What is Surface Computing? Microsoft Unveils Its Vision for the Future

After five years of secrecy, Microsoft has finally introduced what it believes to be the next logical step in merging the real world with the virtual. The coffee table shaped surface computer allows user interaction by simply touching and gliding the fingers over the screen.

The device can recognize real world objects as well with a technology Microsoft has dubbed Domino Tagging. An object, such as a wine glass, is tagged with a barcode so that the computer can identify it. This recognition can then be used to display related information on the object such as the vineyard the wine in the glass came from etc., among other things.

Users can place their cell phone down on the surface allowing the computer to effortlessly download the images from the memory card for instant display and manipulation. Users browse through their pictures as if they were actual photos lying on a table and can enlarge and shrink them by simply spreading their fingers. These features are not limited to still images. Video files can be manipulated in much the same way.

Touch screen technology is not new. What is new is the use of tagging and the ability for users to interact in a more natural way with the interface. Standard touch screen technology allows for only a single point of contact at a time. Surface computing can recognize up to a total of 52 separate touch points simultaneously allowing for a much richer experience. This opens up ideas for team collaboration, everyone working on a project together in real time.

Microsoft General Manager for Surface Computing, Pete Thompson, promises "It will feel like Minority Report. Very futuristic, but it will be here this year."

Consumers can begin playing with the new technology at either Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino or Caesar's Palace both in Las Vegas. Harrah's Entertainment, which owns both, has signed up to begin using the technology. Guests will be able to make dinner reservations or purchase show tickets among other things by simply placing their payment methods on the surface. T-Mobile USA will have units available within select outlets. Customers can place in-store display phones on the surface for detailed information related to that particular model as well as peruse and possibly purchase a plan for it.

While the initial price tag for the new system is approximated at between $5000 and $10,000, prices should decrease over the next few years as the technology matures making it more viable for home consumer use in the years to come.

For an overview of the product, point your browser to http://www.microsoft.com/surface