Windows 7 to get more touchy-feely

For those wondering when touch features such as those found on the Surface PC or iPhone would make it into mainstream PCs, the answer appears to be "whenever Microsoft gets around to releasing Windows 7."

A Microsoft blogger said this week that the Vista successor will include an array of new touch features.

"I will say that if you are impressed by the 'touch features' in the iPhone, you'll be blown away by what's coming in Windows 7," said Hilton Locke, a test engineer on the Tablet PC effort. "Now if only we could convince more OEMs that Windows Touch Technology is going to drive their sales."

The posting, which was spotted earlier Wednesday by ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, didn't offer much in the way of details on what's coming in Windows 7.

Microsoft has talked about the notion of gestures since the early days of the Tablet PC, though its earliest concepts required a digital pen. With Vista, Microsoft introduced the notion of using fingers to navigate the operating system. HP used the feature in its TouchSmart PC, though other computer makers have yet to follow suit.

Late in the lifecycle of Windows XP, Microsoft added its Origami "touch pack," designed to pave the way for ultrasmall PCs that can be controlled with a finger.

[slickuser]

yeah yeah..

Who doesn't know Microsoft copies ideas from others and give a different spin in their products?<br /><br />Windows 7.. when is it coming out? 2015? How long do you think Apple need to implement iPhone interface in their desktop version of OSX? Few months possibly? iPhone runs on OSX. So, the touch interface support is already there in OSX. You just need the hardware support for Notebook etc.

[aka_tripleB]

Interfaces are OS independant

All that's needed to use the iPhone hardware is the right driver to translate the input into something the software can interpret. And seems how Microsoft already has a touch interface that can do everything the iPhone can do (and more, given the Surface PC demonstration), means that people just need to wait for hardware venders to begin release hardware that supports it.<br /><br />To say Microsoft is behind Apple is plain arrogance, especially seems how Microsoft has been using "touch" screens for quite some time now in laptops, and even longer in PDAs. And Microsoft's products even support handwritting recognition. Something the Newton had, but wan't put in iPhone. PPCs are more versitile; while the iPhone is a dedicated decive that can only do things that Apple programmed it to do.<br /><br />It's easy to bedazzle people when you only focus on what a device and do well. But when you start looking at what it can't do at all, you realize that the device isn't all that it was hyped up to be. Sure, I wish my PDA did a better job at playing digital media, but that's not why I bought it. I got it to have a small device to take to class so I can jot down some quick notes. I could write on it (what I prefered to do), use the onscreen keyboard, or I could have bought a keyboard to type with. On the other hand, the iPhone/iPod Touch plays digital media great, but when it comes to taking notes, it would not have worked for me. They are about equal when it come to browsing the internet, though the iPhone does have a nicer screen. Which is expected seems how it came out three or four years after my PDA did.

[The_happy_switcher]

Should be ready

in the year 2014 or so. By then Apple will probably have holographic Macs.

[rdgadz]

are you clueless?

apple the first touch phone.. lol? have you even seen the microsoft surface or all the other companies that far surpass the iphone's touch screen... aparently not. oh lets not forget the palm pilot of the 90s...<br /><br />its not a matter of the technology becoming available its the question of how developers use the technology in useful applications. <br /><br />why would you want to rotate a picture on a phone using 2 fingers just a few degrees clockwise? umm?? i just dont get it<br /><br />now 50 touch points on a table that can have any shape or size and even read barcodes, distance, and pressure.. That is what microsoft is talking about. Its not just pointing and clicking its a completely different way of interacting with technology.

[StargateFan]

Another Mac Mistake

Microsoft pioneered the Operating System Touch Technology back when Tablets where first tried. They brought it back again in 2001. It never has caught on but that is a different story. <br /><br />If you look at the time line of touch interfacing computers you will clearly see that Microsoft has indeed been the pioneering company as far as software. Even when compared to the Newton (released in 1993), which was released after the Windows 3.1 with Pen Computing (released 1992).

[aka_tripleB]

Windows 7 will probably be out in 1.5 to 2 years

When someone says Windows 7 inreguards to a handheld device, they're talking about Windows Mobile 7. WM has been coming out on a regular basis. WM5 came out in late 2004; WM6 came out late last year. So, if we continue the partern, one would say "Windows 7" will be out late next year.

[donjonl]

Microsoft Can't Even Get Vista Right!

With Vista Microsoft proved they couldn't even successfully copy most of what Apple already had for standard features in OS X. So now we're supposed to believe some nameless developer who says Microsoft is going to blow everybody away with its touchscreen capabilities?<br />Sure, we'll by that and we all still believe in the tooth fairy, too, right ?!

[yaZULU]

teehee

what i find funny is that there already trying to sweep Vista under <br />the carpet: "Bill what are you doing with the rounded edge box and <br />carpet?" "Look! its windows 7! better than anything you've ever <br />seen! heres XP SP3 now hold on till we blow your socks off!"

[StargateFan]

They Couldn't get ME right either...

yet XP is the most popular OS in the world. Just because they fail at one OS doesn't mean they can't fix their mistakes in the next. Since you brought up Apple lets look at the first few releases of Mac OS X, Apple didn't get it right until Tiger. <br /><br />Besides Win 7 is different then Vista it is a completely redesigned OS from scratch just like Mac OS X was. It includes a new kernel, a new file system, and who knows what else. I'm sure with the mistakes made in Vista, that Windows engineers will get smart when building an OS from scratch.<br /><br />Also as a follow up can you please tell me what features are new in Leopard which weren't already available for Windows. I can't seem to find any.

[Fat Drunk and Stupid]

Show Me On The Doll Where Windows 7 Touched You

I can't wait until 2015 when Windows 7 Service Pack 6 is released, Windows 8 is just beginning to gain acceptance, Windows 9 has a solid release date, and OEMs begin shipping the hardware necessary to make the Windows 7 touch interface functional.<br /><br />Good times!

[menotbug]

Ha ha ha.

Seriously, I just laughed out loud. That post and the associated <br />claim fail it so very hard. So very pathetically hard. <br /><br />It must suck to be genuinely excited about your product and yet <br />have management force you into making such outlandish (let alone <br />socially inept) claims...<br /><br />Good luck folks.

[jeromatron]

Competing against today's products

Enter the zune and windows 7. It sounds like Microsoft is competing against current products with their products of tomorrow. Besides that, what about winfs? Where is that? How seriously should we take future product plans?<br />I would think that Apple has some interesting plans given their recent patent applications for touch/hand interfaces. They're just secretive instead of over-promising, like Microsoft, so that people won't abandon them.

[Vegaman_Dan]

Credibility issues indeed

Remember that Steve Jobs stated Apple had no intent or interest in releasing a 3G version of the iPhone, citing battery technology limitations amongst other issues. Nevermind that other 3G phone makers don't have any of these issues that Jobs was worried about, but that's a different situation.<br /><br />And now Apple is releasing the 3G phone, the very device they said they weren't going to do. Orange of France leaked that information and now Apple is trying to push as many 2G iPhones as they can out the door.<br /><br />It does make me wonder just how credible we can take any OEM's claim these days. Jobs' reputation is on the line. If 3G phones are released officially, then he becomes a liar with intent to deceive. <br /><br />Let's see what happens.

[el_bowman]

Which decade?

Windows 7...hmmm...and when will these mind-blowing features reach us? And, what will Apple have released by then? More M$ Marketing hype.

[Proustian]

Star Trek touch screens

please let me know when we get "Star Trek" type touch screens for Windows or any other operating system.<br /><br />I can imagine Windows 7.0 looking exactly like this:<br /><a class="jive-link-external" href="http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Image:Startrek-BSoD.gif" target="_newWindow">http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Image:Startrek-BSoD.gif</a>

[rhsc]

Re: Star Trek touch screens

blue screen of death jokes haven't been original or funny since the 90s

[Commander_Spock]

That was a ~nice~ post "Proustian"!

Why use your "hands" when you can your "voice"!<br /><br /><a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iaa6TVyc-NI&#38;feature=related" target="_newWindow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iaa6TVyc-NI&#38;feature=related</a><br /><br />Best regards.<br /><br />Commander_Spock

[Ian Kirkland]

I imagine

that the seven in the moniker is the number of years they expect to <br />take to produce it. I wonder if it will offer the features that were <br />left out of VISTA?<br />2015 indeed and OS X will be up to version 9 or 10 by then. The <br />forthcoming tablet will, by then, be as thick as a clipboard, accept <br />hand and voice commands, have terabytes Nand Ram storage, <br />serve as a video phone and will provide a holographic keyboard for <br />any necessary text entry.

[expatincebu]

When will Vista get Vista?

MS already had to cut out 90% of the promised stuff that Vista was supposed to have because they could not make it work. The released version of Vista is XP SP3 with some eye candy thrown over the top. Now starts the promises of all the wonderful things that the next windows will have. LOL, we know how that will turn out.

[Understarsidream]

So very true...

I remember all the wonderful things they mentioned over the <br />years that Vista was supposed to have - almost all of them gone <br />by the wayside. They did deliver one thing though, on their <br />promise that each successive version of windows will be five <br />times the resource hog as the previous one with less speed. <br /><br />Example: A friend of mine who is still running Windows ME (she <br />uses is it to play solitaire and a couple other games) - her <br />system is faster at playing these games than her sons new Vista <br />Laptop. That's just sad.

[inpersonoz]

Revolutionary - not

So when it arrives in how many years? 5, 7? (maybe that's what the <br />version numbers mean) it will compare favorably with features of a <br />product available today. Revolutionary. Will owners of 7th <br />generation iPhones really be 'blown away' when it arrives? I doubt <br />it.

[Jim Hubbard]

What people REALLY want....

I just don't get it. The HP Touchscreen PC has been an absolute failure as a money-maker for HP and with good reason. <br /><br /> Just imagine using one at your desk everyday. You basically have 2 choices, to place it where your current monitor is and work arms outstreached all day or to lose desk space and have it in your face all day.<br /><br /> Not to mention the pitfalls inherant with touchscreen PCs - grimey screens, a great place to share colds and the flu...etc., etc., etc..<br /><br /> While touching a PC (like the HP touch screens) may be a neat parlor trick, talking to it would be fantastic.<br /><br /> Imagine a PC screen over your workspace in the kitchen that you could speak to for instructions, images and video on how to make a new dish for supper (without having to touch anything but the food) ? or a screen mounted on a mechanic?s toolbox that could talk him/her through a car?s diagnostic test or repair ? or even an in-car PC that a driver could talk to for directions or emails without having to take her hands off the wheel or eyes off the road (like OnStar for every vehicle ? not just GM) ? or a surgeon being able to call up info on a screen (like patient x-rays, MRIs, etc.) via voice alone that may help save a life. <br /><br /> The real advantages of touch-free (or voice) computing over traditional touch-computing are far too many to list here.<br /><br /> Why has this never been actualized? Perhaps it is due to the amount of system resources needed (CPU mostly). I know that this has been a limiting factor in the actualization of real-time voice control of your PC. But, with the advent of multi-core chips (and specifically the integration of graphics processing on AMD?s chips) voice processing integration (by utilizing a core optimized for voice processing) might be the answer.<br /><br /> A processor built into the core that was optimized for voice recognition (much the same way a gpu is optimized for graphics) would provide much better voice recognition capabilities than are currently possible, would not slow other processes on other cores and just might make talking to your PC (and it talking back) a reality. <br /> <br /> The AI that would be needed for true conversation with your PC may also need its own optimized core, but that could come after the core ability to speak to your PC and have it carry out your commands in real time.<br /><br /> Using such a system, even those little pocket PCs may become useful. Then you could talk to them instead of trying to type on their tiny screens.<br /><br /> Imagine a PC that you could talk to, and it could talk back. Then imagine that the PC?s main voice is the same as that of the Star Trek series? computer. <br /><br /> Selling this feature would be like shooting fish in a barrel (a whole lot of us geeks are suckers for anything Star Trek). The usefulness and novelty would catapult the first chip company to release it to the forefront of chip sales without even breaking a sweat. Add to that the multitude of areas that touch-free computing can help to advance ? like the OnStar-like capabilities of a car PC, the voice control and integration of the home and the life-saving abilities of an operating room voice PC and we think you?d have a winner that anyone would have a hard time matching.<br /><br /> And, making it easily programmable by hobbyist programmers (as well as professional programmers) would ensure that the voice technology found its way into applications of all types.<br /> <br /> So, who's gonna give us what we really want? Who knows? <br /><br /> About 9 months ago I contacted the president of Nuance and spoke with him about Dragon Naturally Speaking. I suggested that the product would be more accurate (and useful) if they developed a voice processing unit and placed it and adequate RAM on a board to install in your PC.<br /><br /> Predictably, nothing happened. So, I thought I'd try tossing the idea to AMD and Intel.<br /><br /> After trying fruitlessly to find a customer suggestion form on Intel or AMDs sites, I resorted to email (after several hone calls to find someone who'd actually admit to having a company email).<br /><br /> I got an email for Jan Boswell at AMD (supposed to be Dirk's assistant) and talked to her on the phone. After seeming to be very interested on the phone, Jan has refused to answer any emails concerning the suggestion. I mean she responds to NOTHING.<br /><br /> So, I went to Intel - first by phone then by email. The nice folks at Intel did talk to me about the idea and were very excited about it - but nobody knew if it was currently in development at the company or even how to find out if such a thing had ever been discussed or worked on. (That's right. It would seem that Intel they doesn't really know what's inside.)<br /><br /> I truly think that a speaking/listening PC is what people really want. PCs have become blaise'. They are boring little boxes that you interact *through* - not *with*.<br /><br /> What monumental changes in computing can you imagine with PCs that you truly interact *with*?<br /><br /> Want people to love your PC or chip company? Make them love their PC.<br /><br /> Jim Hubbard

[Commander_Spock]

Talking "Birds" On A Plane!

Read this post: "IBM VoiceType Dictation!"<br /><br />Your post is most interesting; but, how would you like to be on an airplane and all the other passengers are "talking away" at the top of their voices on their computers and cell phones all at once when you are about to take a "nap"!<br /><br />Live Long And Prosper.<br /><br />Spock

[zboot]

Yay, I can't wait

I use a tablet pc - actually a convertible - a thinkpad x60 tablet. It is pretty awesome. Someone mentioned it being in place of a desktop. . . I suppose you could do that with a normal tablet. . but why? Tablets are not desktop replacements. . . As for dirty screens. . . that's a problem for people who didn't think too far into the future. I got a screen protector for my tablet. Perfectly transparent. Easy to clean though it really has never actually gotten smudged by my fingers. Perhaps it's a property of the protector.<br /><br />Yeah, anytime you bring up touch interfaces, you have to compare it to the Iphone. Apple's product is amazing and has set a bar. However, keep in mind that a PC is likely always going to be more powerful than a phone. The capability to do more is there. It's a no brainer that a tablet can support more touch features than a phone. What can you do with an Iphone that I can't do with my tablet? Stick it in your pocket. Also, talk time using the Iphone is a lot longer than on my tablet though I think if we were to watch movies on both, we'd have roughly the same battery life.<br /><br />Why do I have a tablet? Well, I've had a laptop as my primary machine for several years now. It suits my lifestyle and usage pattern. I've always gone for powerful laptops in the 3 - 5lb range so thinkpads have always been high on my list. This tablet gives me power and utility in the same form factor that I like. It currently runs Windows XP Tablet. Maybe sometime soon, it will dual boot Ubuntu. But, Windows will likely be the primary OS. If MS is going to improve my touch screen experience, I say, more power to them.

[ServedUp]

Apple's already doing this and yet

we still hear how Microsoft yet again is following Apple's lead.<br /><br />It's quite the annoying little blog.

[richto]

And yet they were still there after Microsoft. As usual.

Microsoft have had touch screen technology out far longer than Apple.

[nbvail]

Funny for years ...

their promises have been vaporware

[Heebee Jeebies]

Touch Screen on a PC means...

Lots of arm and other strain that isn't good for the body. <br /><br />What I would like to see is Microsoft develop a Windows addition and a hardware add-on that gave you Pressure Sensitive Wacom like tablet capabilities on any monitor. Now that would be useful and cool.<br /><br />Robert

[StargateFan]

Wouldn't that put just as much strain on you?

n/a

[jcolletta275]

Strain? Are you serious?

Please... you'd get more arm strain moving PAPERS around on your DESK than you would touching a properly-positioned desktop monitor. Geez... next thing you know, people will be complaining because they had to turn their upper body slightly to answer the phone.

[kombi_2001]

It's not How microsoft It's When Macintosh

Microsoft is notorious for releasing ideas way before they are <br />ready in both functionality, code, and when the mainstream <br />adoption can occur. Take the Ipod and Iphone for instance.... It's <br />been done. The answer from Jobs is when... and now he ruling in <br />these two markets.<br /><br />And MS is playing catch up now since XP. Vista is a pure rip off <br />of OS-X. OS-X did it faster, did it cleaner, and doesn;t require <br />an energy sucking supercomputer of a graphics card to run it!

[maverick_nick]

Just another Mac fanboy...

Firstly, giving an audience insight into products that a company is working on isn't something that only Microsoft does as almost all companies do it. It instills faith in investors and gives consumers something to look forward to. Do you remember Apple TV?<br /><br />Secondly, "Longhorn" was in development a long time before Leopard was conceived. Vista is an evolution and not a rip-off. Can you dig it?<br /><br />Thirdly, you've probably never used Vista yet you comment on it as though you're well versed in it. I'm running Vista perfectly with integrated graphics and everything works perfectly.<br /><br />You shouldn't make uneducated comments!

[The_Decider]

MIcrosoft

Microsoft: Bringing you todays(and last weeks) technology, tomorrow. Err, make that sometime next month.

[Migraine]

Windows 7?????? Fix Vista First!!!!

Windows 7?????? Fix Vista First!!!!<br /><br />Thats the problem with Microsoft, They start on the next version before the finish the las one.....why WHY do they Do this????? <br /> <br />All Jokes aside I am a long time Hard core PC user but I am going to start now saving up for a Mac....it will take me from nw till Windows 7 comes out to save that much ...as a Mac Costs so Blankig much... <br /> <br />But I have just Had it with Microsof and Windows!

[maverick_nick]

Another uneducated comment.

Dude, you seriously need to learn how to speak proper English and perhaps work on your typing skills.<br /><br />Vista is done and dusted. Support will continue as it does with XP, and fixes &#38; service packs will be released over its lifespan.<br /><br />What many people don't realize is that XP was an evolution of an already stable platform, while Vista is more of a revolution as so much of the code has been written from scratch. As with every software product it requires time to mature.

[Understarsidream]

So we'll see this in 2014?

I don't really see much to get excited about. Given Microsoft's <br />history of shipping operating systems years late and (last I heard <br />so this may be wrong) major version of windows not being due <br />until 2010 at the earliest. <br /><br />I just don't see this as being something to get that excited about.

[huddie klein]

This reminds me of...

... Microsoft claiming there search would be more relevant then google's in about six months. That was more then a year ago... <br /><br />CNET should not post anything this unintentionally funny...

[taggartromkey]

I think MS hired Stephen Colbert to build Vista

I think Microsoft hired Stephen Colbert to build Vista. It runs like they did. <br /><br />My favorite screw ups with it was it crashing when i tried to play a DVD on it and it deciding it randomly didn't like my hardware. To make a long story short i upgraded to XP and PCLINUXOS 2007. <br /><br />As soon as MS pulls the plug on XP i think i will be using Linux full time.<br /><br />If MS was smart they would pull Vista and fix the all problems with it and cut the bloat then re-release it. Better yet take a product that actually works like 2K or XP patch the hell out of them and re-release them.<br /><br />Knowing MS they won't do that. I predict that over the next 4-5 years we will see Linux and Mac will really take off and slowly take over desktop computing.

[Gunady]

Sounds Familiar..

"Knowing MS they won't do that. I predict that over the next 4-5 years we will see Linux and Mac will really take off and slowly take over desktop computing."<br /><br />Hmm.. I think I have ever heard exactly the same thing, when Windows XP was released.

[jspencer09]

What about "cloud computing?"

I'm confused.. I thought MS would "die" because all you need is "thin client", and all your apps would be browser based and all your "private" data (yea right!) would be stored on Google's server, thereby eliminating the need for a "bloated" OS -- whatever happened to that glorious vision of the future? <br /> And the gaping, logical flaw in this premise? Cloud computing is going to kill ONLY MS? Only MS users are going to decide to switch to an on the wire OS? Wouldn't cloud computing also kill Mac OS and Linux? Or would they be magically exempted from this vision? <br />I'm sorry, I have heard so many predictions of the death of MS over the years, that I just can't keep them all straight.