Microsoft is moving technology into new terrirory today with the launch of its new Suface computer.

Duncan Riley at TechCrunch writes : “At the D: All Things Digital conference Wednesday, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will unveil Microsoft Surface, the first in a new category of surface computing products from Microsoft that will ‘break down traditional barriers between people and technology’.”

The computer is bin-shaped with a screen that forms the horizontal surface, like a table-top. The screen is able to recognize physical objects such as a comb or a telephone and allows direct control of content such as photos, music and maps. It is a dynamic surface that provides interaction with all forms of digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects.

Surface is touch-screen, point of sale technology taken to a new level. It will be targeted at hotels, retail outlets, and public entertainment venues. The guess is that it will be commercially available towards the end of 2007.

In its presentation Microsoft shows how to order a beverage during a meal with just the tap of a finger. Another example is browsing through music and dragging favourite tunes onto a personal playlist by moving a finger across the screen.

Clearly, we won’t have to move a muscle to do anything in the future. Obesity Plus here we come.

There’s a useful preview of S. E. Slack’s new book : Breakthrough Windows Vista over on the Microsoft website.

The preview is called, 4 Ways to Use Windows Vista at Home.

I’ve been using Windows Vista for several months now, first testing it and then writing my book, Breakthrough Windows Vista. Now I’m running the final version on my computer. … Windows Vista can help you do a lot of things—new tools to help you organize, store, and edit your music and photographs are just two examples of how you can use the new operating system. In this article, though, we’ll discuss four ways that my family and I have already started to take advantage of Windows Vista at home.

The four ways are :

1. Stay in touch with Windows Sidebar
2. Find what you need with Instant Search
3. Get organized with the multi-person Windows Calendar
4. Keep an eye on your kids with Parental Controls.

Read the rest of the piece.

In China, Bill Gates unveils Microsoft’s commitment to help close the digital divide by creating new products and programs that will help bring social and economic opportunity to the estimated 5 billion people who are not yet realizing the benefits of technology.

The press release states : “Company unveils affordable education suite for young people in developing nations and announces plans for 90 new Innovation Centers to promote local software ecosystems.”

“All human beings deserve a chance to achieve their full potential,” said Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft. “Bringing the benefits of technology to the next 5 billion people will require new products that meet the needs of underserved communities; creative, new business approaches that make technology more relevant, accessible and affordable; and close collaboration between local governments, educational institutions and community organizations.”

The expansion of Unlimited Potential will focus on three areas, Gates said: education, innovation, and jobs and economic opportunity.