Microsoft's "Surface" Changes the Way We Use Computers

Popular Mechanics was recently given a behind-the-scenes look at Microsoft’s “Surface,” a new entirely touch-based computer interface. But it’s more than just a touchscreen like the ones you’d find in a mall display. Codenamed “Milan”, the tabletop surface acts as a computer desktop that you can interact with almost like, well, an actual desktop. The screen uses multi-touch technology, so it can recognize and distinguish between several individual finger points. This means you can shuffle around items on the desktop as if they were actual objects in front of you.

Aside from that, the “surface” can interact wirelessly with devices set on top of it, such as a digital camera or a PDA, and swap files between them. Crazier still, it can “connect” to a glass of water, meaning it can recognize the object and build a visual display around it.

So far, it’s pretty mind-blowing just how they can manipulate pictures and videos, but I’m wondering how cool this could be for gaming. True, an FPS might not be so great on this machine, but what about an RTS or MMO? In those games, a mouse is more like an extension of your hand anyway. Unfortunately, with it’s $10,000 price tag, Microsoft is promoting this mainly for casinos, hotels, and cell phone companies for now, so it’ll be awhile before we can hope to see this in people’s homes.

They explain that the “surface” works because of embedded infrared cameras, but I think that’s a cover. I have my own theory as to how this is possible: sorcery. Microsoft is now employing wizards, witches, and sorcerers to create magical objects and pass them off as new technology. The truth is out there, people. Trust no one.

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