Software manufacturer Microsoft has unveiled a new touch-sensitive coffee table-top computer that will allow users to operate it with their fingers.
First shown to journalists at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (where the iPhone was also presented), Microsoft's 'Surface' was officially launched this week and is expected to initially be targeted to commercial retailers.
Designed in the form of a coffee table, users will be able to use their fingers on the touch screen to manipulate, rotate, zoom and interact with objects.
The screen will also be sensitive to any real-world objects placed on it, such as coffee mugs.
'Surface' is based on a Vista PC, a 30-inch screen, a projector and cameras pointed at the tabletop, all placed inside the table's base in order to recreate the full experience.
Small groups of people will be able to use the tabletop simultaneously, according to Microsoft.
At an initial estimated cost of between £2,000 and £5,000, the table top will be targeted to large companies at first, but it is expected that in three to five years the cost of producing them will be cheap enough to ship to private individuals and homes.
Hotel chains such as Starwoods, T-Mobile stores, the casino chain Harrah's and slot-machine company IGT will be the first to use the "Surface" product, before it becomes more widely available.
Want to protect your computer?
InsureandGo offers great value
computer insurance. Call us or go online for a quote.