Microsoft unveils table computer

“Surface”, a new touch-sensitive coffee table-shaped computer, is designed to do away with the need for a traditional mouse and keyboard. Users can instead use their fingers to operate the computer.

Also designed to interact with mobile phones placed on the surface, Microsoft says it will initially sell the unit with 30 inch screens to corporate customers like hotels, casinos, phone stores and restaurants for between US$5,000 to US$10,000, and later produce cheaper versions for homes within three to five years.

The so-called “multi-touch” interfaces allow the user to “gesture” with several fingers at once to manipulate data, rather than relying on a mouse and menus. Microsoft also says small groups of people will be able to use each Surface machine simultaneously. This kind of technology has been making waves in tech circles for some time.

“We see this as a multi-billion dollar category, and we envision a time when surface computing technologies will be pervasive, from tabletops and counters to the hallway mirror,” said Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer.

While Microsoft’s Xbox 360 game console has been a success, its Zune music player continues to lag far behind Apple’s iPod. With this new piece of technology, the computer giant hopes to dominate the consumer market once again by first deploying them in Sheraton hotels, Harrah’s casinos, T-Mobile stores, and numerous restaurants in November.

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