Microsoft Surface

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For more information, see: touch screen.

Microsoft Surface is a multi-touch device in the form of a table top. Developed as a software and hardware technology, it is an intuitive way to interact with digital content and it blurs the line between the physical and virtual worlds in more ways than one.

One or more people can use Surface by touching the screen and performing hand motions to manipulate digital content.

Touch screen technologies are indeed useful for some applications, but not for others. For example, since the hand is not supported as with a keyboard with rest, extended touch screen use can lead to repetitive stress disorders. Touch screens are impractical in field or industrial environments where hands are dirty and will interfere with the screen; a special case was observed with extremely realistic presentation of pathological specimens, where physicians were vaguely bothered until they realized they were trained never to touch such a specimen when ungloved.