Osterville (MA) - Savant Systems, a Massachusetts-based electronics manufacturer specializing in home automation, has unveiled a new coffee table that looks a lot like Microsoft's concept Surface technology.

The "Rosie Coffee Table" integrates a 40-inch wide touch screen panel with the ability to tap into iTunes libraries, IP network digital cameras, and business card readers from the graphical user interface (GUI).



It's very similar to Microsoft Surface, a technology that was unveiled earlier this year.  Microsoft, however, has dedicated the platform initially to professional customers.  The software giant's favorite example seems to be installing systems in bars or restaurants, where users could order and pay for their food from the touch-screen panel.  Savant's aim is more toward individual homeowners.

Savant's other products include massive multi-room audio/video control sets and plasma HDTV monitors with built-in IP connectivity features.

The new digital coffee table would simply translate much of the company's existing technologies to a wider, more accessible panel built into a wooden table.  According to Savant, the coffee table will be available "in a number of different furniture styles ranging from contemporary to traditional."

SAVANT AV

Sep 04, 2007 17:07     

all great news, but Savant is a newcomer to the Home Automation market and hasn't actually deployed any systems into mainstream production. they are expected to do great things, just wanted to point that out though... they are still a venture until they make that transition into selling a real product.
tom report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

for everyone

Sep 04, 2007 19:16     

This should be fore everyone.
Diamond Dave report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Sounds as if this whole idea may fizzle...

Sep 04, 2007 20:53     

I've read about a dozen different companies from MS, to Apple, to little start ups working on basically all the same thing. This usually means that the technology will end up being very cheezy and useless for anything really helpful for a very long time until the harsh competition dies down and real innovation is allowed to enter the sales brochures. Sad.
Narg report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

It looks ...

Sep 05, 2007 01:03     

... like Bob.
Crafty Spiker report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

how much?

Sep 05, 2007 04:06     

probobly costs as much as a Mig fighter from the soviet union just after the collapse. Heck make your own, the display is the expensive part, the rest is just hardware, wood, and an O/S ;)
mike report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

There is a difference

Sep 05, 2007 07:26     

Mike: "probably costs as much as a Mig fighter from the soviet union just after the collapse. Heck make your own, the display is the expensive part, the rest is just hardware, wood, and an O/S ;)" This is exactly what will differentiate the real players. The M$ solution is more than a computer stuffed under a table. It interacts with devices (e.g. camera, phone, credit card, etc) that are placed upon it, making the user experience much easier what you are limited with today's input devices. As Narg stated, the market will become flooded with basic computers turned sideways; confusing the consumer. There will be those that go beyond and add real value.

scader report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

I can think of at least...

Sep 05, 2007 07:34     

2000000000 better things to do with a 40" HDTV LCD panel. Really, u want people to put their coffee mugs and all kinds of crap on your panel - even if it has a thick glass coating for protection, it can easily scratch. I'd be a nervous wreck each time anyone wants to use my coffee table as a --> COFFEE table. What are these people thinking. Can you just step back for one second (meter?) and imagine the picture of 4 people sitting around a "coffee" table - all of them looking down....

wow report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Microsoft Wasn't First on this!

Sep 11, 2007 20:55     

Microsoft didn't invent this. I first saw this application of touch technology at an Apple demonstration about 2 years ago. Apple didn't invent it either. There are a dozen different companies working on the SAME THING right now. Nobody knows who was the first either, and no patents have yet to be issued for it. I'm getting tired of the crap about this idea.
Narg report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

NarG

Sep 12, 2007 21:40     

actually MS startes this concept in 01 and has finally decided to release it.
ZaCh report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

LOL - it looks...

Sep 12, 2007 22:27     

"it looks like bob" LMAO that is the funniest thing i saw all day
Scott report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0