Windows 7: Microsoft's touchy-feely launch

NEW YORK--Whereas the Manhattan launch of Windows Vista was largely about the glitz, Thursday's event here was more hands-on tech demo than Hollywood premiere.

Most of the focus at the Windows 7 event was on showing off new PC models and showing how they connect with one another and with other devices, such as high-definition televisions, cameras, and photo frames.

Also on display were a large number of touch-screen models, both laptop and all-in-one desktop varieties, with many running Microsoft's Touch Pack, which includes Surface applications such as Virtual Earth and Lagoon.

But the device that attendees most wanted to get their hands-on--Dell's Adamo XPS--was quickly whisked away after being shown off by Microsoft's Mike Angiulo during the keynote.

Photos: Windows 7 launches in New York

* * * Another touchy subject
If any Windows Vista Ultimate owners were still holding their breath that Microsoft might yet rescue them with a free or ultralow-cost upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate, they might as well exhale.

Vice President Brad Brooks told CNET News that the answer was a straightforward "no," though it is a decision he said he understands is disappointing. Brooks, as did Tami Reller in an interview earlier this month, pointed to the fact that some Ultimate owners were among those that held house parties and thus did get a free copy of Ultimate.

* * * On the plus side, there's no need to check a bag
In keeping with the event's more low-key nature, even the swag bag was a bit, shall we say, skimpy.

Inside was a T-shirt, a puzzle, a poster, a deck of cards, and the Steve Ballmer edition of Windows 7 Ultimate--essentially some of the same goodies given to those that hosted Windows 7 house parties. With Vista, by contrast, launch attendees got a copy of Office, a Windows game, an Xbox controller, and, of course Vista.

The Windows 7 bag itself was one of those reusable shopping bags, rather than the shoulder bag needed to hold all of the Vista goodies. That said, I'm sure that the Windows 7 launch had a much smaller carbon footprint.

* * * The other Steve
While Steve Ballmer was in new York, the other Steve--Windows unit President Steven Sinofsky--was across the globe, presiding over the Japanese launch of the product.

Although some of us in the domestic press core thought that perhaps Sinofsky was just trying to avoid us, Sinofsky said in his remarks in Japan that he was there because of the importance of that market.

"In fact, many people have been asking me, 'Why are you here working on the launch of Windows 7 in Japan and not with your boss in New York?'" Sinofsky said in his speech there. "We are very passionate and excited about the support that we're receiving from the Japanese market. And particularly because of the Japanese attention to the product quality and the development of Windows 7, which makes it so important for us to make sure that we're in touch with the Japanese customers."

Sinofsky also noted the fact that Japan is home to a number of PC makers and a leader in consumer electronics, such as the many televisions with which Windows 7 aims to connect.

Really, being in Japan is about being part of the Windows ecosystem that really starts here in Japan," Sinofsky said. "And it's great to be here to recognize the great contribution that everybody here in Japan makes to the development of Windows 7 for all of our customers around the world."

And here it is (on right), your Hallmark moment:

Defiantly put a smile on my face, it's a cute entry for sure.

Petto-McRapist err I mean Balmer, it's a good thing your pits were not soaked this time, I would have felt sorry for the little kid.

[Vegaman_Dan]

It may have been corny and full of schtick, but... well, Kylie is an adorable little kid who makes for a good PR image.

How can you not smile when watching her or hearing her tell Steve he was late? It's cute!

[markosph]

Yes, she does. I don't like Ballmer that much though.

[Seaspray0]

tami reller - yowsa!
kylie - corny but cute. can we say "awwwwww..."
ballmer - CEO but still looks like the creature in young dr frankenstein. Divert eyes to the goodie bag.

Yep, smart choice for the hallmark moment. :-P

[shycelticwitch]

Just the title of this article makes my skin crawl.... ewwwwww.

[Seaspray0]

I bet it made steve jobs skin crawl, too.

[shycelticwitch]

Just like it would anyone else with enough intelligence to understand that you can't get up close and personal with software.... and if they're talking about the little girl.. iId be concerned, not grossed out.

[Seaspray0]

Or... cults of a feather have their skin crawl together.

[shycelticwitch]

Give it up... you're just babbling now. LOL Hope writing poetry isn't your full time job. Oh.. wait... being on CNET and trashing Apple is your full time job.

[cynch72]

I love Windows 7! You guys need to STOP harping on Windows Vista! It's soooo old news... Grow up, Move on, Enjoy the new things Windows 7 has top offer. Stop being a kid who keeps on whining. And, stop expecting hand outs! It's embarrassing!

[citrusonic]

Change is ahead, Mac OS is still better and soon it wont be a secret anymore. This thing can run on your crappy hardware lol

[Sonyfanboy92]

@citrusonic
Change???What are you talking about? Mac has never been better then windows, Leopard was a Fail, Seven is the greatest OS seen Since.......well ever, You should Grow up, and your comment BTW doesn't make since, and whats so special about apple hardware? It cost 3 times as much for the same thing?

[sanjayb]

Yeah, yeah Sonyboy. Spouting the usual untruths's about the Mac. Why don't u ditch your Viao and try a Macbook. You might learn a few things.

[baconstang]

To my friends whom bought Vista, my condolences. Time to pay up sucker, I told you so.

[topgunb2]

wow a day and no reply, i felt pity for you and replied, come up with some thing better

[Seaspray0]

Steve and the cult of mac won't allow him to have any friends that use windows.

[streamline35]

baconstang, trolling as usual. *yawn*

[AluminumMonster]

Honestly i was waiting for Chris Hansen, and the To Catch a Predator crew to come busting out when Steve was hugging Kylie.

Jokes aside, MS did pick a great face for Windows 7, and im sure alot of people were alot more receptive in Windows 7with their marketing approach.

[PulSamsara]

Why is Balmer the 'face of Microsoft ?
Like descending into obscurity ?

[thydavidcome]

Bill Gates retired and lets be honest Balmer has a way of attracting attention.

[colloquor]

Let's see now, the Mac s superior to a PC. But, many Mac users run Windows on the Mac. Hmm... it seems like it should be a two way street. Apple - let PC users run Snow Leopard on their PCs. But wait, that would kill the Apple hardware market - wouldn't it.

My son works in a large book publishing house, and uses XP on a PC, and Snow Leopard on the Mac. Guess which one crashes more often? Hint, it's not the PC.

Give Windows 7 a break... it looks to be an excellent OS.

[Mystigo]

Is it possible that the applications your son is using are poorly written? It may not be the OS'es fault. The real measure of OS performance would be how many times does he have restart the machine due to crashes. If the answer is none, then its actually a sign of a very good OS.

[smpimacG5]

@coloquor

Dude, you are such the liar! First off Mac OS SL doesn't crash! Every program is insulated from the main OS, so if anything were to go wrong only the program itself would crash AND THAT means a faulty 3rd party application. Unlike Shoddy Windows whose Blue screen is notorious on a daily basis, because each program must fully rely on the main OS to work..

Maybe you should find out the REAL facts before you start spouting out your mouth...Go back to you Windows fanboy club and watch as Mac OS kicks windows butt!

Can't wait until Windows is once again the laughing stock of the OS world..Oh wait its Still is!!

[Igiveup2]

"Unlike Shoddy Windows whose Blue screen is notorious on a daily basis,"

Toto, I don't think we're in 1998 any more.

[Reaper0700]

@ SmpimacG5

I own four Windows PC's that I use every day at home for various things: Desktop, Laptop, Netbook, and Server, plus the PCs at Work. All running Either Vista, XP, or Home Server. I'm what would be considered a power user, but I haven't seen the blue screen in about five years.

That would be far from the "notorious...daily basis" Not since ME and XP before service pack 1 do I think people have seen the blue screen close to "daily". So maybe you should also get some real facts, or at least stop exaggerating.

@Sonyfanboy92

Also stop exaggerating, Apple Hardware is only about $200 to $600 more then a PC with comparable specs, depending on model. I mean by your name I believe you are Sony Fan boy, you also pay $200 to $600 dollars more for comparable hardware.

[Igiveup2]

I was waiting for Kylie to start dancing across the stage yelling "developers, developers, developers....."

[pugster]

Steve is exploiting Children to sell Windows.

[heygeo]

Apple exploits children everyday.. taken a look at a 1st - 3rd grade classroom recently?
Apple is a predator which always targets the young or the sick of the pack... which are u?

[mistasandman]

My daughter has a Mac that crashes ALL the time... My PC hasn't had a crash since Vista. Which is better? Hmmmm I think we know ;)

[Mystigo]

Are you the same person that wrote the " my son works in a.. " etc comment above? Try to make the FUD a little less obvious.

[shanzaiTaiPan]

If you think the swag was skimpy in Manhattan... you should see what we got in Asia!!

http://www.shanzai.com/index.php/market-mayhem/news/343-review-win-7-launch-materials-asian-style

[Worf101]

Well, I sincerely hope Windows 7 is everything they say it is. But if you needed a reminder as to how Microsoft does business just look at the pineapple job they just did on Windows Vista Ultimate users.... Shame, low down dirty shame. Never let "what's right" interfere with what makes money.

Worf

[godseyesore]

Windoze7
Ho-hum...

[jerry5040]

Classic Microsoft arrogance! The woman at the registration booth was not only rude but uninviting
to technical and business people who came to this event! Located at SkyLight LLC on Hudson Street in SoHo, near the Holland tunnel, this event was poorly promoted and poorly attended. Also very poor service to the public, too, who would have supported the new operating system if given a chance to see Windows 7 in action. Too many people eager to see this new version of Windows were turned away at the door!