San Bruno B.A.R.T.

  Starting with April 17, a new touch-screen interactive tabletop display, called Surface, will be made available in AT&T stores. Surface represents Microsoft's solution for simplifying the consumer-computer interaction, as it allows users to manipulate on-screen items by touch.

  It is a 30'' table-like display that enables its users to easily manipulate media such as pictures, videos, maps and others as well as connect a series of devices. For instance, just by placing a digital camera on Surface one can transfer photos onto a mobile phone or other storage devices.

  Surface was first unveiled last May and since then, it has only been shown in limited demonstrations. The first location nationwide where the new techonology will appear is the AT&T Experience Store in San Bruno; four more stores will soon follow.

  Surface, as well as the iPhone, are part of the present trend of the natural gesture-based device utilization that goes well beyond keyboards and mice. Video game developing companies are working on systems that respond to the user's voice, gestures and body movements. "It's the most natural way to interact with something, by using your fingers," Roger Entner, a senior vice president at IAG Research, said.

  From now on, the sky is the limit, as the system could eventually be integrated with the TVs, phones and other home utilities. Before becoming a regular home appliance, Microsoft sees the system as becoming a standard feature for hotels, restaurants and other businesses.