next story Blogs_next_icon

Microsoft to unveil interactive 'surface computer'

Microsoft's surface computer is more interactive and does away with keyboard and mouse

In tune with co-founder Bill Gates’ view of a future where the mouse and keyboard are replaced by more natural interaction using voice, pen and touch, Mircosoft Corporation has developed a coffee-table-shaped ‘surface computer’.

Microsoft Surface, which has a 30-inch display under a hard-plastic tabletop, allows people to touch and move objects on screen for everything from digital finger painting and jigsaw puzzles to ordering off a virtual menu in a restaurant. It also recognizes and interacts with devices placed on its surface, so cell phone users can easily buy ringtones or change payment plans by placing their handsets on in-store displays, or a group of people gathered round the table can check out the photos on a digital camera placed on top.

Microsoft held demonstrations of the technology last week and will officially introduce it at the Wall Street Journal's "D: All Things Digital" conference on Wednesday. "It's drop-dead simple and people really like it, because it mimics what they do in the real world," said Pete Thompson, general manager of Microsoft's surface computing business.

The company is selling the Surface for between $5,000 and $10,000 each, but aims to bring prices down to consumer levels in three to five years and introduce various shapes and forms.

[ Via Reuters ] [ Via pcmag ]

Latest News:

more...