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:
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina. 
I've never wanted a tablet laptop before but i might pick one up when this is released.
"There has been on on-screen keyboard since XP."
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.
very good touch screen all-in-one PC
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 ...
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.
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. :-)
Sources
US Patent Office: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7479949.PN.&OS=PN/7479949&RS=PN/7479949
World of Apple News: http://news.worldofapple.com/archives/2009/01/26/apple-awarded-multi-touch-patent/
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.
This is a very good analysis of the actual impact of the patent.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/28/apple-vs-palm-the-in-depth-analysis/
What's next? A big ass table?
touchscreens r meant for small screen devices{maybe netbooks}
they won't be used much in Laptop and desktop Computers !
I thought will avoid touchscreen as long as possible. I likes me some keyboard and mouse.
oh wait, no its not.
My bad!
- by grossj144 March 27, 2009 6:14 AM PDT
- 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).
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(42 Comments)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.
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.