The IACM is going to equip, on 28 April, the Macao Giant Panda Information Centre (in Seac Pai Van Park in Coloane) with Macao’s first Microsoft Surface multi-touch computer, which will enable several users to interact using Microsoft’s proprietary Byte Tag technology on a multi-player game platform, which offers a new and interactive way for citizens and visitors to learn about the giant pandas.

The Microsoft Surface is a 30-inch desktop computer featuring simultaneous multi-touch and multi-player interface. Instead of using the keyboard or mouse, the computer can be run by screen touches or hand gestures. The computer will host a game known as “More Food More Points”, via which four players can compete with one another by seizing the right food and feed it to the giant pandas within a designated time limit.

The computer will also host a database called “To Know More About Giant Pandas”, which can be accessed using Byte Tag technology. This technology enables the computer to identify black-and-white object images. The user can simply print out an image and place it on the computer. The computer then identifies the image and retrieves related data and displays them on screen in the forms of texts, pictures, video clips, etc. The user can also transfer the retrieved content to a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone, by a convenient touch or two.