We have two (count 'em!) microwaves in our kitchen--one on a customized shelf above the counter, and another just sitting on the countertop nearby. With the unit on the shelf, it's difficult (and sometimes dangerous) for a relatively short person (my wife) to put heavy items in and take them out (hot!) of the unit. Plus it's difficult to see inside of cooking containers to check on the status of the food as it cooks. As for the other unit, she complains that it hogs precious counter space.
My suggestion is for a microwave that has its door on *top* instead of on the front, and is integrated into the countertop such that when the door is closed its surface is flush with the rest of the counter around it. The microwave would take up effectively no counterspace. This way one could put in or take out food more easily, especially if it is a heavy item like a full cassarole dish, and one could also see directly down into the (presumably clear-topped) container as cooking progressed.
I know there are some disadvantages to this idea, such as the need to keep the door area clear for access, at least at the time when it needs to be opened. Also, the crevices around the door would tend to collect crumbs and the like. The door would also need to be made of a very durable, extremely scratch-resistant material (perhaps having a replaceable top layer that can be changed every few years).
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You know that back corner space in kitchen cabinets where you can't really store anything. A pop-up unit that fits in that space and rotates out diagonally would be nice.
Make a shelving unit that mounts in that space where you can put any appliance you want. A microwave, or a convection oven, a steamer, or just shelving for pantry items.
James
Although the conception of saving space is good a kitchen is a place where water is used freely and a spill on a counter top that might leak down into a powerful electric unit might be dangerous.
What might work out better is a top loading microwave in a drawer under the counter so that water cannot leak down into the unit but the unit can be pulled out to be loaded and unloaded. Controls could be on the drawer front.
I saw a microwave oven on the Food Network that looked like a regular oven but to open it you pulled the door out like a drawer. They didn't go into detail about the manufacturer but the oven had the word "SMART" on the drawer. Google smart and the hits are more than I care to sift.