Posted 08/15/08 at 10:42:35 AM by Pulkit Chandna

Microsoft’s touch-sensitive Surface platform received a major shot in the arm with Starwood hotels, which owns the Sheraton chain of hotels, agreeing to install Surface machines at its hotels. The first lot of Surface machines reached five different Sheraton Hotels on August 13th, 2008. Using these Surface-enabled tables, guests can find information about the restaurant, listen to music, or chart their course through the hotel premises. However, Craig Parker, general manger of Sheraton Gateway Hotel SFO, did acknowledge that the guests might take some time to get accustomed to the Surface computers.

Each Surface computer is reported to have cost Starwood around $10,000. As the machine is made to order, there is always a possibility for change and evolution. Perhaps they can include games to keep the guests riveted. Also lending individuality – or a personality – to the table using interactive 3D characters might be a wonderful business idea as guests might even leave a tip for the table then - not really.

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