Computing is Bigger in Vegas
Las Vegas is Everyman's cut-rate Babylon. - Alistair Cooke
© guspim
The Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas has brought six Microsoft Surface tabletop computers into its iBar ultra-lounge for use and play by bar patrons. Cool. I cannot wait to get out there and try it out.Surface is a thirty inch tabletop computer that features an interface that allows several users to move data around with their hands on the tabletop. I really do not know what practical value that has, but I am not Microsoft.
The chief application is called Flirt. This is described as "an exciting new way to chat and meet people from one Surface to another. Strategically placed video cameras at each Surface add even more energy to the action, allowing guests to interact with old friends, flirt with new acquaintances, and take and send photos across the lounge." Cool. But, my significant other and business partner is probably not into this feature. Guests will also be able to play a variety of games, order specialty cocktails, view videos, and tour Vegas virtually.
The Microsoft Surface team blog has a video and a description of the first days' implementation of the project. Having spent significant time in the Rio, I doubt the tabletop will stay as clean, spill-free, and without ashes, as shown in the video.
I have checked out the schedule at the Rio to see if I could justify a convention trip on the business tab. No dice. The Institute of Internal Auditors have the next big convention out there in July (with the exception of a June seminar on Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities). Neither sound at all interesting (no offense internal auditors – Go Flirt with the other auditors!).
Humor | Gregory Boop | 12 June 2008 |
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By Las Vegas Hotel, June 12, 2008 @ 5:36 pm
This does have value because people can order drinks from the table instead of waitresses asking people for drinks, they’ll be more focused getting the drink for the person. The flirting will be nice but probably get out of hand really quick. That table top will need to be wiped down every night a few times to stay spill and ash free. Vegas is definitely the place for the surface.
By 51, June 13, 2008 @ 1:49 am
sdfsdfsadf
By Greg, June 13, 2008 @ 9:45 am
I am looking forward to playing with them as soon as possible!! Any comps my way to get that process started…?
By ThePowerStocks.com Team, October 18, 2008 @ 1:46 am
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Here’s our market view on American stock market for 17th October, 2008
The major stock averages had another dramatic day of swings yesterday, the Dow reversing from down 380 in the morning to close up 401 points. The averages finished just shy of their highs of the session and the NASDAQ Composite led the way.
Stocks briefly rose at the opening, then reversed lower as a plunge in the October Philly Fed index (reported -37.5 v. estimated -10) and disappointing reading on September industrial production (reported -2.8% v. estimated -0.8%) weighed heavily. Follow-through selling from Wednesday was also a likely factor adding to the pressure on stocks.
The measures of fear again reached record levels in the morning plunge. The CBOE Volatility Index, the VIX, and the CBOE NASDAQ 100 volatility indicator both rose to new intraday all-time highs of 81.17 and 84.62, respectively. Stocks steadily slid to their late morning lows. At that point, the DJIA was down 380 and the NASDAQ 62 point and the internals of the market were overwhelmingly negative for both the NYSE and NASDAQ.
From the lows, the Dow rallied more than 500 points in an hour, gave back 200 points from their early afternoon peaks and settled into narrow ranges. A late acceleration sparked another 500-point rally up to the close. With the stock market successfully holding onto to their gains, the VIX and NASDAQ Volatility indexes eased back into their closes. The broad market finished solidly positive. Volume picked up substantially from the previous day’s low levels.
Today – Volatility will also rise as a significant amount of options expire in a triple-witching session. The opening looks lower.
ThePowerStocks.com Team
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