Some people say that Microsoft should have been the one to invent the iPhone. Instead of putting a touchscreen in people's pockets, they placed it on the table, which was the original Surface back then. Nowadays, the similarly named Surface tablet may not be a huge success, but Microsoft's passion for large screens has not waned at all. For example, showcasing Windows 8 on an 82-inch computer, and Bill Gates occasionally using an 80-inch Windows 8.
But these are all small things. At Trafalgar Square, a famous tourist attraction in Westminster, Greater London, UK, Microsoft erected a 383-inch Surface, to be precise, the newly released Surface Pro 2.
It took Microsoft about 12 hours to set up this massive device, standing 17 feet (5.2 meters) high and 27 feet (8.2 meters) wide, complete with a Type Cover 2 keyboard dock, and all the keys are functional. Passersby can step on them to interact, such as playing a word game, which also provides a bit of exercise.
To prevent random stepping, Microsoft left ample space between the keys, showing thoughtful consideration. Someone tried sending out a tweet, which was quite fun.
The power behind it is also a Surface Pro 2, just the standard version, connected via USB (keyboard), micro HDMI (screen).
At least in terms of capturing attention, Microsoft succeeded.
Video: How Microsoft built its 383-inch Surface 2: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNjI2MDkyMDEy.html