As for the experience itself, it looks fantastic, and is almost on a natural level, in that anyone can just come by, without instructions, and know just how to use it. At most, tactile response could be improved, but otherwise, just fantastic!

silverlight and WPF are really great for web applications. Yes, even WPF.
javascript, html5, and CSS3 really suck in term of features and performance when you compare them to silverlight or WPF. (yes I know Silverlight is not a web standard, but being a web standard doesn’t make html/css/jscript suck less!)

I’m using WPF to build a web application that allows a user to explore his Windows Mobile device content from his web browser:

http://www.julien-manici.com/windows_mobile_wifi_remote_access/

So far, users really like this kind of hardware accelerated 3d user interface! This really changes from the boring html pages. And for people who can’t use WPF, there is still a classic html interface.

As for the experience itself, it looks fantastic, and is almost on a natural level, in that anyone can just come by, without instructions, and know just how to use it. At most, tactile response could be improved, but otherwise, just fantastic!

@Fred: “…much richer and snappier frameworks available.”
Please DO tell me which richer frameworks are those?

I hope you don’t say stuff like flash – which is also written in javascript Also you do realize that technology has nothing to do with it – it’s the programming?

@P. Douglas: In that video it does look a little snappier.

How exactly does the interfacace look slow to you? Maybe you should watch the video with the HD option (to the right of the video) set to off. Also this (http://vimeo.com/4669189) Razorfashion video highlights better just how snappy is the interface.

Tom,

At most retail stores, salespeople barely know about the products in the store. So you are better off looking at and comparing products yourself – which the above application allows you to do very well. Also the application allows you to see user reviews, which are invaluable in making good purchasing decisions. Also the vast majority of consumers do NOT do their homework before coming to stores. So the above software will be an invaluable resource to them. As for holding and playing with the real product, the above software doesn’t prevent this from happening: it just guides customers to the product most theoretically suitable for them. After playing with the product, customers can make their final decision.

I think the product is great. My only criticism is that I think the majority of these displays should be angled at 45 degrees or less (like drafting boards) in stores, to allow customers to use them in a prolonged fashion, and not have their arms become tired. Having the displays fully horizontal is the most comfortable position for customers. However angling them a bit allows the displays to also attract customers from afar, and act in some kind of promotion capacity.

Maybe if this company sticks with it they can create something better – but unlikely. I think breakthrough is going to come from someone like Google.