Microsoft's Surface expands to 12 new markets
Published: 03 Mar 2009 10:46 GMT
Microsoft is looking to keep the smile on its Surface computer, as it brings the touchscreen PC to the UK and 11 new overseas markets.
The software giant on Monday announced that the Surface computer, which responds to touch and hand gestures, will now be marketed in the UK as well as Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Spain, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates. The computer is currently distributed in the US and Canada.
According to a statement by Panos Panay, Microsoft Surface's general manager: "Since our initial launch of Microsoft Surface, we've received an overwhelming response from companies worldwide that are looking for innovative ways to engage with their customers and developers who want to create applications that were not possible with other technologies."
Since Microsoft unveiled Surface in May 2007, it has gained 120 application development partners for the system in 11 countries. Initially, Microsoft encountered difficulty in having applications developed for the system, and the concept has yet to make much impact.
"Surface computing is certainly a major new concept in computing with novel ways of interacting. While its potential seems huge, it remains to be seen quite where it will fit in day-to-day work and communication," Joanna Bawa, editor of the British Computer Society's UsabilityNews website, told ZDNet UK. "It's a big change from the keyboard, and while this may be a good thing in the long term, it may take longer than we expect to integrate it into the mainstream."
Avanade, an IT-consulting firm, has developed wealth-management applications for financial planning, while InterKnowlogy is developing medical applications designed to allow doctors and their patients review surgery procedures collaboratively.
Additional reporting by ZDNet UK staff.
Credit: Microsoft's Surface to touch 12 markets abroad from CNET News
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