So what you see here is exactly what AT&T and Microsoft will be deploying to a handful of stores on April 17 -- 12 stores in four cities, to be exact -- and we have to admit, this appears to be a pretty flawless execution of the Surface's user interface concepts and a great business model for the 30 inch, multitouch monster to undertake. Being able to throw down a phone or two and get specs, review plans, and compare features is simply jaw-droppingly cool, though what really got us was another feature that AT&T has apparently been tossing around as a future possibility: device-to-device transfer. The idea is that a customer would walk in to purchase a new phone, place both phones on the surface, and contacts, photos, music, and so on stored on the old handset would appear on the Surface, where they could be selectively dragged to the new one or discarded. Even better, you have the exciting opportunity to pick up the last user's norovirus as you run your hand along the thing. One suggestion, AT&T: keep some bleach handy. Please. For our sake. Follow the break for the video!
And my store will be getting one of these the day after never. They will ship one to us once they figure out a mind interface and the table is obsolete.
Anyway, this looks awesome, I think this has great potential.
great idea, but it doesn't look in depth enough for people like me who want to know true specifics, like what kind of bluetooth version it has, whether or not it has A2DP, battery size, stuff like that. But of course I understand why they wouldn't make it that way, and that's because the average person doesn't understand any of that. They should make one for people like me.
I just went to an AT&T store today in Atlanta that has these. It's pretty cool, and actually does give a lot of details. What first pops up is a pretty brief overview, but every note (they show up like post-it size notes!) has a more button, so you can get more details if you want it. I don't remember if it specifically says A2DP, but it does say Stereo Bluetooth. It gives battery life, physical dimensions, etc, not sure if it gives exact battery size (but of course, every phone has its own type of battery anyway). The only qualm I had with them is that they're limited to 8 phones, and if you want info on one of the 8 phones not on the table, you're out of luck. Therefore, I don't think I could place my existing phone on the table and compare it to the new phones. (though I didn't try this, I should have! Maybe this'll be a future enhancement if it doesn't do it now?) And as for the cords, they don't retract, so it doesn't pull the phone back in.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
NoLimitz80 @ Apr 2nd 2008 6:33PM
That is freaking awesome!
allenvanhellen @ Apr 2nd 2008 6:51PM
In-store device-to-device transfer where "photos... would appear on the Surface"? No thanks!
Matt @ Apr 2nd 2008 6:51PM
Nice... I love that AT&T is now making it easier than ever for potential customers to learn why NOT to join with them... lol
slamEVIL @ Apr 2nd 2008 7:21PM
did you guys notice when it's done playing that t-mob has the same thing? their gui looks like shit though and not as user-friendly.
Jason Peterson @ Apr 2nd 2008 7:21PM
And my store will be getting one of these the day after never. They will ship one to us once they figure out a mind interface and the table is obsolete.
Anyway, this looks awesome, I think this has great potential.
Ahmed Eltawil @ Apr 2nd 2008 7:26PM
http://ahmedeltawil.spaces.live.com
I wonder how long will it take to see the Microsoft Surface in Canada...
Farwest @ Apr 2nd 2008 8:12PM
Ok... So i have a question/insight. Um... How exactly do we keep the device on the table if it is attached to a retracting security cord?
Doug @ Apr 2nd 2008 11:37PM
great idea, but it doesn't look in depth enough for people like me who want to know true specifics, like what kind of bluetooth version it has, whether or not it has A2DP, battery size, stuff like that. But of course I understand why they wouldn't make it that way, and that's because the average person doesn't understand any of that. They should make one for people like me.
NexX @ Apr 10th 2008 3:49PM
Umm... There's no video...
Nathan Kohloff @ Apr 16th 2008 12:20PM
What do you mean Doug?....Morons?....Stop underestimating yourself and open your mind.
bjg222 @ Apr 23rd 2008 7:09PM
I just went to an AT&T store today in Atlanta that has these. It's pretty cool, and actually does give a lot of details. What first pops up is a pretty brief overview, but every note (they show up like post-it size notes!) has a more button, so you can get more details if you want it. I don't remember if it specifically says A2DP, but it does say Stereo Bluetooth. It gives battery life, physical dimensions, etc, not sure if it gives exact battery size (but of course, every phone has its own type of battery anyway). The only qualm I had with them is that they're limited to 8 phones, and if you want info on one of the 8 phones not on the table, you're out of luck. Therefore, I don't think I could place my existing phone on the table and compare it to the new phones. (though I didn't try this, I should have! Maybe this'll be a future enhancement if it doesn't do it now?) And as for the cords, they don't retract, so it doesn't pull the phone back in.