Microsoft Next-Gen Tablet PC Video Demo

Microsoft have received a lot of criticism for their Tablet PC "obsession" over the past few years, but they're still not giving up.  Craig Mundie, chief research and strategy officer, is visiting college campuses this week with the company's latest touchscreen prototype: showing new, better-integrated versions of long-standing apps such as OneNote, together with a timeline-based search utility and a new super-accurate touchscreen requiring no special stylus.Check out the demo video after the cut

Although the demo video (below, hosted by Microsoft's Jonathan Cluts) shows the new technology in an academic setting, it's obvious how it could be translated to a business (or even medical or other vertical sector) environment.  Cluts reveals that Microsoft envisage Tablet PCs including both local and cloud-based software, blurring the distinction between the device as standalone and emphasizing its role as a 'mobile companion'.

The 3D Gray's Anatomy textbook is particularly nifty, and while I'm not sure it would encourage any extra study sessions it might make students pay more attention in class.  The question remains – when will we actually see this technology on the market?  Microsoft Research projects have an awful habit of disappearing without trace or being consumed by a far less impressive app.

[via GottaBeMobile]