Microsoft unveils innovative "Surface Computer"

Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday unveiled a coffee-table-shaped "surface computer" that turns an ordinary tabletop into a vibrant, dynamic surface that offers effortless interaction with all forms of digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects, giving a face to co-founder Bill Gates's dream of a future where the mouse and keyboard are replaced by more natural interaction using voice, pen and touch.

Company CEO Steve Ballmer unveiled the new machine, called “Microsoft Surface”, the first in a new category of surface computing products from Microsoft that responds to touch and special bar codes attached to everyday objects, at the Wall Street Journal's "D: All Things Digital" conference in Carlsbad, California yesterday.

"With Surface, we are creating more intuitive ways for people to interact with technology," Ballmer said. "We see this as a multibillion dollar category, and we envision a time when surface computing technologies will be pervasive, from tabletops and counters to the hallway mirror. Surface is the first step in realizing that vision."

The coffee- table-shaped touch-controlled computers, which consist of a 30-inch acrylic horizontal display that fixes on top of a nearly 2-foot-tall table, are set to arrive in November in restaurants, hotels, casinos and stores with a price tag between $5,000 and $10,000 per unit.

Initially pitched at businesses, the new products will be introduced by Harrah's Entertainment, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, T-Mobile USA and global gaming machine designer International Game Technology (IGT).

Although, “Microsoft Surface” will launch as a commercial application, but Microsoft plans to market it for students and domestic use too. The software giant will probably release a consumer version of the Surface computer in three to five years, according to Microsoft General Manager Pete Thompson.

Surface Computer, which is the result of five years' research and is being launched by Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices division, is essentially a Windows Vista PC fitted inside a shiny black table base, topped with a horizontal monitor, where users can move screen objects around with their fingertips. It will automatically identify the objects placed on it. Beneath the screen, there are five cameras that can sense nearby objects.

Unlike most touchscreens, Surface can simultaneously recognize dozens of movements such as touch and gestures. The world's largest software maker has planned to manufacture the machine itself, rather than deploying personal-computer manufacturers.

While using the Surface, the fourth-largest U.S. mobile-phone company T-Mobile USA would let store visitors get information on new phones and load content such as ring tones and games. Similarly, Harrah's, which operates casinos such as Caesars Palace and the Paris, would allow users place their Harrah's reward card on the screen and make purchases with the points on the card.

Impressed with Redmond mammoth’s multi-touch, object-recognition software, analysts say the first few applications only give glimpse of what is possible in future. "The potential for the interface is huge," said Matt Rosoff, an analyst with Directions on Microsoft, an independent research firm. "Once you open it up to applications, what you can think of is limitless."

Another analyst from Jupiter Research, Michael Gartenberg labels the “Surface” as a big breakthrough for Microsoft in terms of evolving the notion of what a personal computer is.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, standing firm on their mission to provide top-tier technology, deliver great software and reliable services.

Surface is the first commercially available surface computing platform from Microsoft Corporation that comes to life for exploring, learning, sharing, creating, buying and much more. Soon to be available in restaurants, hotels, retail and public entertainment venues, this experience will transform the way people shop, dine, entertain and live, Microsoft said on its Surface Website.