Microsoft Surface

Microsoft Surface is a forthcoming multi-touch product from Microsoft which is developed as a software and hardware combination technology that allows a user, or multiple users, to manipulate digital content by the use of natural motions, hand gestures or physical objects. It is expected to be released in late 2008.

Imagine being able to actually touch your digital photos and drag them around by hand, or use your finger as a Photoshop paint brush. You can do that and much more with this surface computing product. The Minority Report-style computing environment allows you to directly interact with a touch-sensitive 30-inch tabletop setup using nothing but your fingers. Its multi-touch interface gives you hands-on control of content such as photos, music and maps. Microsoft Surface can also sense objects that you place on the tabletop. Sit down a Wi-Fi enabled digital camera, for example, and all of your recently captured photos magically flow out of the device onto the computer screen, ready for quick emailing or saving. The technology won't be available for home use right away, however. Hotels, retail stores, and restaurants will get them first though.

Expect the Microsoft Surface to soon become a common item in every household, or even a basic necessity, as has become of the computer and the mobile phone. With the vast functions available on the Surface, practically anything could be done at our fingertips, literally. Bills could be paid, groceries could be ordered, and so on. Even though it will only be released for commercial use initially, expect Microsoft's Surface to be in the home of every first-world country in a few years to come. And you thought Bill Gates could not get any richer.