THE FOLLOWING DATA HAS BEEN ADOPTED FROM THE MS SURFACE SITE FACT SHEET :LINK @: http://www.microsoft.com/surface/  

Microsoft Surface Fact SheetJanuary 2008

Name of Product:         Microsoft Surface      Category:                     Surface computing   

ProductOverview:                     Surface is the first commercially available surface computer from Microsoft Corp. It turns an ordinary tabletop into a vibrant, interactive surface. The product provides effortless interaction with digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects. 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.

 Description:                 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.  Surface will ship to partners with a portfolio of basic applications, including photos, music, virtual concierge and attract mode, that can be customized to provide their customers with unique experiences.

Surface Computing:                  Surface computing breaks down traditional barriers between people and technology, changing the way people interact with all kinds of everyday content, from photos to maps to menus. The intuitive user interface works without a traditional mouse or keyboard, allowing people to interact with content and information by using their hands and natural movements. Users are able to access information either on their own or collaboratively with their friends and families, unlike any experience available today. Surface computing features four key attributes:·         Direct interaction. Users can actually “grab” digital information with their hands and interact with content through 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

Features: 

Multi-touch display. The Surface display is capable of multi-touch interaction, recognizing dozens and dozens of touches simultaneously, including fingers, hands, gestures and objects placed on the surface. Horizontal orientation. The 30-inch display in a table-sized form factor allows users to share, explore and create experiences together, enabling a truly collaborative computing experience.  Dimensions. Surface is 22 inches high, 21 inches deep and 42 inches wide.  Materials. The Surface tabletop is acrylic, and its interior frame is powder-coated steel.  Requirements:             Standard American 110–120V power 

System:                        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.  

Availability:                  With deployments beginning in spring of 2008, consumers will be able to interact with Surface at select hotels, restaurants, retail establishments and public entertainment venues.

                                    Well the computer seems to be just great with the kind of interfacing they are going to provide with the other devices . For those who are saying that I am well blah -blahing about it should get a peak of it at the site .The visuals are overwhelming and great . The main draw back its not meant for mass consumption though . You could find it in the airport , hotels lobby in few years but the one that can suit your drawing room centre piece is still  a decade far ! By the time we will be having floating place surface systems or foldable sheet surface comp for the poorer lot I guess . For the time being I am just dreaming where i could lay my hand on this sexy piece .