Interaction design

Some time ago we wrote about the coffee table of Microsoft; Microsoft surface. It showed what kind of technology it is and what you can do with it. They chose for exchanging and sorting pictures from different phones. It was clear several companies were interested, including casino’s, hotels and T-mobile. AT&T earned the scoop and is the first who is actually using the product.

AT&T

Especially for a company like AT&T who sells cell phones the product has some nice ‘selling’ advantages. It has left the state of a prototype and transformed from image sorter / viewer to an interactive information tool. They can put one of their phones on it to show what the features or price plans for that phone are.

Although the video has a lot of marketing in it, the video does show the advantages of the multi touchscreen. I am only wondering if the phones they are selling match the rich interface of the Microsoft surface. I guess only the Iphone gets close, we have to wait a bit longer for other brands

Interaction

From an interaction point of view it is interesting since it is more direct and physical. But you do know which gestures you have to make to operate the table. I did not see a first screen explaining or showing what users can do. And does the screen give you some sort of control? You probably do not have a ‘go back’ or ‘undo’ button. Sales employees can train and learn, but regular costumers should be able to play with it as well. It would be said to see a paper or manual hanging next to it to explain how the machine works.

The icons on the screen seem a bit small for people with a slight eye distortion. Why not put the text fully next to the icons? A well, I would like to check them out myself but it is probably going to take some time before these devices are here as well.

For more information lookat Microsoft surface and Engadget