SurroundWeb - Microsoft 3D Browser

Microsoft Research is working hard to develop the SurroundWeb system, designed to display the content of web pages throughout the entire space of the room. SurroundWeb is a kind of “3D browser” that creates the effect of full user immersion in the Internet.

Do not be surprised if the SurroundWeb project causes you to deja vu. It is very similar to the concept of Microsoft Illumiroom . The task of both systems is to increase the content display area by using the walls of the room. These systems differ only in that SurroundWeb uses more measurements and is intended primarily for displaying and managing Internet content, and not for creating the effect of realistic games.

The idea of ​​SurroundWeb is to “enable web pages to display on several surfaces of a room and adapt their appearance to the changing position of objects in the room.” Before using the system, the user must reserve the room and indicate their preferred surfaces for use with Kinect. It is also necessary to note the available screens, projectors and other output devices for further interaction with them.
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The Microsoft Research team also mentioned several flaws in the prototype. For example, a room will not be rendered if any room parameter does not meet the requirements of the system. Also, the system is not yet trained to recognize which input method you use when interacting with a web page, be it a mouse, keyboard or gestures.

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