Microsoft's TouchWall

Microsoft's got a prototype computer for just about every flat surface in your life: first they conquered tables, desks, and credenzas with the aptly-named Surface (which I've had a lot of fun with at various cell phone stores, although they do like to toss you out). Now Microsoft has turned Surface on end, probably literally, with their latest prototype, TouchWall.

HP and multitouch maven Jeff Han both have multitouch wall devices, and anyone following the US presidential race has seen John King fingering CNN's Magic Wall touchscreen with varying degrees of effectiveness.

Microsoft's version, a 4 foot by 6 foot slab with inexpensive IR sensors and a rear-mounted camera, looks like a whiteboard for the future - and is indeed being targeted for low-cost school and small business applications. But don't be fooled into thinking this is the limit for touch-screen technology: Microsoft also has a sphere-shaped Surface in the works.

Gates demos TouchWall computer [CNET]