AT&T will soon install Microsoft Surface in their retail store, letting customers the ability to explore their mobile worlds using touch and device-recognition technology. Beginning April 17, customers can experience Microsoft Surface in select AT&T retail locations, including stores in New York City, Atlanta, San Antonio and San Francisco.

Microsoft Surface is a 30-inch table-like display that gives individuals or multiple people the opportunity to interact with devices and content in a way that feels familiar - by using touch, gestures and placement of devices on the display. In essence, it’s a surface come to life for exploring, learning, sharing, creating, buying and much more.

The interactive touch displays, which will work without a traditional mouse or keyboard, will allow customers to:

• Learn. Customers can review features of a particular mobile device by simply placing it on the display. Surface will recognize the device and provide a graphical overview of its capabilities. Customers can place two devices side by side on the unit and easily compare their features.
• Explore. Customers can view interactive coverage maps at the national, state, local or street level, using simple touch and hand movement to scale and move the maps, determining a customer’s coverage area.
• Customize. In the future, customers will be able to drag and drop ringtones, graphics, video and more by “grabbing” content with their hands from a menu on the display and “dropping” it into the phone.

AT&T plans to unveil the new displays in stores in New York City, Atlanta, San Antonio and San Francisco on April 17, followed by additional stores in other markets based on the of the first phase of deployment.