Microsoft touches more on Windows 7

Microsoft has already gone into plenty of detail about the touch features in Windows 7. In fact, touch was the first thing that the company shared when it came to how Windows 7 would look and feel.

But for those that really want to go deep, the company on Wednesday posted an even more detailed look at the thinking that went into building touch into Windows 7.

The company also noted that it continues to tweak the way gestures work as it gets more feedback from the beta version of Windows 7 that was released in January. For example, in its earlier incarnation, the recognition engine was missing many quickly performed gestures.

"We tuned the gesture detection engine with sample gesture input provided by real people using touch in pre-release builds," Microsoft said in the blog posting. "These tuned gestures are what you will see in the (release candidate) build."

The company also notes which touch-capable machines already in the market support the pre-release versions of Windows 7, namely HP 's TouchSmart All-in-One PCs (IQ500 series & IQ800 series), its TouchSmart tx2 Tablet PC, and Dell's Latitude XT or XT2 Tablet PC.

The blog goes into a lot of detail on how the gestures work and how the company tests the features. Because it's sometimes easier to see something in action, I've included two videos--one that I did last fall and another that Microsoft posted on Wednesday along with its blog.

Here's our earlier video:

and Microsoft's:

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:891c68b3-a534-4159-b6b2-8e4ac56b6890&showPlaylist=true" target="_new" title="Windows 7 Touch Gestures">Video: Windows 7 Touch Gestures</a>

[vincentyu2007]

In the first video, I'd prefer you placing the camera at your left side since you're demonstrating touch with your right hand! Your hand is obstructing the view!

[carlg113]

Win 7 touch looks quite impressive! Any idea if there is an on screen keyboard?<br /><br />I've never wanted a tablet laptop before but i might pick one up when this is released.

[mickeymjay]

I have heard that there is.

[toosday]

Yep, I've seen the on-screen keyboard demoed. If I recall correctly, it slides out from the left or right side of the screen.

[frankwick]

There has been on on-screen keyboard since XP.

[jedmmj11]

frankwick <br />"There has been on on-screen keyboard since XP."<br /><br />If you haven't noticed, the buttons on the present version are kinda microscopic, making it a tad difficult to touch the correct letter. and i think ppl want to literally type with to hands.

[jedmmj11]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/john_lam/2986776815/

[spacydog]

Looks pretty cool. Yet, the market seems to be more geared towards laptops (tablet pcs) and not desktop pcs at the moment. I haven' seen many touch-enabled LCD monitors for desktop pcs in the market but hopefully Win7 will help drive sales for this new market.

[ace10134]

HP Touchsmart PC <br /> <br />very good touch screen all-in-one PC

[VicHeitmann]

new standards....new problems ...<br /><br />I mean the speed in gettting to where u want with keyboard is amazing ...I can only dream about how fast we can do things with touchscreens ...because ive tested the Hp's touch ...and that my friends ..IS LAG lag lag lag lag lag ...so FIX the lag microsoft ...

[tcr071]

I don't know what HP Touchsmart you have been using but I've used three or four of them and never once felt lag. Perhaps there was a problem with the machine you were using or it was an extremely underpowered machine.

[Jeff.Smith]

I smell a lawsuit. Apple filed a patent in April of 2008 which was recently awarded to them on Jan 20th, 2009 that patents the use of "?a computer-implemented method for use in conjunction with a computing device with a touch screen display comprises: detecting one or more finger contacts with the touch screen display, applying one or more heuristics to the one or more finger contacts to determine a command for the device, and processing the command." (Patent # 7,479,949)<br /><br />As I read it, this is directly related to the motions and gestures that were in the video clips, specifically the "swipe" and "pinch" motions. I'm not sure if there is some legal loophole that I am missing, but if Apple threatened to go after Palm for using multi-touch, then I think that they will most definitely go after Microsoft especially if it is a success.<br /><br />All that being said. I like the new windows 7 and the tech looks very smooth. Can't wait for it to hit the market. :-)<br /><br />Sources<br />US Patent Office: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&#38;Sect2=HITOFF&#38;p=1&#38;u=/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html&#38;r=1&#38;f=G&#38;l=50&#38;co1=AND&#38;d=PTXT&#38;s1=7479949.PN.&#38;OS=PN/7479949&#38;RS=PN/7479949<br /><br />World of Apple News: http://news.worldofapple.com/archives/2009/01/26/apple-awarded-multi-touch-patent/

[Vegaman_Dan]

Apple may have a patent, but that isn't worth much when there is prior art in existance (Windows Surface, most PDA's from the 90's, etc). <br /> <br />The days of Apple and MSFT suing each other are gone- neither one would get any sort of positive PR as a result and would lose out regardless of the actual results.

[DrtyDogg]

Dell released a multi-touch laptop 3 months after that filing, the computer had been out prior to it, though the multi-touch drivers where still in beta.

[tcr071]

There will not be any lawsuit. Microsoft already has patents pertaining to multi-touch from the Surface and pre-existing technologies.

[rapier1]

The key are the heuristics that are covered by the patent. In this case the heuristics are kind of limited and don't cover things like pincg and zoom. Mostly it deals with ignoring unintended off-axis movement when scrolling and determing when the user is moving in a fixed axis versus freeform movement. <br /> <br />This is a very good analysis of the actual impact of the patent. <br />http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/28/apple-vs-palm-the-in-depth-analysis/

[MaLvaDo39]

So they took Apple's iPhone functionality and put in into a larger chassis?<br />What's next? A big ass table?

[frankwick]

Actually, I believe Surface was developed prior to the iphone. See the big table you mentioned.

[Vegaman_Dan]

The Surface is not somethign that will ever come to your home as a consumer device, but it makes a great hotel lobby display / interactive station. I can see it working in a shopping mall for directories or just as any interactive terminal. It's something you have to really experience to appreciate fully.

[giant_david]

Yes, and the porn industry must be with an eye on it.

[tcr071]

Actually Apple took MS Surface, took away a lot of functionality, and put it into a smaller chassis and called it the iPhone. Nice try on the spin though. Do some research next time.

[topgunb2]

research for an apple fanboy??? yeah sure, once he's free off steve job's hypnotism

[shellcodes_coder]

looks damn cool

[Angmarr]

Ow man this is gonna be soo fricking cool!

[seven7dust]

ya this is cool ! but use it for 5 minutes and it's arm pain <br />touchscreens r meant for small screen devices{maybe netbooks}<br />they won't be used much in Laptop and desktop Computers !

[DarkHawke]

On the plus side, though, think of all the geeks with toned (if not muscular) arms that will result from all the touch screen interaction. Microsoft is saving us from seeing folks wave at you twice with one arm!

[goodspeed8701]

Wow this is gonna make me buy a new hp touchsmart. I will surely get it.

[ldpldp]

I see once serious problem. Ergonomics. Its one thing to hold a device in your hand at waist level to manipulate the screen with your finger (s). It is another thing to have to hold your arm out to a vertical screen to manipulate the screen. For some people, that will become tiresome real fast.

[homercles82]

Looks good and it comes with copy/paste/cut instead of rolling it out 2 years later and marking it a big event. <br /> <br />I thought will avoid touchscreen as long as possible. I likes me some keyboard and mouse.

[reader69]

Good review, but dude, clip your nails. I thought I was watching a chick's hand...

[nihouma]

Ina is a chick...

[QuadFather]

... crickets ...

[sorennissen]

It is ecstatically fun just to observe and yes, it does look really cool. However, I wouldn't personally invest any money whatsoever as I feel this particular line is way too volatile/risky.

[tcr071]

Is this a man or a woman? Very confused.

[Inconnux]

read the bio at the bottom of the page. Explains everything

[topgunb2]

what does it have to do with windows 7??? you wouldn't buy it if it was demonstrated by a man (or a woman) ?

[Inconnux]

I could care less about 'touch features'. I want realistic real world progress such as backwards compatibility for hardware/software that was designed for Windows XP. Until then I am still not interested.

[rapier1]

Yes, we must maintain compatibility with 8 to 12 year old hardware. IT IS CRITICAL!!! <br />oh wait, no its not. <br />My bad!

[Inconnux]

how about 3 yr old technology... try Autocad Lite 2006. But of course you probably don't have anything invested into software other than a few games... for 99.9% of businesses the #1 factor in upgrading is backwards compatibility for the software they use. so yes it IS CRITICAL.

[nutso101]

Looks like we'll have to buy more equipment for the touch screen. How much will all this upgrading cost us?

[rapier1]

Nothing if you don't want it.

[grossj144]

I think the touch technology will go over quite well in the educational market. If you've ever had to wipe a monitor clean after a child finishes "computing" then you know what I mean. Not to mention, there is definitely some usefulness for people who are developmentally challenged. Trying to move a keyboard or mouse with any precision can be difficult for those with motor skill and certain cognitive issues. Using their finger to "point" to something on the screen is going to be an easier skill to learn (relative to the keyboard and mouse). <br /> <br />Plus, Smartboard technology, while fundamentally different, has been around for quite a few years. I love being able to touch the board and manipulate Windows with just a finger. I think that touch technology makes far more sense, overall, to our mind than trying to manipulate a keyboard and/or mouse. <br /> <br />Of course, only time will tell if the market really wants to have this type of technology. If touchscreens remain expensive or solely the domain of integrated computer systems, then I see the technology achieving nothing more than novelty status. If HP, Samsung, etc can see clear to making stand-alone monitors with touchscreens integrated into them, we could see another computing revolution in the making (major or minor remains to be seen). Price and availability, along with interesting programs that are optimized for touchscreen gestures, will drive the adoption rate for the technology. Again, only time will tell.