Microsoft has been dangling the possibility of a smaller, more consumer-centric version of its Surface multi-touch tabletop computer for the past few months. Now that form factor has a codename: Oahu.
Long Zheng of istartedsomething.com has more details on Oahu, which he has gleaned from a Microsoft marketing survey evaluating interest in a more affordable, smaller, home-oriented Surface. As Zheng notes the survey asked participants about a few different “forms” of Oahu -- a table for meals, a counter top or games table.
The survey questions whether users would be willing to spend $1,499 for a Surface games table or casual table.
As Zheng notes, Oahu, "besides being the name of the Hawaiian island - home to Honolulu, Pearl Harbour and Lost, it is indirectly translated as 'The Gathering Place.'"
No word on when Oahu test trials may begin or when a final product may hit. But Microsoft is set to talk about its Surface software development kit at the Professional Developers Conference in two weeks....