Microsoft unveils Windows 7 with touch screen software that could signal the end for the mouse

Microsoft unveils Windows 7 with touch screen software that could signal the end for the mouse

By Mark Prigg
Last updated at 10:22 AM on 08th January 2009

Microsoft has revealed a new touch-screen operating system that may spell the end for the computer mouse.

The test version of the new Windows 7 software will be available for free from next week.

It will allow users to control their computers using their finger on a touch sensitive screen, rather than with a keyboard and mouse.


Upgrade: Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer unveils Windows 7 at the Las Vegas conference. The new technology will allow users to manipulate the screen with their fingers

The software - which experts say is critical to the future of the company - aims to take on Apple, which has enjoyed huge sales of its Macintosh computers.

The launch comes two years after Microsoft released the last major upgrade, Vista, which was branded a disaster by many.

Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer, who took over last year from founder Bill Gates, unveiled Windows 7 at a computer show in Las Vegas and announced a free "beta" version was available for download.

The company pledged Windows 7 would be faster and less likely to crash. It has signed up Facebook and photo sharing site Flickr, so users can easily update their status or upload pictures using on-screen menus rather than having to visit a website.


The touch-screen operating system may spell the end for the mouse

The software will also work with the latest mini-notebooks, known as webbooks.

John Curran, head of Windows at Microsoft UK, said: "We have been very careful to build Windows 7 on top of Vista so that people's software and peripherals like printers will work without any problems."

Experts highlighted the importance of the software to Microsoft. Tom Royal, of Computeractive magazine, said: " Windows 7 is absolutely critical. The company had a huge PR disaster when it launched Vista, and on day one the software simply didn't work very well.

"Admittedly the company has since addressed most of the issues, but it still has to win back a lot of users, and it is absolutely crucial that Windows 7 works perfectly right from the day it is released."

The "beta" test version not the final one and Microsoft has not committed to a release date but it is expected to be available this year.

Mr Royal said Apple's success had caused problems for the Seattle computer-giant.

"Apple has really targeted Microsoft in its advertising, positioning itself as a computer that 'just works'. I think that has really hurt Microsoft, and Apple sales, particularly for laptops, are doing better than ever."

Touchscreen technology has been available for at least three years but has so far failed to take off.

Roll over Vista, No 7 is faster and ... reliable

First Review: Windows 7 ***

When you load up Windows 7, the first thing that hits you is the speed and responsiveness of the software.

Along with most users of Windows Vista, the previous version, I'm fairly used to clicking and then waiting while the machine slowly churns away, has a bit of a think, then, maybe, if I'm lucky, actually does something.

With Windows 7, even in its test form, that has disappeared and the software feels positively fast.

The graphics are excellent and there are some nice touches, such as being able easily to update your Facebook or Twitter status.

The on-screen interface is pretty much the same, although a little slicker, and - possibly unsurprisingly - a little more like Apple's rival software.

Overall, this isn't a revolutionary piece of software but it does work well and - crucially for Microsoft - reliably.

It isn't going to change the world but it will, hopefully, mean you'll shout at your computer a lot less.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1109027/Microsoft-unveils-Windows-7-touch-screen-software-signal-end-mouse.html