On The SURFACE with Microsoft

A Coffee table-shaped computer called "Surface".

Direct Link To The SURFACE Flash Website

Envision a time when surface computing technologies will be pervasive, from tabletops and counters to the hallway mirror

Designed to do away with the need for a traditional mouse and keyboard, users can instead use their fingers to operate the computer.

Also designed to interact with mobile phones placed on the surface, Microsoft says it will initially sell the unit to corporate customers. These will include hotels, casinos, phone stores and restaurants.

So-called "multi-touch" interfaces - which allow the user to move several fingers on a screen to manipulate data, rather than relying on a mouse and menus - have been making waves in tech circles for some time.