Microsoft today announced a new hardware called Surface which is essentially a coffee table-shaped computer with touch screen.  Forget about mouse and keyboard, the concept is to interact with human with voice, pen and touch.

This is a really futuristic design and idea.  Based on initial reports, “It allows people to touch and move objects on screen for everything from digital finger painting and jigsaw puzzles to ordering off a virtual menu in a restaurant.”

“It also recognizes and interacts with devices placed on its surface, so cell phone users can easily buy ringtones or change payment plans by placing their handsets on in-store displays, or a group of people gathered round the table can check out the photos on a digital camera placed on top” … according to a report by Reuters.

I wonder what will happen if someone places an ipod on top … may be it will be destroyed automatically like the recorder in “Mission Impossible” and a window poping up saying “time to replace your ipod with Zune”?

Anyway, the item will be selling for $5,000 and $10,000 each initially.  Can’t wait to see one of the real thing.  It will be installed in some casinos and hotels in the US first.