[vicsireland] Re: Microsoft demos next version of Windows
- From: "Flor Lynch" <florlync@xxxxxx>
- To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 12:47:57 +0100
It will be a lot sooner than 2019. If not 2009, then probably 2011 or
20012. Look at what we have, the 'much maligned' Vista being the current
version. Microsoft want to replace Vista (and XP, too, of course.)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tim Culhane" <tim.culhane@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 11:28 AM
Subject: [vicsireland] Re: Microsoft demos next version of Windows
Hmmm.
First, due in 2009? more like 2019 I would think!
Second, Another example of the push to "touch" everything you can see ...
Though in the case of PCS I'm not so concerned about the touch sensitive
interface. It is only going to be another method for people to do things,
and to be honest, dragging and dropping stuff or shrinking or enlarging
photos aren't up there in the top ten things blind or partially sighted
people do on their PCs.
As long as there is always a keyboard equivalent for doing things then
that's ok.
The problem with terminals such as ticket machines and ATMs is we don't have
an alternative right now, and will have an even more difficult problem once
touch screens become mainstream.
There was a fleeting mention of "speech" in the article, as a future
interface, but I doubt it will ever get much attention.
Tim
-----Original Message-----
>From: vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Ciaran Ferry
Sent: 28 May 2008 11:11
To: vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [vicsireland] Microsoft demos next version of Windows
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7422924.stm>
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: <file://www.esb.ie> www.esb.ie
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