen. The cost now for such a coffee table is between $5000 and $10,000 and is not something the average homeowner would be able to afford. It has made its first appearance in stores and hotels.
These smart coffee tables are being used in restaurants where customers can order their meals, add the tip and pay the bill without ever leaving the table. Groups can divide the bill among each other by laying down their cards and dragging their menu items over to it. It is amazing!
Some of the applications that you will be able to do on these smart coffee tables are: Music – By placing your music device on the table you can drag music into it. Lay down your credit card and you can buy music from online and drag and drop your selections right to your music device. Virtual Concierge – A self-explanatory guide that can handle special request such as where to go for dinner at the latest hot spot, what is going on in your town, a tour of the city or other topics of interest. Puzzles – Not an ordinary puzzle either. These puzzles are actual pieces of glass with live videos playing on them. Water screensaver – This screensaver becomes 3-D when you place your hand in the water and it makes ripples. Painting – A simple paint program that can read the pressure of the hand and judges the size in the fingertips. Then after all these you can still use the surface for other practical uses. The coffee table surface is made with a hard durable screen where you can still place plates and glasses on it.
Today these coffee tables are not affordable for the average home but one day they will be. Styles will change and sleek designs will be common place. It is not too far fetch to think that one day these coffee tables with be in almost all homes just as the microwaves are today.