Just touch with any dry, clean part of your body to activate. Any clean body part will work. That simple. Touch to activate. Touch to deactivate. That. Is. It. Off with handles. Off with indicators. Off with any superfluous elements. Just capacitive touch built in the whole body, so you don't have to mess its metallic surface with your dirty, wet hands. And you can even detach the tip.

Geeneeus functionality, and perfect, minimalist design. Jon Ive and Dieter Rams probably have theirs already. As soon as I get $547 to throw away, I'll get mine. [Delta Faucet via Core77]

The Bluetooth presenter is apparently the first Mac-specific one you can buy, and is compatible with both Keynote and PowerPoint. It's also got a laser pointer, mouse-control mode and two programmable buttons in addition to its slide control/volume control buttons. It's out now for $80, and is pictured next to the two wireless mice below.

ANAHEIM, Calif., – September 30, 2008 - Targus Inc., maker of the world’s top-selling laptop computer cases and accessories, announced today it is launching its first line of notebook accessories specifically designed for Mac notebook users. The new family of products is designed from the ground up to deliver a complete suite of Mac-exclusive solutions and includes a Wireless Mouse, Bluetooth® Laser Mouse, Bluetooth Presenter, USB Hub, Chill Mat™, File Share Cable and Privacy Screen. Each product is developed with materials, ergonomic attributes, technology innovations, functionality and aesthetics designed specifically to meet Mac users’ wants and needs. Drawing on the popularity of the iPod® Touch, the mice and presenter feature the most current touch scroll technology, delivering unprecedented ease of navigation.

With its first line of Mac accessories, Targus offers Mac enthusiasts cutting-edge products with feature-rich functionality and Mac-focused designs. The new line complements the Apple® style with clean, sleek and trendy form factors that exude simplicity and sophistication. In addition, continuing with Targus’ Eco-Smart™ campaign, all the packaging includes eco-friendly materials featuring up to 70% post-consumer paper materials and highly recyclable PET.

“The new Targus for Mac line was created with Mac user input throughout the design and development process, and while it has a distinct Mac aesthetic in terms of look and feel, it offers much more than that,” said Bob Shortt, sr. vice president of sales and marketing at Targus. “We designed the functionality required to deliver what Mac users want in their products, like the intuitive interface on the presenter, the smooth-moving touch scroll and the dual programmable buttons that let users personalize their experience.”

Wireless Mouse for Mac (Model # AMW43US) and Bluetooth Laser Mouse for Mac (Model # AMB08US)
Both new mice are equipped with the latest in touch technology, our 4-way touch scroll provides smooth, rapid scrolling, move up/down and left/right with just the tip of a finger. Additionally, the mice allow Mac users to personalize their mouse functions with two programmable buttons that instantly give users access to the functions or applications they use most. The ergonomic size and shape of the mice create a comfortable and supportive experience that cradles the hand during use. Equipped with a Power Indicator Light, both mice inform users of low battery power.

The Wireless Mouse for Mac features a RF 2.4 GHz Micro USB receiver, which plugs into a USB port, allowing unencumbered free range of motion; the micro receiver stows conveniently into the Wireless Mouse for travel or storage. 1200 dpi optical sensor technology ensures accurate movement on the screen. The Wireless Mouse for Mac measures 4.64” x 2.51” x 1.45”, weighs 4.7 oz and has an MSRP of $49.99.

With top-of-the-line Bluetooth technology, the Bluetooth Laser Mouse for Mac offers the ultimate ease in wireless connectivity and eliminates the need for a receiver, preserving a USB port for other devices. Whether used with or without a mouse pad, the Bluetooth Laser Mouse delivers precise cursor movements with quality 1200 dpi laser technology. The Bluetooth Laser Mouse for Mac measures 4.64” x 2.51” x 1.45”, weighs 4.4 oz and has an MSRP of $69.99.

Bluetooth Presenter for Mac (Model # AMP11US)
The first Mac-specific presenter on the market, Targus’ innovative Bluetooth Presenter for Mac includes numerous features designed to improve the presentation experience. The intuitive button configuration provides ease of use and prevents accidental button presses, with primary presentation controls such as previous slide, next slide and laser pointer easily identifiable from tactile cues; secondary functions like blank screen and slide show are recessed and out of the way. Versatile functionality switches easily from Presentation Mode to Cursor Mode, for use like a mouse, with touch scroll technology delivering smooth, effortless navigation through lengthy spreadsheets, PDF documents and other projected applications.

Compatible with both Keynote® and PowerPoint®, the Bluetooth presenter for Mac includes remote control for adjustment of volume and other functions plus two programmable buttons that give users quick access to applications or functions of their choice. Additionally, the Bluetooth Presenter for Mac includes a laser pointer, allowing users to call attention to important information within their presentation. Bluetooth technology delivers wireless control of presentations from a distance of up to 33 feet and the Presenter’s comfort-conscious design reduces strain due to the ergonomic placement of its buttons. The Bluetooth Presenter for Mac measures 5.1” x 1.65” x .98”, weighs 3.7 oz and has an MSRP of $79.99.

[Targus]

Apparently the team from Nottingham found it fairly easy to image the blood movements underneath your fingernails as you push on something, so their camera tracks these changes and works out whether you're touching an object and with what pressure. Try it out yourself: it's fairly easy to spot the color moving around beneath your nail.

Since the system doesn't require complex touchpad technology, it's pretty simple and cheap to produce. Good for tactile museum exhibits thinks the science team; good for whacky game console controllers think I. There's just one flaw: nail polish can confuse the camera, so naked nails it is. [New Scientist]

[AppleInsider]

Other applications include user interface enhancements and multimedia applications like mobile games and downloadable goodies. No official word yet from Nokia on when they will start rolling out new phones equipped with this feature, but expect them sooner rather than later as Nokia continues to quietly compete with the likes of Apple, LG and Samsung.
[via Extreme Tech]

Painting with surface sounds particularly intuitive (and fun): you can use a paint brush or simply dip your fingers into virtual paint cups. Photo resizing and stacking works much like the iPhone's zoom gestures. Also cool is the capacity for multiple users.

Such sweet tech comes at a price, naturally, with the units running $10,000 a pop. But, Microsoft expects prices to plummet over the next three to five years to the point they'll be in your homes. In the meantime you'll be able to play with them at T-Mobile stores, Harrah's and Sheraton hotels. Got more questions? Hit the jump for a FAQ and (naturally) a boatload of pictures. Update: And a video!

What is Microsoft Surface? Microsoft Surface™, the first commercially available surface computer from Microsoft Corp., turns an ordinary tabletop into a vibrant, interactive surface. The product provides effortless interaction with digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects. Surface is a 30-inch display in a table-like form factor that's easy for individuals or small groups to interact with in a way that feels familiar, just like in the real world. In essence, it's a surface that comes to life for exploring, learning, sharing, creating, buying and much more. Soon to be available in restaurants, hotels, retail establishments and public entertainment venues, this experience will transform the way people shop, dine, entertain and live.

How does Surface work?
At a high level, Surface uses cameras to sense objects, hand gestures and touch. This user input is then processed and the result is displayed on the surface using rear projection.

What is surface computing?
Surface computing is a new way of working with computers that moves beyond the traditional mouse-and-keyboard experience. It is a natural user interface that allows people to interact with digital content the same way they have interacted with everyday items such as photos, paintbrushes and music their entire life: with their hands, with gestures and by putting real-world objects on the surface. Surface computing opens up a whole new category of products for users to interact with.

What are the key attributes of surface computing?
Surface computing has four key attributes:
• Direct interaction. Users can actually "grab" digital information with their hands and interact with content by touch and gesture, without the use of a mouse or keyboard.
• Multi-touch contact. Surface computing recognizes many points of contact simultaneously, not just from one finger, as with a typical touch screen, but up to dozens and dozens of items at once.
• Multi-user experience. The horizontal form factor makes it easy for several people to gather around surface computers together, providing a collaborative, face-to-face computing experience.
• Object recognition. Users can place physical objects on the surface to trigger different types of digital responses, including the transfer of digital content.
How does Surface benefit consumers?
Surface breaks down the traditional barriers between people and technology, providing effortless interaction with digital content. 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.

Microsoft Surface [Microsoft]
Microsoft hopes 'Milan' table PC has magic touch [CNET]

The flashlights take about four hours to charge and provide four hours of use, and can be plugged into most USB ports. Definitely cool, but a whole lot less useful compared to a Maglight for clubbing intruders over the head. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Heinnie via Chip Chick via uber gizmo]

The OLED display is only two colors, but since it has such a hot body, you'll learn to ignore its other shortcomings. (Hey, just like real life!)

We'll have to wait a little while longer for price and release date. – Nicholas Deleon

Product Page [Maxfield via the Red Ferret Journal]

Product Page