Microsoft unveils coffee table-ish 'surface' computer

In yet another unexplored piece of territory, Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) has taken the wraps off a "surface" computer that resembles a coffee table (of sorts) and which responds to objects placed on it. This "new" computer appears to be a standard PC sitting in a table base instead of being located in a PC tower. Surface is geared more towards commercial and industrial uses rather than domestic usage.

In fact, the computers will first arrive at T-Mobile USA locations and hotels owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and Harrah's Entertainment. The Surface, as it's being called, will feature a 30-inch touchscreen and five cameras tucked beneath the screen that sense nearby objects and interact with them. Say you have a product with a bar code that you bring to the Surface, it will be scanned and then execute some preset amount of actions. Sounds like grocery-store technology from 1990, but I will move on.

The Surface will also respond to more than one touch at a time on its touchscreen. Although the applications for the Surface will be no doubt commercial at first as units will cost $5k to $10k, the company indicated that consumer versions are planned for three to five years as the price drops and as the product receives more recognition. So, the next time you're in a T-Mobile retail location and need help picking out that new cellphone, bring some fingers along for the touchscreen adventure that is sure to ensue.