Microsoft Surface (Codename: Milan), is a multi-touch product from Microsoft which is developed as a software and hardware combination technology that allows a user, or multiple users, to manipulate digital content by the use of natural motions, hand gestures, or physical objects.

It was announced on May 29, 2007 at D5 conference. Initial customers will be in the hospitality businesses, such as restaurants, hotels, retail, public entertainment venues and the military for tactical overviews. The preliminary launch was on April 17, 2008, when Surface became available for customer use in AT&T stores. Microsoft Surface is also being used in

the CBS series CSI: Miami, where the crime lab uses it for investigation purposes; the MSNBC coverage of the 2008 US presidential election; Disneyland’s future home exhibits; and various hotels and casinos. As of March 2009, Microsoft had 120 partners in 11 countries that are developing applications for Surface’s interface.

Microsoft Surface video advertisement

Microsoft Surface Specifications

Microsoft Surface is a 30-inch (76 cm) display in a table-like form factor, 22 inches (56 cm) high, 21 inches (53 cm) deep, and 42 inches (107 cm) wide. The Microsoft Surface tabletop is acrylic, and its interior frame is powder-coated steel. The software platform runs on a custom version of Windows Vista and has wired Ethernet 10/100, wireless 802.11 b/g, and Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity. Microsoft’s Surface applications are written using either Windows Presentation Foundation or Microsoft XNA technology.

At Microsoft’s MSDN Conference, Bill Gates told developers of “Maximum” setup the Microsoft Surface was going to have:

• Intel Core Quad Xeon “WoodCrest” @ 2.66GHz
• 4GB DDR2-1066 RAM
• 1TB 7200RPM Hard Drive

It has a custom motherboard form factor about the size of two ATX motherboards.

Microsoft Surface Images

Microsoft Surface Demo

[via wikipedia]