Go To Latest Video ReviewsGates & Ballmer Detail 'Multi-touch' Windows 7
| Author | Gordon Kelly |
| Published | 28th May 2008 |
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TrustedReviews NewslettersIf there was any doubt multi-touch technology - first seen in the Apple iPhone - was a game changing moment, then just take a look at what Microsoft has planned for Windows 7...
The All Things D conference in Carlsbad, California was given the first official public unveiling for Vista's successor last night and Microsoft head honchos Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer gave what they described as the "smallest snippet" of Windows 7 and touch control was at the heart of it. Using control methods similar to those seen in both the iPhone and Microsoft's own Surface table computer, the duo demonstrated how photo galleries and maps can be manipulated by single finger dragging and two finger zooming and panning. A paint programme for the (extremely) dexterous can also be used with up to 10 fingers as can entertainment features such as on onscreen piano.
Away from the touchy feely stuff the Windows 7 interface was also shown to be radically different to the system largely stuck with since Windows 95. Instead Windows 7 looks to be moving more to a (whisper it) Mac OS X style dock though just how lawsuit triggering similar this will stay come the final product remains to be seen.
With a 2010 release date now firmly Microsoft's focus those loyal PC users looking to skip Vista entirely could be in for a bit of luck. Fingers crossed all these cool features don't get stripped away to meet (and still miss) deadlines as happened last time...
Update: A Windows Multi-touch SDK is allegedly now being planned for October. So after copying the look of Mac OS X, Microsoft is going after the development strategy too...
Links:
All Things Digital - Transcipt
Vista Blog 'Multi-touch' Release - With Video
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Oliver Levett said on 27th October 2008
Gordon said on 27th October 2008
We've said exactly the opposite, Apple just successfully brought it to the masses first:
http://www.trustedreviews.com/home/review/2007/11/29/TrustedReviews-Awards-200... more
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I'm sure multi-touch has been around longer than the iPhone (but you're Mac fanboys and the marketing said it was invented by Apple, so it must have been created by them!... more