Microsoft unveils future tech

14:29 3rd November 2008

Microsoft has showcased some of its future technologies, including its cloud computing software and surface interactive tables.

During the multi-national computer corporation's Professional Developers Conference, the firm demonstrated ways to make software-as-a-service infrastructure more power efficient, as well as new capabilities for its surface technology.

Feng Zhao, Microsoft principal researcher, outlined Microsoft's cloud computing plans.

He said: "For the next decade, research will look at how much energy a particular program is going to consume when running [in the cloud]."

In addition, Microsoft demonstrated its new table technology named Second Light, which can sense objects above the display and project a different image on top of it, enabling road names to be placed on a map.

Last month, the annual Wireless Security Survey revealed that London has regained its position as the world's pre-eminent location for Wi-Fi access - though Paris experienced a growth of 543 per cent in 2008.