Microsoft Shows Off Touch in Windows 7
I’m still not sold on the multi-touch implementation coming out of Redmond. Oh, I like touch computing; that’s not the issue. To me it’s a question of what situations are best suited for touch and it feels like (ha!) Microsoft figures any and all situations are optimal. I find that multi-touch on a trackpad is far more useful: My arms and hands are already in place to use the feature. For the vast majority of Windows users, I’d argue that touch on a display adds more value with handheld devices or computers where you don’t have to constantly reach out to poke, prod and twist your fingers on a vertical-facing screen. But that’s just me and it’s arguable, of course.
There’s no argument that the upcoming multitouch support in Windows 7 looks to be in good shape, as shown by the Windows Touch Team in the above video. The question now is: Will it justify more expensive hardware from a consumer perspective?
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I would encourage you to attend or view a seminar from the experience design team at Microsoft. I think you will find that they don’t think touch is good for everything. And if you’ll check the price on HP’s touchsmart lappie, you’ll find its not that more expensive.
I agree with lhamilton. I’ve not seen anything from Microsoft that suggests that touch can be applied to any PC or laptop. Instead, they always give specific examples like a tablet or a kitchen PC. I’m sure they are well aware of the limitations of touch in a standard desktop environment.
I hear what you’re saying (both of you). It’s simply my impression, i.e. “it feels like (ha!) Microsoft figures any and all situations are optimal.” It feels like that to me because vastly improved touch support (and multi-touch) is one of the newest, most oft-talked about features in Windows 7. It’s as if it’s the big differentiator. I’m not suggesting it shouldn’t be, but it seems to me like the spotlight of a widespread operating system is on a niche feature that’s optimal for a small percentage of systems and use cases. Just my impression, of course.
if touch will sell more windows 7, then of course they’re going to make a point to talk about it. touch is the current hot thing. it’s got to be a large reason that many people are buying iphones and stuff like that.
even if touch isn’t optimal for the standard keyboard & vertical screen implementation of a computer doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included. if it’s included, then computer manufacturers are free to create interesting devices to use the new capabilities. whether or not they will is another topic =(.
personally, i’m hoping we’ll see some keyboardless slate and clamshell computers that rely completely on touch and a virtual keyboard, like the OLPC 2 prototype.
Touch / tablet features could generally work with desktop monitors, if the monitors are allowed to swivel between vertical and horizontal positions. When a user swivels the monitor to a near horizontal or plain horizontal postion (like a drafting board), he should be able to do extensive touch related work on his computer comfortably, and without becoming fatigued.
I think touch will largely displace the keyboard and the mouse over time, because the interface is so much more generally efficient and intuitive than the keyboard and the mouse. In time we’ll see.