What is Microsoft Surface?

Yesterday, Microsoft announced its own tablet called Microsoft Surface Tablet. But Surface actually is not new to Microsoft developers. Microsoft has been working on this for over 10 years now. I remember in year 2005 at the MVP Summit, we were using a Microsoft Surface loaded coffee table to see the map with touch enabled inputs and gestures. 

So here we are today.

Microsoft announced Surface by Microsoft tablet that is a combination of both hardware and software that runs Windows 8 and gives users connectivity with other devices including Windows 8 PCs, Laptops, XBox, and other Tablets and smartphones. 

Surface is described as 

• From touch to type, office to living room, from your screen to the big screen, you can see more, share more, and do more with Surface.
• Create, collaborate, and get stuff done with Office.
• Explore your world with fast, fluid Windows 8 apps.
• Discover new music, movies, and games in the Windows Store.

Learn more about Surface by Microsoft here >>

Thanks to our member Vulpes for point out in forums thread Has Microsoft changed its Surface. Microsoft Surface is renamed to Microsoft PixelSense. Now, it seems like Microsoft is calling its Tablet Microsoft Surface Template. 

Microsoft Surface History 

What is Microsoft Surface?

Microsoft Surface is a new development platform (both hardware and software) that allows you to develop multi-input, touch-enabled applications. Designers and developers can use this platform to create rich and visually appealing applications that offer a new user experience in which users use only their hands and various objects to manipulate and interact with the applications. A Surface application should be natural and intuitive and should show little or no resemblance to a traditional Microsoft Windows or Web application.

The idea behind surface is so any object can become your screen and computer such as a wall or a coffee table.

 

We can even buy a surface-enabled kitchen where your kitchen counter tops and walls are a surface loaded with Windows 8 RT and Pro operating systems and connected with your wireless and other devices including PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones. It should also connect with your Windows Store and Xbox.

Check out Surface Overview here