http://www.microsoft.com/surface/
What is Microsoft Surface?
Microsoft Surface™, the
first commercially available
surface computer from
Microsoft Corp., turns an
ordinary tabletop into a
vibrant, interactive
surface. The product
provides effortless
interaction with digital
content through natural
gestures, touch and physical
objects. Surface is a
30-inch display in a
table-like form factor
that's easy for individuals
or small groups to interact
with in a way that feels
familiar, just like in the
real world. In essence, it's
a surface that comes to life
for exploring, learning,
sharing, creating, buying
and much more. Soon to be
available in restaurants,
hotels, retail
establishments and public
entertainment venues, this
experience will transform
the way people shop, dine,
entertain and live.
How does Surface work?
At a high level, Surface
uses cameras to sense
objects, hand gestures and
touch. This user input is
then processed and the
result is displayed on the
surface using rear
projection.
What is surface computing?
Surface computing is a new
way of working with
computers that moves beyond
the traditional
mouse-and-keyboard
experience. It is a natural
user interface that allows
people to interact with
digital content the same way
they have interacted with
everyday items such as
photos, paintbrushes and
music their entire life:
with their hands, with
gestures and by putting
real-world objects on the
surface. Surface computing
opens up a whole new
category of products for
users to interact with.
What are the key attributes
of surface computing?
Surface computing has four
key attributes:
Direct interaction. Users
can actually "grab" digital
information with their hands
and interact with content by
touch and gesture, without
the use of a mouse or
keyboard.
Multi-touch contact. Surface
computing recognizes many
points of contact
simultaneously, not just
from one finger, as with a
typical touch screen, but up
to dozens and dozens of
items at once.
Multi-user experience. The
horizontal form factor makes
it easy for several people
to gather around surface
computers together,
providing a collaborative,
face-to-face computing
experience.
Object recognition. Users
can place physical objects
on the surface to trigger
different types of digital
responses, including the
transfer of digital content.
