Microsoft has unveiled its Microsoft Surface Computing technology, a new category of products that focus on interaction with information using touch, natural gestures and physical objects. Picture a surface that can recognize physical objects from a paintbrush to a cell phone and allows hands-on, direct control of content such as photos, music and maps… Surface turns an ordinary tabletop into a vibrant, dynamic surface that provides effortless interaction with all forms of digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects.
The Surface user interface does not require a traditional mouse or keyboard. Instead it lets users “grab” digital information by touch and gesture, use multiple points of contact simultaneously (including from more than one user at once) and provides object recognition whereby physical objects placed on the surface will trigger responses.
Surface essentially consists of a PC running Windows Vista housed in a table whose surface is a 30-inch touch screen. Five cameras are mounted beneath the screen to detect nearby objects.
With an initial price tag ranging from US$5,000 to US$10,000, it will take some time for Surface to make its way to consumers. For now, Surface will be rolled out later this year to T-Mobile stores and a number of hotels and casinos.