Scrawled in Wax

I have a weird thing for interfaces – I just love it when something works seamlessly and intuitively. But beyond that, interfaces are the meeting point of user and technology, the line at which the human capacity for creativity and technology’s capacity for creating new modes and forms meet. As such, I think new interfaces don’t just allow for new levels of efficiency, they simply allow for ‘new things’. And while I am still completely in awe of the iPhone’s multi-touch screen, particularly in light of the new commercials, I think it only represents the tip of the iceberg, particularly when compared to Microsoft’s new Surface project.

The difference, I think, lies in the confluence of the technology in use and the aim of that technology. The iPhone aims to simplify and streamline the experience of a multimedia media phone with its touchscreen interface, allowing one to cleanly move back and forth between video, music, photos and communication. With Microsoft’s Surface, however, the use of infrared cameras to detect movement on the tabletop screen aims to replicate how we are accustomed to dealing with physical objects. To wit, Surface challenges what technology can do, rather than making what it does already more efficient. Paradoxically then, in becoming more invisible through making technology mimic pre-technological habits and behaviours, tech has become infinitely more sophisticated and conducive to creativity.

Anyway, there’s only so much words can do here – check out the video below. It’ll, like, totally blow your mind and stuff.