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Microsoft: Walls will become computers of the future
Bill Gates talks of getting "everywhere"

By Ina Fried

Published: Thursday 15 May 2008

Speaking to a crowd of CEOs, Bill Gates, Microsoft chairman, showed off prototype technology he said will allow home and office walls to become computers.

While Microsoft's Surface computers are currently shipping for about $10,000, Gates said the hardware costs for such products need not be that high. Within a few years, it could be in the hands of individuals.

Gates said: "We're saying it will be absolutely pervasive. When I say everywhere, I mean the individual's office, the home, the living room."

What Gates showed yesterday was a four-foot by six-foot prototype called TouchWall.

Along with TouchWall, Gates demonstrated the software that accompanies it, known as Plex. TouchWall itself uses infrared and laser technology to sense touch input, Microsoft said.