Microsoft’s Surface comes to the UK

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Microsoft Surface is set to come to the UK, alongside 11 other countries in Europe and the Middle East, the software giant announced today at the CeBIT tech show in Germany.

Available in the US and Canada since its launch last year, Surface is Microsoft’s multitouch interface platform, which lets users interact directly with the screen using their hands or or objects. The technology was displayed at last year's CeBIT show.

Microsoft refers to the system as a Natural User Interface (NUI), as it lets people use touch and hand gestures instead of a mouse and keyboard.

Commercial businesses will pay €11,000 (£9,858) for the product, while a developer unit will cost €13,000. A Microsoft spokesperson told IT PRO that the firm is "exploring a consumer offering" but doesn't have any specific details around availability or pricing.

According to Microsoft, it is working with EMC to use Surface for an enterprise search system, while digital marketing agency Razorfish is creating a touch interface for banking firms. And, InterKnowlogy’s medical applications would let doctors and their patients walk through surgeries in 3D using hand gestures.

Other companies are creating a Surface-based wealth management application, navigation tools, and banking applications, in addition to mobile display devices for tourism and entertainment.

Panos Panay, general manager of Microsoft Surface, said: “We’re excited to be entering into these new markets with partners who have already begun exploring many possibilities of Microsoft Surface locally.”

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