Josh's Windows Weblog » Windows 7 likes it when you touch

Windows 7 likes it when you touch

As predicted Windows 7 did make a cameo last night at the D6 conference during Bill and Steve's session.  The demo consisted largely of Microsoft's multi-touch technology that is typically seen with Microsoft Surface, or more recently Touchwall demo's. That technology is being ported to Windows 7 and will bring the touch experience to the average consumer. Here is a video of what was basically shown last night at D6.


Video: Multi-Touch in Windows 7

Microsoft added the usual caveats that the applications shown might* not make it in, but the underlying technology support is going in.  So, if we are to believe the under-promise over-deliver self imposed directive extends to Bill & Steve then you might put money on this getting in.

  • Larson-Green notes that what we’re seeing is an app that *might* be developed for Windows 7. This demo is all about showcasing Windows 7’s potential.
  • Walt asks if multi-touch is built throughout the OS. Larson-Green says it is.

    • What do you think?  Are you ready to start touching your computer?

    Posted May 28 2008, 05:58 AM by Josh Phillips
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    Comments

    sscott wrote re: Windows 7 likes it when you touch
    on 05-29-2008 7:22 AM

    I think touchscreen is interesting, but I really don't know how useful it will be to the "average" user.  

    Josh Phillips wrote re: Windows 7 likes it when you touch
    on 05-29-2008 7:29 AM

    I agree....to me speech and search should be the focus to truely change an OS as we know it.  Nailing these could make a real difference.  

    That said I do think there are some niches that touch could be great.  Media Center could do some cool things with projecting on a wall....os a sideshow device that had a touch screen to flip through albums...

    I certainly see oppertunity, I am not jumping for joy over his as the average consumer won't likely have hardware that supports it.

    Mike Halsey wrote re: Windows 7 likes it when you touch
    on 05-30-2008 3:57 AM

    This leak is I think exactly what Steven Sinofsky was trying to avoid and I think it's a bad move for Microsoft.

    As it's currently all we have to go on for Windows 7 and as the same feature was touted as 'really cool' in Microsoft Surface and the iPhone that's what people and the press will probably say about this.  

    Thing it however it's just another feature and NOT by any stretch of the imagination, a killer app that will make 7 the must have OS upgrade.  People were touting Windows Sideshow too a couple of years ago and I can't think of a single laptop out today that uses it!

    If Microsoft are to leak anything, it should be news about better memory usage, a smaller, more cross-compatible kernel, overall performance increases and the like.  These are the things that were and still are the barriers to Vista adoption for many people.

    My two cents.

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