[vicsireland] Microsoft demos next version of Windows
- From: "Ciaran Ferry" <Ciaran.Ferry@xxxxxx>
- To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 11:11:23 +0100
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7422924.stm
Microsoft's next operating system (OS) will come with multi-touch
features as an alternative to the mouse.
It is hoped the successor will have a better reception than the
much-maligned Vista OS, released last year.
Scheduled for release in 2009 the new fingertip interface lets users
enlarge and shrink photos, trace routes on maps, paint pictures or play
the piano.
"The way you interact with the system will change dramatically," said
Microsoft chairman Bill Gates.
Speaking at the All Things Digital conference in San Diego, the
Microsoft Chairman said Windows 7 would incorporate new forms of
communication and interaction.
"Today almost all the interaction is keyboard-mouse. Over years to come,
the role of speech, vision, ink - all of those things - will be huge."
Chief executive Steve Ballmer described the limited demo of the multi
touch screen at the conference as "a small snippet" of the next version
of Windows
after admitting he wants "to do better" than Vista.
Even though Vista has suffered from a poor public image and a lukewarm
welcome from many firms and users, Mr Ballmer said the company has
shipped 150 million
copies of the programme.
Touch enabled
Industry watchers say Microsoft is hoping that Windows 7 can change the
way people interact with PCs in the future.
"Touch is quickly becoming a common way of interacting with software and
devices," writes Windows product manager Chris Flores in a blog post.
touch screen
The new touchscreen aims to be an alternative to the computer mouse
"Touch-enabled surfaces are popping up everywhere including laptop touch
pads, cell phones, remote controls, GPS devices and more."
When challenged as to who will get to market first with a new touch
screen device, Microsoft or Apple, Mr Ballmer said it was not much of an
issue.
"We'll sell 290 million PCs and Apple will sell 10 million Pcs."
"They're fantastically successful and so are we and our partners. But
it's a different job. Steve (Jobs Apple CEO) can flip his hand and sell
a few models
and I don't take a thing away from him."
Website Beta News reports that "beta testing of the product should begin
later this year although a lack of touch-screen devices could slow
widespread trials
of the new interface".
We walked away
During the conference, CEO Steve Ballmer also talked about the company's
failure to buy Yahoo, following its offer of $47.5 billion.
"Look, we made a bid for Yahoo. It was out there for three months and
there was a difference between bid and ask."
"We thought we could accelerate our business. We were going to be
financially disciplined about it. We walked away. We are talking with
them about other
ideas but we are not re-bidding on the company. We reserve the right to
do so. That's not on the docket."
Mr Gates said: "I've been supportive of everything Steve has done.
Totally supportive."
World's best search
While many attending the D6 conference focused on the Windows 7
announcement and comments on Yahoo, a spotlight was also turned on Bill
Gates who is counting
down to his last day at Microsoft on 1 July.
At a reception earlier in the day, Mr Gates chatted to reporters about
what the future holds for him. He said even though he was retiring from
his "daily
duties" at the firm he founded, he wouldn't be letting go completely.
Instead of spending 80% of his time at Microsoft and 20% at the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation he would now reverse that.
Mr Gates, who will remain as chairman of Microsoft, said he would still
have an office in Redmond and spend time writing, thinking and working
on a variety
of pet projects including the next generation Microsoft Office.
"I'm very involved in search, the internal development," he said. "We
will build the world's best search."
Ciaran Ferry
Web & e-Services,
ICT Group, ESB,
27 Lower Fitzwilliam St,
Dublin 2, Ireland.
Tel: +353-1-70(27945)
Email: Ciaran.Ferry@xxxxxx
Web: www.esb.ie
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