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Full Version: Microsoft to Add Multitouch Interface to Windows 7
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Taco Bell
In an interesting but perhaps unsurprising move, Microsoft plans to add multitouch interface to Windows 7, CNET News.com has learned. The interface will be shown in just a few minutes as part of Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates' keynote at the D6 event here.

Ballmer says it will come in late 2009. Corporate VP Julie Larson-Green demonstrated the multitouch technology, painting with several fingers at the same time to show how it can process not just touch, but multiple simultaneous input.

"It's much faster to do certain tasks than using a mouse," Larson-Green said. She also showed rotating photos by pinching and rotating, much like Microsoft's surface or Apple's iPhone.

Microsoft had previously hinted that the touch gestures would find their way into Windows. In an interesting twist though, the new technology will work with existing touch screens, Microsoft said. They showed it running on an existing Dell laptop.

IPB Image View: Microsoft Blog Entry and Demo

IPB Image View: Original Blog Entry
IPB Image News source: c|net News
Singh400
Just looks like they've merged Vista and Surface.
Taco Bell
Yeah, basically Singh, but unlike Surface this will bring it to the masses in the not too distant future and for a reasonable price.

It will also allow a much larger set of developers to make use of the technology.
Chugworth
It kind of irks me that so far Microsoft is touting multi-touch as one of the biggest Windows 7 features. You don't need a new version of Windows for that. A company could come out and write a multi-touch driver for Windows Vista, Windows XP, or hell, even Windows 98.

That's basically what Microsoft has shown us so far with Windows 7: Windows Vista with a multi-touch driver. But hey, multi-touch Paint is a Windows 7 exclusive! ohmy.gif

I really don't like the idea of having a smudged-up, scratched-up screen either.
Taco Bell
You make some valid points there Chug, but I'm sure there will be better features to toute as time goes on.
Phonics Monkey
Don't get fingerprints on my Touch Screen...

*Snicker*
Chugworth
QUOTE(Phonics Monkey @ May 30 2008, 06:54) *

Don't get fingerprints on my Touch Screen...

*Snicker*

Well my laptop has a touchscreen that I never use because I don't want to get fingerprints on it. I HATE fingerprints on a computer screen.
Hasin
Stylus ... Multiple Stylussesesese ....s
Pr0digy
No big deal really, but something to look forward to.
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