Seattle, WA

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer unveiled the company’s first surface computing product, called Microsoft Surface – an innovation that will change the way people shop, dine, entertain and live.

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. Surface can simultaneously recognize dozens and dozens of movements such as touch, gestures and actual unique objects that have identification tags similar to bar codes. The horizontal form factor makes it easy for several people to gather around surface computers together, providing a collaborative, face-to-face computing experience.

With Surface’s mapping application, you can manipulate a map and move it, shrink it and access personalized data for local sites, attractions and venues. To do this today, you’d need a paper map, books, concierge and even a bookstore to find and gather all the information. Or, with Surface’s photo application, you have the ability to sort through pictures, decide which ones you want to share, zoom in for a closer look and more. In these ways, Surface is unlocking content; making it rich, more fun and easier to use.

Future versions of Surface will incorporate a myriad of device-sync capabilities. For instance, users could set a digital camera or mobile phone on the surface and watch as their pictures spill out across the table. The Surface custom software platform runs on Windows Vista™ and has wired Ethernet 10/100 and wireless 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity.

Another day, another ground breaking technological innovation coming out of Seattle. The first question is where can you get one, the answer to that is later this year and right after me.

Microsoft Surface allows users to interact with digital content through touch and natural gestures — they can stretch, share, and drag and drop digital images

With Microsoft Surface, you can share digital photos with your friends as you would in the physical world, sliding them across the table with a flick of the finger.

Microsoft Surface responds to touch, gestures and objects placed on the surface

Instantly compare items while shopping with Microsoft Surface.

Official Press Report
Executive Q&A

All images and information provided by Microsoft at http://www.microsoft.com/surface/

Microsoft Surface, Microsoft, Gadgets, Seattle, Steve Ballmer, CEO, Technology