Microsoft Surface is an interactive tabletop computer that uses touch, gestures, and physical objects for input. It recognizes multiple contact points and tagged objects through cameras underneath the screen. Images are processed to detect fingers and objects, launching the corresponding applications. Currently used in retail stores, hotels, and educational demonstrations, Microsoft plans to expand Surface to other industries like healthcare and the home.

1. Microsoft Surface By: Stephanie Hendrickson

2. What is Microsoft Surface? It is an interactive surface computer in table form. It is operated through natural gestures, touch, and physical objects. Allows for individual or multiple people interaction.

3. Why is it special? You can move digital information with your hands. No mouse or keyboard required. Surface computers recognize multiple contact points. Not just from on finger. Physical objects can be used on the screen, such as cameras. It also recognizes tagged objects.

4. How does it work? Images are displayed onto the underside of the screen. Fingers, hand gestures and objects are visible through this screen to cameras placed underneath the display. Camera images are then processed using an image processing system which detects, fingers, and objects such as paint brushes. These objects are then recognized and the correct application begins running.

5. Where? The current public locations that Microsoft surface is being used are select AT&T stores, iBar at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, select Sheraton Hotels, Disney Innovations House in Anaheim, California, and at Hotel 1000 in Seattle.

6. The future Right now Microsoft is focused on retail, hospitality, automotive, banking and healthcare. They plan to expand to other areas as well as providing home based products.

7. What does this mean for education? Painting application Sentence correction Saving continual assessments on ID cards There are many more applications being designed

8. References http://www.microsoft.com/SURFACE/about_faqs/faqs.aspx http://www.microsoft.com/SURFACE/index.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP5y7yp06n0 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Surface