'Minority Report' screen for all

Surface of the Surface: Touchable.

I'm sure most of you have drooled, at some point in time, at the glassy computer interfaces of Minority Report. Not a lot can match its dramatic hand gestures directly moving around various data types as if they were physical objects.

Only thing is, at least as demonstrated in the movie, one must first equip a pair of dinky gloves that sport blue LEDs. Sod that.

Plenty of researchers and hobbyists have experimented with prototypes of this sort of interface -- and some even demonstrate their wares in public, such as this chap at a TED conference, this oddly intriguing bar top, or this fish-filled interactive table top by Panasonic.

Many of those demonstrated, however, still tend to require special recognition cards in place of, say, virtual buttons and menus, which, contrary to new-found believe, can actually be intuitive.

Thankfully, a lot of people have been trying to make the experience as natural as possible, and now Microsoft is proclaiming that it, too, has been messing around with this interface technology.

Microsoft's 'Surface': An all-new table, now with photos.

Microsoft gave its device the name 'Surface' -- although a previous prototype was dubbed the 'Tub' -- and is attempting to design it in a way that's accessible to anyone.

And by 'anyone' I mean 'anyone who can dish out $5,000 to $10,000,' because that's what each tubby touchscreen table costs. That's why, beginning at the end of this year, it will solely be aimed at hotels, restaurants, and various other public places.

Essentially, it's a table with a 30-inch touch screen embedded smack in the middle. On that screen is an interface, with which you -- and others, at the same time -- can move around all sorts of digital content directly with your fingers.

'Surface' in a restaurant: Featuring digital bubbles under real drinks.

"Surface breaks down the traditional barriers between people and technology, providing effortless interaction with digital content," says Microsoft, adding it's "Similar to the way ATMs changed how people got money from the bank ..."

"Microsoft is changing the way people will interact with all kinds of everyday content, including photos, music, a virtual concierge and games. Common, everyday tasks become entertaining, enjoyable and engaging, alone or face-to-face with family, friends or co-workers."

One such soon-to-be-awesome task includes putting down your mobile phone, as the device features object recognition. One nifty example is in finger-dragging photos to and fro your physical phone via the 'Surface' interface.

"Users can place physical objects on the surface to trigger different types of digital responses, including the transfer of digital content."

Some say 'if only to be rid of these various bulky interface devices that gather up gunk.' 'Greasy fingers,' I say.

Of course, the Apple fanboys had to find something to dislike about it, labelling it as Microsoft's attempt at the iPhone, but the size of a table and costing $10,000.

See it for yourself at Microsoft's flashy Surface website.