Ever in search of the next paradigm shift in computing, Microsoft showed off a prototype of its Sphere computer at its Research Faculty Summit in Redmond. The research prototype is a multi-user, touch-sensitive display featuring an orb as a replacement for a traditional flat-screen monitor. Imagines are sent by a projector to the inside of the sphere, which uses an infrared camera to sense when someone touches the outside of the sphere. Some demo applications have been built for it, including a finger painting and omni-directional video-conferencing application.

To be honest, I don't see where this can possibly lead. Then again, Dan Olds, the principal analyst with the Gabriel Consulting Group summed it up this way: "While some of the form factors, like a sphere, seem to only lend themselves to very simple uses, you never know where this type of exploration might lead."

For more information on this report:
- check out this Computerworld article