Microsoft Announces Surface – At A Price

Without doubt, Microsoft’s Surface technology is one of the coolest pieces of gear to come out in a while, but comes with a hefty price tag.

Microsoft has announced the commercial availability of Microsoft Surface technology being available in Australia. Microsoft is currently aiming the technology at the business sector, and at $21,000 a pop it’s easy to see why private consumers might baulk at taking on the new technology.

Microsoft Surface is said to move beyond the traditional user interface to a more natural and intuitive way of interacting with digital content through multi-user, multi-touch experiences. In Australia, Microsoft ways there has already been interest from local partners and businesses, including Curtin University and ANZ bank, who intend to deploy this new technology.

Microsoft Surface provides a table-like display that responds to touch, natural hand gestures and placement of real-world objects including digital cameras, mobile phones and even business cards. With a large 76cm (30-inch) display, 360-degree, horizontal user interface, Microsoft Surface represents a fundamental change in the way consumers can interact with digital content, simultaneously recognising multiple touch points to allow for a greater collaborative experience.

Surface is ideal for a multitude of businesses such as retail, hospitality and financial services that will be able to engage, entertain and inform customers in new, collaborative ways.  In addition, Surface will help public sector organisations including schools, councils and healthcare facilities to connect people with data, while integrating interactive content into their everyday lives.

As with most commercial technologies, it will be only a matter of time before it makes its way intot the consumer market, but the price will have to come down markedly.