Desktop computing has a new, more literal definition.

Microsoft researchers are developing a system that turns a tabletop, desktop or other smooth horizontal surface into a computer display and user interface.

Forget the mouse and keyboard. This "surface computing" software follows hand movements to control functions such as zooming in on a map. It can recognize and interact with sheets of paper, cellphones on the desk and other objects.

"I have this very fluid kind of interaction that's very natural," said Microsoft researcher Andy Wilson, as he slid his fingertips across a map of Seattle projected on the table.

Wilson was swarmed by computer science professors attending the Microsoft Research Faculty Summit in Redmond. The system, called PlayAnywhere, was one of about 40 technologies Microsoft had on display Tuesday.

"Humans are used to gesturing and giving directions," said Guri Sohi, chair of the computer-science department at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. "The way you translate that to a computer is through a mouse and a keyboard."

He found the PlayAnywhere interface a more intuitive way of interacting with computers.

"I think that's much more powerful," Sohi said.

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