The Surface scene in “The Island”

The following information was sourced from an unreliable source. It’s accuracy has now been discredited. It appears it was not a Surface computer that was used during the production of “The Island”, and in fact most of the credit should go to Mark Coleran and others. An update is provided here.

A few days ago I wrote about how Microsoft’s Surface computer was ambiguously but impressively showcased in the science-fiction movie, “The Island” of 2005. Today, someone was generous enough to watch the movie again, cut out the segment with the Surface and share it with me. So here it is.

Microsoft SurfaceWhat’s interesting now that my memory has been refreshed is that the desk is not like the Surface at all. It isn’t a solid object. It has only has a surface (no pun intended) and 4 legs, unlike the square box the Microsoft device is. I assume those are digital enhancements to provide a better looking concept instead of a big clunky box, but it is technologically far more superior than what we have today. So in terms of form, the Surface still has a lot of work to do.

Also, you’d notice to control applications on the desk, a diamond glass object is used instead of the hand. This is an interesting insight into what might be the ‘mouse’ for the Surface. The hand alone may not be sufficient to control all aspects of such a complex interface like this, so one ‘control’ object could be used to signify ‘system controls’ instead of just manipulating objects with fingers.

In retrospect, it is fascinating to observe predictions about the future made in 2005 can be realized just 2 years later – 12 years ahead of the 2019 timeline of the movie.

The above information was sourced from an unreliable source. It’s accuracy has now been discredited. It appears it was not a Surface computer that was used during the production of “The Island”, and in fact most of the credit should go to Mark Coleran and others. An update is provided here.

5 insightful thoughts

  1. I only want to know if YouTube will be sued for that piracy clip from The Island. Or istartedsomething.com for showing it as embedded on the blog 🙂

    Further on, that is one hell of a desk 😀 Gimme gimme gimme

  2. I wonder why there are 2 diferent pens, one he uses to write and the other one when the drawing is finished.

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