Touch-screen system to make commercial debut with mobile carrier

US mobile carrier AT&T will become the first company to use Microsoft's touch-screen Surface system.

Surface was introduced with much fanfare last year. Microsoft sees the system as eventually becoming a standard feature for businesses such as hotels and restaurants.

AT&T will use Surface on its sales floor to showcase mobile devices, allowing users to view features and check for coverage in local areas.

The system uses device recognition in which handsets can be placed on the screen and device-specific information displayed.

The Surface systems will debut on 19 April at AT&T stores in New York, San Francisco, Atlanta and San Antonio.

If the pilot programmes are successful, AT&T will consider implementing the systems in 2,200 stores across the US.