Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft
Microsoft: would you like a computer in that recipe box?
by Brad Linder Jun 7th 2007 at 4:30PM
ZDNet's Mary Jo foley reports that Microsoft is working on a kitchen-specific version of Windows Vista. Actually, Microsoft wants you to have a computer in every room, with applications tailored to that room. The Kitchen Client will likely be a layer of software running over Windows Vista that includes a family calendar, recipe center, bulletin board, and entertainment features like music and video. It will probably run on some sort of a tablet PC so that you can interact with the computer via a stylus with digital ink and/or a touch screen.
Not to sound like a luddite, but it seems like a dry erase board and a radio would be able to do most of the same things for a lot cheaper. But they can't connect to your home network to interact with other PCs in the house or go online to use Windows Live services.
And odds are you'll be able to pick up a Kitchen Client for significantly less than the $5000+ that early coffee-table style PCs running Surface are expected to cost.
Note that the PC in the picture is not technically a Kitchen Client, but rather a HP touch-screen PC running Windows Vista and HP software designed to make kitchen operation a bit easier.
So, just how good at time waster games are you? Think you've got the stuff? Well, The World's Hardest Game 2.0 doesn't think you do.
Yes, amazingly, it's possible to have a sequel to a game called "The World's Hardest Game". It doesn't seem logically possible, since if the first one was actually the world's hardest, how could another one come along and share the moniker? It made me doubt the name in the first place. That is, until I tried the game.
The mechanics of the game are very simple. You are a small red square, ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Todd said 8:41PM on 6-07-2007
Q: "Would you like a computer in that recipe box?"
A: NO!!!!!!!!
Yes, please put "clippy" in charge of the vital act of food preparation.
Clippy: "Ok, now cut up that chicken then cut up that beef and put it all into the pot.."
Me:"Whoa...wait a minute, aren't you supposed to use something to sanitize..."
Clippy: "Ok, now cut up that chicken then cut up that beef and put it all into the pot.."
Me: "No, that's dangerous, not sanitary..."
Clippy: "Would you like to search for salmonella poisoning on your C drive?"
Reply
Aaron said 8:44PM on 6-07-2007
That's exactly what I thought. HP already has their machine that does the same thing. Does Microsoft really need to come out with a whole "new" thing that duplicates what's already available?
If I had the spare cash, I'd pick up one of those HP models for the kitchen/living area, I like the concept of that kind of interface in the kitchen. But I don'thave it like that.
And Microsoft saying they are going to make a device that does the same thing at probably near the same cost doesn't make me able to get it sooner.
Reply
Doug said 8:28PM on 6-11-2007
*touches meat, then touches touch screen for next step*
CRAP. Now I have to clean off my screen? I hope they make a computer that adapts to the kitchen... I'm not going to wash my hands after touching the meat just to go to the next step or smear the meat juice to scroll down.
Reply
ScOObyDoo said 8:41PM on 6-07-2007
Ah yeah, cause the Salton Icebox was SUCH a success.
Reply
Bob1555555 said 8:29AM on 6-08-2007
Doug, a very simple solution. Voice Commands.
Reply
Chuck said 11:25AM on 6-08-2007
Some of the comments above really make me think that until voice activation grow up, these machines are really just future retro novelties. I want to be in my kitchen (yeah right) and annunciate iTunes..Libraries...Fluffy....Daft Punk..play...volume...5...set...oh yeah large fries!
Reply
fredthompson said 1:18PM on 6-08-2007
I've wanted something like this for years so I can get rid of the cookbooks. However, what I want is a thin tablet with a very high-resolution display. Attach the tablet to a cabinet door and it's visible but not in the way. There are easily-cleanable food-save touchscreens already, guys. You don't think food processing is done manually, do you? The key is for the case to be designed properly, not adapted from a laptop.
Reply
Murph said 9:44AM on 6-09-2007
Geeeeeezzzzzzz......
Reply
Murph said 9:45AM on 6-09-2007
Sorry, what I meant to say was, "geeeeeezzzzzzz......" {slaps forehead, thinks of old Jetsons reruns, wonders idlly "screw the recipes, can I get the thing to drag the trash out, load the dishwasher, change a diaper or two, feed the dog, walk the turtle, clean the fridge, mop the floors....}
Do we REALLY need another tech-item crammed into another space our lives??? iPod, PDA, cell phone, Bic pens - what's next, remote controls for toilet flushing?!?!?
Reply